A simple timer for each phase of the game..So the players
can set a time limit for every phase.. if the time runs out
then the next phase is moved on to and no changes are
done.
example.
Tech pahse: 1 minute
Purchase phase: 2 minutes
Combat: 5 minutes
non-combat: 5 minutes
Place units: 1.5 minutes
it sure makes things easier, rather than someone spending
10 minutes during a purchase phase lets say... planning out
their attack.
The timer idea also derived from playing chess.