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Time and Assignment Decoupling – January 2026 Update

On January 15th, 2026, BigTime Resource Management introduces an important update: Time and Assignment Decoupling.

This change separates scheduled work (assignments) from tracked time (actuals) to provide a more transparent, more flexible, and more predictable user experience.

The update removes several legacy limitations and simplifies scheduling for all teams that use Resource Management.

Why We’re Making This Change

A legacy model that no longer fit modern needs

The previous system connected time entries directly to assignments. This model came from legacy architecture, where it ensured data consistency and automated cost/bill rate handling. 

The purpose of decoupling

The previous assignment-to-time-entry model linked scheduling directly with actuals, which limited flexibility.  The new approach cleanly separates scheduling from actuals, providing more precise data and a more consistent experience.

What Changes for You

1. Cleaner, simpler scheduling

Assignments will now show scheduled hours only. Tracked time (actual hours) will no longer appear on assignment tiles or calendars. No more overlapping green tiles or confusing visual clutter.

2. No more ghost entries or auto-created assignments

Assignments will appear only when you create them. Nothing will be added automatically by the system, and nothing will appear due to time entry creation.

3. Editable bill rates at all times

Since time entries are no longer tied to assignments, bill rates on assignments will always remain editable — even after time has been tracked. This makes resourcing and forecasting significantly easier.

4. Assignments can be safely removed

Because tracked time does not depend on assignments anymore, you can delete outdated assignments without affecting reporting or existing time entries.

5. A simplified, more intuitive experience for new users

Your teams will no longer see confusing multi-layered assignment blocks or unexplained green tiles. The scheduling interface becomes easier to understand, teach, and onboard.

What Stays the Same

Some core areas remain unchanged to ensure continuity:

  • Heatmaps and capacity views
  • All tracked time and the accuracy of actuals
  • Project Performance Report (backend changes only, no visible change in data)

These updates do not alter how actual time is logged or how it appears in analytics.

Reporting Updates

The Scheduled vs. Actual Report will receive a minor redesign to reflect the new structure and emphasize task-level comparison. All other reporting will continue to function normally.

How This Makes Life Easier

A more predictable system

You control your assignments. Nothing unexpected appears. Nothing disappears due to time entry behavior.

Fewer blockers in daily work

  • No more locked bill rates
  • No more duplicate assignments
  • No more calendar clutter
  • No more hesitation about deleting assignments

A foundation for future improvements

Decoupling enables us to deliver long-requested enhancements, including the upcoming Grid Editor, which will provide spreadsheet-style planning with full keyboard navigation.

API Changes (If You Integrate with RM API)

As part of this release:

  • Assignment endpoints will return scheduling-only data.
  • Time entry data will be available only through the Delivery API.
  • Legacy assignment-linked actuals will no longer populate reporting endpoints.

Developers have until January 13th, 2026, to update their integrations. Please refer to the following documentation: API Changes - Assignment Time Entry Decoupling


 

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