PMI Scheduling Terms
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Complete list of Terms and Definitions for PMI Scheduling Terms

Terms Definitions
The process of estimating the types and quantities of resources required to perform each schedule activity. Activity Resource Estimating [Process]
The sum of the products, services, and results to be provided as a project Scope
The person or organization that will use the project’s product or service or result. SEE ALSO User
A short phrase or label for each project, used in conjunction with the project identifier to differentiate a particular project from other projects in a program. Sometimes also known as project title. Project Name
The latest possible point in time associated with the completion of the last schedule activity of the project. Project Late Finish Date
A measure of schedule performance on a project. It is the algebraic difference between the earned value (EV) and the planned value (PV) SV EV minus PV SEE ALSO Earned Value Technique (EVT)
A subdivision (fragment) of a project schedule network diagram, usually representing a subproject or a work package. Often used to illustrate or study some potential or proposed schedule condition, such as changes in preferential schedule logic or project SEE ALSO Summary Activity
A document established by consensus and approved by a recognized body that provides rules, guidelines, or characteristics for activities or their results, for common and repeated use, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given cont Standard
The amount of work physically completed on the project or task. This may be different from the amount of effort or money expended on the project or task Predetermined techniques of claiming physical work progress that were selected during project planning Physical Work Progress
The state, quality, or sense of being restricted to a given course of action or inaction. An applicable restriction or limitation, either internal or external to the project, that will affect the performance of the project or a process. For example, a sch Constraint [Input]
A limitation or restraint placed on the project early start date that affects when the project must start and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. Project Start Constraint
Shortening the project schedule duration without reducing the project scope SEE ALSO Crashing and Fast Tracking
A field of work requiring specific knowledge and that has a set of rules governing work conduct (e.g., mechanical engineering, computer programming, cost estimating, etc.) Discipline
Something tangible, such as a template or software program, used in performing an activity to produce a product or result. Tool
A document that specifies, in a complete, precise, verifiable manner, the requirements, design, behavior, or other characteristics of a system, component, product, result, or service and, often, the procedures for determining whether these provisions have Specification
A system of practices, techniques, procedures and rules used by project scheduling schedulers. This methodology can be performed either manually or with project management software specifically used for scheduling. Scheduling Method
The unit cost rate assigned to a specific resource, including known rate escalations. Resource Rate
The planned dates for performing schedule activities and the planned dates for meeting schedule milestones. This term is also used with a modifier, such as early, late, current, baseline, resource limited, milestone, or target to identify various instance SEE ALSO, schedule model.
A short unique numeric or text identification assigned to each work breakdown structure (WBS) element or component to differentiate a particular WBS element from other WBS elements. The WBS Element Identifier is typically unique within any complete work b WBS Element Identifier
Any form of schedule network analysis in which scheduling decisions (start and finish dates) are driven by resource constraints (e.g., limited resource availability or difficult-to-manage changes in resource availability levels) ALSO Resource- Limited Schedule and Schedule Network Analysis
Any unique and verifiable product, result, or capability to perform a service that must be produced to complete a process, phase, or project Deliverable [Output/Input]
A modification of a logical relationship that allows an acceleration of the successor activity. For example, in a finish-to-start dependency with a ten-day lead, the successor activity can start ten days before the predecessor activity has finished. A neg Lead [Technique]
The total number of work periods in calendar units assigned to perform the schedule activity, considering all of the variables that could affect performance, and is determined to be the shortest possible duration. Optimistic Duration
The current estimate of the point in time when a schedule activity will be completed, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress SEE ALSO Scheduled Finish Date, Activity Current Finish Date, and Project Current Finish Date
A point in time associated with a schedule activity’s start, usually qualified by one of the following: actual, planned, estimated, scheduled, early, late, target, baseline, or current Start Date
A unique designation that differentiates a resource by skills, capabilities or other attributes. Resource Type
An artifact that is produced, is quantifiable, and can be either an end item in itself or a component item. Additional words for products are materiel and goods Product
The current estimate of the point in time when the last schedule activity in the project will be completed, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress SEE ALSO Current Finish Date, Project Scheduled Finish Date, and Project Baseline Finish Date
