The Effort Tracking System is a centralized repository of information on personnel’s committed effort, actual effort and other activities. As WCMC uses a plan confirmation system (annual confirmation) for certifying effort with the federal government, the ETS should be used to record fluctuations in effort throughout a fiscal year so the year end certification and quarterly informational reports accurately reflect the actual effort expended for any given project. It therefore makes keeping track of and reporting effort more efficient for PI's and administrators, and its use is required by WCMC for all departments. ETS supplements, but does not replace, the "Activity Distribution Report" certification sent by the Department of Finance.