Do startups really need Timesheet software to track employees and project performance?

Generally timesheet have both advantages and disadvantages in business.
Advantage:
1. Well, timesheet can help you and after completing the task you will know exactly that what activities you have spent and for how long you have spent on it.
2. The data will assemble electronically in timesheet so you can also retrieve the data anytime in the future for references.
3. Time tracking also keeps project scope and budget under control. It admits data to be conveyed to text files, spreadsheets and it also expedites management to share time critical information as well.
4. Employee time tracking is highly critical in running a profitable and productive business. With employee time tracking software, you can ensure high employee performance and productivity as well as improved allocation of human resources.
5. Timesheet has the capability of scheduling that allows the supervisors to keep a time table for every employee. By using this software, you can surely and definitely balance and keep track of work orders.
Disadvantage: Timesheet is a waste of time and money for start up.

Do startups really need Timesheet software to track employees and project performance?

More so in a business where you are selling labour - like it support, legal, etc.

I used to work in a company that spent a lot of time and effort implementing employee tracking software. Some people liked to spend more time figuring out ways to defeat the trackers than doing the work. Yes it was all recorded and noted but guess what happened to overall productivity?

Don't bother with software unless it's mission critical for team working. Just manage people and tasks properly.

I created a tracking system for one of my old companies. It was brilliant but I hated it. Every element they wanted they got but every element was just a waste of their employees time. Lazy leadership was the cause and disgruntled staff was the result.

Software should only ever help a business but these things don't unless the entire system is integrated and without user involvement. Use whatever KPI's you can to manage your workers performance but don't make them work harder to help you manage performance.

Just my opinion of course!

i would definitely say a big NO to using time sheet for a startup. it is a startup, meaning a small team. All you need to worry about is getting your prototype out the door as fast as possible. Anything that hinders that process and takes time away from it, should not be used. If you are the founder, you need to know what everyone is working on; you should not be relaying on time sheet for such information. Screw all HR related stuff until you pass the operational risk and get few major clients under your belt.