A point in time associated with the completion of a schedule activity in a project Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, expected, late, mandatory, scheduled, or target SEE ALSO Finish Date
The current estimate of the point in time when the last schedule activity in the project will be completed, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress Project Current Finish Date
A component of work performed during the course of a project Activity
The latest possible point in time when the schedule activity can begin without violating a schedule constraint or delaying the project end date Activity Late Start Date
A dynamic representation of the project’s plan for executing the project’s activities developed by the project team’s applying the scheduling method to a scheduling tool using project specific data such as activity lists and activity attributes. The Schedule Model [Tool]
Total costs actually incurred and recorded in accomplishing work performed during a given time period for a schedule activity or work breakdown structure component Actual cost can sometimes be direct labor hours alone, direct costs alone, or all costs inc Actual Cost (AC)
Standards, rules, or tests on which a judgment or decision can be based, or by which a product, service, result, or process can be evaluated. Criteria
The features and functions that characterize a product, service or result SEE ALSO Scope
A calendar of working days or shifts that establishes those dates on which schedule activities are worked and nonworking days that determine those dates on which schedule activities are idle. Typically defines holidays, weekends, and shift hours Project Calendar
Support-type activity (e.g., seller or customer liaison, project cost accounting, project management, etc.), which does not produce definitive end products. It is generally characterized by a uniform rate of work performance over a period of time determin Level of Effort (LOE)
Usually the project calendar, or another specifically defined calendar from the calendar library, assigned to the schedule activity which defines the work periods and non-work periods in calendar format The activity calendar, on the schedule activities to Activity Calendar
A point in time associated with the beginning of the schedule activity in a project. Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, late, scheduled, or target SEE ALSO Start Date
A collection of logically related project activities, usually culminating in the completion of a major deliverable. Project phases (also called phases) are mainly completed sequentially, but can overlap in some project situations. Phases can be subdivided Project Phase
The total number of work periods in calendar units, between the data date of the project schedule and the project early finish date of a project that has at least one activity actual start date. This represents the time needed to complete a project where Project Remaining Duration
In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time that a schedule activity may begin based upon the schedule network logic, the project completion date, and any constraints assigned to the schedule activities without violating a schedule cons SEE ALSO Activity Late Start Date, Project Late Start Date
The technique of identifying early and late start dates, as well as early and late finish dates, for the uncompleted portions of project schedule activities SEE ALSO Backward Pass, Critical Path Method, Critical Chain Method, and Resource Leveling
The expected cost needed to complete all the remaining work for a schedule activity, work breakdown structure component, or the project SEE ALSO Earned Value Technique (EVT), Estimate at Completion (EAC)
A term representing the day, month, and year of a calendar, and, in some instances, the time of day. Date
The point in time associated with the beginning of the schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline Activity Baseline Start Date
The current estimate of the point in time when the schedule activity will be completed, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress SEE ALSO Activity Scheduled Finish Date; Activity Baseline Finish Date; Current Finish Date
Total costs actually incurred and recorded in accomplishing work performed during a given time period for a schedule activity or work breakdown structure component Actual cost can sometimes be direct labor hours alone, direct costs alone, or all costs inc SEE ALSO, Earned Value Technique (EVT)
The estimated cost* for the entire project. Project Cost Estimate
In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time on which the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity (or the project) can start, based on the schedule network logic, the data date, and any schedule constraints Early start dates can ch SEE ALSO Activity Early Start Date and Project Early Start Date
An analytical technique that uses three cost or duration estimates to represent the optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic scenarios, This technique is applied to improve the accuracy of the estimates of cost or duration when the underlying activity or Three-Point Estimate [Technique]
The current estimate of the point in time when the schedule activity will begin, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress Activity Current Start Date
It may reflect resource leveling of scarce resources Sometimes called activity planned finish date
The point in time at which work actually began on the schedule activity Activity Actual Duration SEE ALSO Actual Duration
A graphic display of schedule-related information In the typical bar chart, schedule activities or work breakdown structure components are listed down the left side of the chart, dates are shown across the top, and activity durations are shown as date- pl Also called a Gantt chart.
