{"id":45647,"date":"2021-05-27T15:38:20","date_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furious-squad.com\/why-track-your-business-by-progress-rather-than-by-invoice\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T15:59:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T13:59:53","slug":"business-progress-tracking-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furious-squad.com\/en\/business-progress-tracking-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Why track your business activity by progress rather than by billing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are fortunate to work with a wide range of companies, from dynamic startups and creative agencies to innovative digital services firms, bold advertisers, and expert consultancies. Through this diversity, we have been able to create a comprehensive and accurate overview of the trends we\u2019ve observed in activity tracking. Interestingly, the majority of companies with fewer than 20 employees opt for an invoicing-based approach, while agencies with more than 100 employees choose a completely different direction. <\/p>\n

The professional world is constantly evolving, and the methods for staying up to date on various ongoing projects and assignments are no exception. But then, why prioritize progress over billing? What are the concrete benefits for your company and for each member of your team? <\/p>\n

Furious, with its experience and expertise, is committed to providing you with the answers to these crucial questions. We\u2019re here to guide you and work with you to chart a course toward more precise and vibrant project management<\/a>. From drafting reports to creating dynamic diagrams, setting clear milestones, and holding weekly follow-up meetings, we\u2019re here to help you solve any problems you encounter and optimize your processes. <\/p>\n

By using percentages to track the progress of your projects, holding weekly meetings to update your charts, and using colors to illustrate how your projects are progressing, you\u2019ll be able to see at a glance where you stand and what still needs to be done. This will help every member of your team understand their role and workload, ensuring that goals are met and projects are successfully completed. <\/p>\n

At Furious, we\u2019re convinced that this progress-oriented approach is the key to understanding and managing both workflow and associated costs. So come discover how we can help you transform your work methods, and together, shape the future of project management<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Activity Tracking for Billing
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What\u2019s that all about? It means that all production tracking is based on the number of invoices sent to customers per year. Revenue is generally calculated at the end of the year. Jean-Mi, the accountant, quickly asks for an update on the latest invoices sent out (you know, those last few weeks of December when all the managers and directors are invoicing like crazy after a warning from BigBoss or our beloved CFO) in order to reconcile the figures with revenue. <\/p>\n

December is the time of year when PCA and FACE forms need to be filled out for accounting purposes. Curiously enough, it\u2019s also the best month of the year for these agencies\u2026 <\/p>\n

The advantage? This tracking method is simple and hassle-free: just add up the invoices you’ve sent and forward them to accounting. <\/p>\n

The downside? It’s an accounting-based view that’s far removed from reality. <\/p>\n

Example: Imagine that you\u2019re behind on billing certain customers. You might think the company is struggling; and if you\u2019re ahead of schedule, you might be tempted to believe\u2014wrongly\u2014that you\u2019re doing well\u2026 <\/p>\n

But the worst part is that you run the risk of a several-week\u2014or even several-month\u2014discrepancy between reality and what this tracking method leads you to believe\u2026 #failed<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.furious-squad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ezgif-2-e00a13f123.mp4<\/p>\n

Another significant risk (and we know this has probably already happened to you\u2026 Otherwise, you\u2019re really lucky!): you\u2019ve made more progress on the project than the client has paid for\u2026 And the client is holding you hostage to get more time than they\u2019ve paid for.<\/p>\n

In short, we usually switch to progress tracking after a project goes wrong\u2026<\/p>\n

Progress Tracking<\/h2>\n

Here, we no longer track the invoicing status for clients; instead, we track the actual progress of the project.<\/p>\n

So if the project is 50% complete \u2192 we’re halfway through the project.<\/p>\n

It all becomes clear, since the sum of the projects\u2019 progress gives you the true production level in real time. And thus, your company\u2019s actual revenue IN REAL TIME! Say goodbye to tedious reviews of PCA and FAE\u2026 <\/p>\n

So, in real time, you can see everything: delays and advances in billing, project risks, customer risks, risks related to understaffing or overstaffing, and so on.<\/p>\n

No more surprises: everything becomes simpler and clearer, and the long-term outlook is obvious.<\/p>\n

But how do you do it? There\u2019s nothing magical or impossible about it. Tracking a project\u2019s progress in real time requires a robust methodology. This explains, in particular, why this method is used in the vast majority of cases by the most structured companies\u2014and therefore those of a certain size. <\/p>\n

What a shame\u2014a small agency that focused on progress would grow more steadily and thus have a better chance of achieving successful growth!<\/p>\n

In fact, based on experience, companies tend to wait until they reach 30 to 50 employees before they realize there\u2019s a problem. That\u2019s the point where you can no longer keep everything under control, and so you lose that intuitive sense of what\u2019s going on. <\/p>\n

It’s far too late, because at this point it’s becoming difficult to change the habits of the entire agency!<\/p>\n

The Benefits of a Progress-Oriented Approach to Project Monitoring<\/h3>\n

Tracking a project by progress rather than by billing offers numerous advantages that can significantly improve the management and execution of your projects. Here\u2019s why this approach can be beneficial for you: <\/p>\n