The ability to accurately determine the workability and board life of mortars has been an important goal of the cement industry. This paper describes a new approach for more accurate determinations of the workability and board life, as well as other mortar properties, which has recently been developed. This simple approach uses a computerized mechanical apparatus to numerically measure the properties of fresh mortar. Data derived from this method have been shown to correlate well with characteristics observed by a professional mason during parallel tests. This new device provides results that are more reproducible, reliable, and accurate than results from periodic penetration tests.