The total number of work periods (not including holidays or other nonworking periods) required to complete a schedule activity or work breakdown structure component or project Usually expressed as work-hours, workdays or workweeks. Some- times incorrectly Duration (DU or DUR)
A category of projects that have common components significant in such projects, but are not needed or present in all projects. Application areas are usually defined in terms of either the product (i.e., by similar technologies or production methods) or t Application Area
A rectangular shaped graphical display object used to represent the occurrence of a data component in a document, such as, a schedule activity in a bar chart whose length is determined by the activity start and end dates corresponding to the timescale use Bar
The earliest possible point in time when the uncompleted portion of the schedule activity can be completed Activity Early Finish Date
The activity duration originally assigned to a schedule activity and not updated as progress is reported on the activity. Typically used for comparison with activity actual duration and activity remaining duration when reporting schedule progress. Normall Activity Original Duration
The latest possible point in time when the schedule activity can be completed without violating a schedule constraint or delaying the project end date Activity Late Finish Date
The point in time when work was scheduled to begin on the project. The project scheduled start date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the project early start date and the project late start date It may reflect start resource leveling of s SEE ALSO Project Current Start Date, Scheduled Start Date
A series of steps followed in a regular definitive order to accomplish something. Procedure
Often used more narrowly in reference to an external deliverable, which is a deliverable that is subject to approval by the project sponsor or customer
A short unique numeric or text identification assigned to each specific resource to differentiate that resource from other resources. Resource identifiers are typically unique within any one project. Resource Identifier
The current estimate of the point in time when the schedule activity will be completed, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress Activity Current Finish Date
The expected total cost of a schedule activity, a work breakdown structure component, or the project when the defined scope of work will be completed. EAC is equal to the actual cost (AC) plus the estimate to complete (ETC) for all of the remaining work. SEE ALSO Earned Value Technique (EVT), Estimate to Complete (ETC)
The current estimate of the point in time when a schedule activity will begin, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress Current Start Date
A schedule adopted for comparison purposes during schedule network analysis, which can be different from the baseline schedule SEE ALSO Baseline
A medium and the information recorded thereon, that generally has permanence and can be read by a person or a machine Examples include project management plans, specifications, procedures, studies, and manuals. Document
A condition or capability that must be met or possessed by a system, product, service, result, or component to satisfy a contract, standard, specification, or other formally imposed documents. Requirements include the quantified and documented needs, want Requirement
A specific type of project schedule compression technique performed by taking action to decrease the total project schedule duration after analyzing a number of alternatives to determine how to get the maximum schedule duration compression for the least a Crashing [Technique]
In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time on which the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity (or the project) can finish, based on the schedule network logic, the data date, and any schedule constraints. Early finish dates can Early Finish Date (EF)
A defined systematic procedure employed by a human resource to perform an activity to produce a product or result or deliver a service, and that may employ one or more tools. Technique
The smallest unit of time used in scheduling the project. Calendar units are generally in hours, days, or weeks, but can also be in quarter years, months, shifts, or even in minutes. Calendar Unit
A schedule network diagramming technique. in which schedule activities are represented by arrows. The tail of the arrow represents the start, and the head represents the finish of the schedule activity. (The length of the arrow does not represent the expe SEE ALSO Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
The point in time when work was scheduled to complete on a project. The project scheduled finish date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the project early finish date and the project late finish date. It may reflect finish resource levelin Project Scheduled Finish Date
Also referred to as the earning rules and crediting method
A horizontal display area in the document body representing one data component or piece of information, such as an activity group or resource group. Report Row
A deliverable or project work component at the lowest level of each branch of the work breakdown structure. The work package includes the schedule activities and schedule milestones required to complete the work package deliverable or project work compone Work Package
The point in time when work was scheduled to start on a schedule activity, The scheduled start date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the early start date and the late start date It may reflect resource leveling of scarce resources. Somet Scheduled Start Date (SS)
The current estimate of the point in time when a schedule activity will be completed, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress Current Finish Date
Multiple attributes associated with each schedule activity that can be included within the activity list Activity Attributes [Output/Input]
Sustained physical or mental effort, exertion, or exercise of skill to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective. Work
