Cognizant Technology Solutions has begun familiarising select executives with advanced workforce-management tools such as ProHance, signalling a renewed focus on micro-level productivity tracking across certain delivery teams. According to internal reports, the company recently rolled out a training module explaining how the tool measures system activity using mouse and keyboard inputs—an approach now common across the IT and services industry.
How the Tool Tracks Employee Activity
The internal course outlines clear thresholds. Employees may be marked “idle” after five minutes of no mouse or keyboard movement and “away from system” if the inactivity extends to 15 minutes. Though these time limits may differ by project, Cognizant’s intention appears to be creating a more standardised way of measuring workforce activity across teams.
Beyond basic tracking, the module describes how ProHance maps work patterns, breaks, and time spent on specific tasks or websites. This data is typically used to analyse workflow design, eliminate bottlenecks, and identify opportunities for operational optimisation.
Cognizant Clarifies: Not Linked to Performance Evaluation
Cognizant has emphasised that, at this stage, ProHance data will not be used for individual performance assessment. Instead, the company says the goal is to improve project-level efficiency rather than monitor employees in a punitive way.
This clarification comes amid rising global scrutiny around workplace surveillance, especially as hybrid and remote work models continue to evolve.
Wider Industry Context: How ProHance Fits In
Tools like ProHance and Sapience have become standard across sectors including IT, retail, and real-estate services. They offer visibility into metrics such as system time, time spent on project-critical tools, and gaps in productivity—helping organisations optimise utilisation, reduce process variations, and better plan staffing.
ProHance’s impact is well-documented. Cognizant reportedly saved around $8 million in a single year by using the tool, mainly through increased productivity and more efficient workflow management.
Looking Ahead
As IT firms face mounting pressure to boost delivery efficiency, such monitoring tools are becoming integral to workforce planning. While employee concerns over digital surveillance remain valid, the industry’s challenge will be balancing transparency, trust, and optimisation—ensuring that productivity insights enhance operations without compromising workplace morale.