A smaller portion of the overall project created when a project is subdivided into more manageable components or pieces, Subprojects are usually represented in the work breakdown structure, A subproject can be referred to as a project, managed as a projec Subproject
Documented narrative summary of the project scope statement. Project Description
Skilled human resources (specific disciplines either individually or in crews or teams), equipment, services, supplies, commodities, budgets, or funds. Resource
The total number of work periods in calendar units between the activity actual start date of the schedule activity and either the data date of the project schedule, if the schedule activity is in progress, or the activity actual finish date, if the schedu
The number of labor units required to complete a schedule activity or work breakdown structure component Usually expressed as staff hours, staff days, or staff weeks Effort
The earliest possible point in time associated with the completion of the last schedule activity of the project SEE ALSO Early Finish Date
The initial estimate of the total number of work periods in calendar units needed to complete a project Typically determined from the initial longest network path though the project. Project Original Duration
A modification of a logical relationship that allows an acceleration of the successor activity. For example, in a finish-to-start dependency with a ten-day lead, the successor activity can start ten days before the predecessor activity has finished. A neg SEE ALSO Lag
The percent of the resource duration that the assigned resource is estimated to apply to the work of the schedule activity. Resource Application
The time in calendar units between the actual start date of the schedule activity and either the data date of the project schedule if the schedule activity is in progress or the actual finish date if the schedule activity is complete SEE ALSO Activity Actual Duration and Project Actual Duration
The linkage of one or more resources to a schedule activity and identification of the amount of each resource that is needed to accomplish the work on that schedule activity. Resource Assignment
The total number of work periods in calendar units between the activity baseline start date and activity baseline finish date of a schedule activity as deter- mined by its approved project schedule baseline. Activity Baseline Duration
A dependency between two project schedule activities, or between a project schedule activity and a schedule milestone. The four possible types of logical relationships are: Finish-to-Start; Finish-to-Finish; Start-to-Start; and Start-to-Finish SEE ALSO Precedence Relationship, Finish-to-Finish (FF), Finish-to-Start (FS), Start-to-Finish, and Start-to-Start
The longest sequence of schedule activities in a project team member specified schedule network path SEE ALSO Critical Path
A point in time associated with the completion of the last schedule activity in a project. Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, late, scheduled, or target SEE ALSO Finish Date
A short unique numeric or text identification assigned to each schedule activity to differentiate that project activity from other activities Typically unique within any one project schedule network diagram.
The amount of time that a schedule activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any immediately following schedule activities SEE ALSO Total Float (TF)
A subdivision of a phase. Subphase
The monetary value or price of a project activity or component that includes the monetary worth of the resources required to perform and complete the activity or component, or to produce the component. A specific cost can be composed of a combination of c SEE ALSO Actual Cost (AC), Estimate
The limit below which total float is considered near critical is subject to expert judgment and varies from project to project.
The process of reviewing all change requests, approving changes, and controlling changes to deliverables and organizational process assets. Integrated Change Control [Process]
(Note: In some application areas, the schedule activity is considered ‘‘finished’’ when work is ‘‘substantially complete.’’)
A subdivision (fragment) of a project schedule network diagram, usually representing a subproject or a work package. Often used to illustrate or study some potential or proposed schedule condition, such as changes in preferential schedule logic or project Subnetwork
The features and functions that characterize a product, service or result Product Scope
The logical relationship where completion of the successor schedule activity is dependent upon the initiation of the predecessor schedule activity SEE ALSO Logical Relationship
The latest possible point in time when the schedule activity can begin without violating a schedule constraint or delaying the project end date SEE ALSO Late Start Date
The logical relationship where initiation of the work of the successor schedule activity depends upon the initiation of the work of the predecessor schedule activity Start-to-Start (SS)
A term for work whose meaning and placement within a structured plan for project work varies by the application area, industry, and brand of project management software. Task
One of the defining points of a schedule network; a junction point joined to some or all of the other dependency lines Node
The earliest possible point in time when the uncompleted portion of the schedule activity can be completed SEE ALSO Early Finish Date
The monetary value or price of a project activity or component that includes the monetary worth of the resources required to perform and complete the activity or component, or to produce the component. A specific cost can be composed of a combination of c Cost
The point in time associated with the beginning of the first schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline* SEE ALSO Project Current Start Date
A modification of a logical relationship that directs a delay in the successor activity. For example, in a finish-to-start dependency with a ten-day lag, the successor activity cannot start until ten days after the predecessor activity has finished Lag [Technique]
The sum of the products, services, and results to be provided as a project SEE ALSO Project Scope and Product Scope.
A specific type of project schedule compression technique performed by taking action to decrease the total project schedule duration after analyzing a number of alternatives to determine how to get the maximum schedule duration compression for the least a SEE ALSO Fast Tracking, Schedule Compression
A fixed date imposed on a schedule activity or schedule milestone, usually in the form of a ‘‘start no earlier than’’ and ‘‘finish no later than’’ date. Imposed Date
A subdivision of the cost such as, direct cost, indirect cost, and fee. Cost Type
The point in time when work was scheduled to begin on a schedule activity The activity schedule start date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the activity early start date and the activity late start date Activity Scheduled Start Date
The calculation of late finish dates and late start dates for the uncompleted portions of all schedule activities. Determined by working backwards through the schedule network logic from the project’s end date. The end date may be calculated in a forwar SEE ALSO Schedule Network Analysis
A modification of a logical relationship that directs a delay in the successor activity. For example, in a finish-to-start dependency with a ten-day lag, the successor activity cannot start until ten days after the predecessor activity has finished SEE ALSO Lead
The type of material used to store a document. Media consist of hard-copy bound material, hard-copy unbound material, soft-copy material, electronic material, firmware, and software. Medium
The total number of work periods, in calendar units, between the activity early start date and the activity early finish date of a schedule activity Activity Duration
The dates and number of work periods in calendar units that a given resource is available according to the appropriate resource calendar. Resource Availability
A schedule network analysis technique used to deter- mine the amount of scheduling flexibility (the amount of float) on various logical network paths in the project schedule network, and to determine the minimum total project duration. Early start and fin Critical Path Method (CPM) [Technique]
A limitation or restraint placed on the project late finish date that affects when the project must finish and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. Project Finish Constraint
A short text description of a data component in the report. Report Data Description
An output from performing project management processes and activities. Results include outcomes (e.g., integrated systems, revised process, restructured organization, tests, trained personnel, etc.) and documents (e.g., policies, plans, studies, procedure Result
The calculation of the early start and early finish dates for the uncompleted portions of all network activities SEE ALSO Backward Pass, Schedule Network Analysis
The approved estimate for the project or any work breakdown structure component or any schedule activity Budget
A product, result, or service generated by a process May be an input to a successor process.
Technical and quality parameters may also be included Performance Measurement Baseline
The total number of work periods in calendar units to complete a schedule activity. For schedule activities in progress, it includes the activity actual duration plus the activity remaining duration Activity Total Duration
A summary-level schedule that identifies the major schedule mile- stones SEE ALSO Master Schedule
The latest possible point in time associated with the beginning of the first schedule activity of the project. Project Late Start Date
A component of the cost such as, labor cost, equipment cost, and material cost. Cost Component
Multiple attributes associated with each schedule activity that can be included within the activity list Activity attributes include activity codes, predecessor activities, successor activities, logical relationships, leads and lags, resource requirements, imposed dates, constraints, and assumptions.
A documented tabulation of schedule activities that shows the activity description, activity identifier, and a sufficiently detailed activity scope definition for the work so project team members understand what work is to be performed The list may have a Activity List [Output/Input]
The total number of work periods in calendar units between the project early start date and the project early finish date Project Duration
The estimated total number of work periods in calendar units, needed to complete the schedule activity as determined by a specific project target schedule. Activity Target Duration
The approved time phased plan (for a project, a work breakdown structure component, a work package, or a schedule activity), plus or minus approved project scope, cost, schedule, and technical changes. Generally refers to the current baseline, but may ref Baseline
Any continuous series of schedule activities connected with logical relationships in a project schedule network diagram. Network Path
A product, result, or service generated by a process Output [Process Output]
A narrative description of products, services, or results to be supplied Statement of Work (SOW)
A vertical display area in the document body representing one data component or piece of information, such as a project group, activity group, or resource group. Report Column
A set of interrelated actions and activities performed to achieve a specified set of products, results, or services. Process
Also referred to as the actual cost of work performed (ACWP)
The expected total cost of a schedule activity, a work breakdown structure component, or the project when the defined scope of work will be completed. EAC is equal to the actual cost (AC) plus the estimate to complete (ETC) for all of the remaining work. Estimate at Completion (EAC) [Output/Input]
The point in time when work actually ended on a schedule activity (Note: In some application areas, the schedule activity is considered ‘‘finished’’ when work is ‘‘substantially complete.’’) Actual Finish Date (AF)
A dynamic representation of the project’s plan for executing the project’s activities developed by the project team’s applying the scheduling method to a scheduling tool using project specific data such as activity lists and activity attributes. The SEE ALSO Project Schedule
A significant point or event in the project Milestone
A point in time associated with the completion of a schedule activity in a project Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, expected, late, mandatory, scheduled, or target Activity Finish Date
Vertical line from top to bottom of a graphical report such as a bar chart showing the data date in relationship to the timescale and bars. Data Date Line
A constituent part, element, or piece of a complex whole. Component
A deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. It organizes and defines the total scope of the project. Each descending level repr Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) [Output/Input]
A point in time established by schedule network analysis for beginning the schedule activity within a specific version of the project schedule. Activity Target Start Date
A schedule adopted for comparison purposes during schedule network analysis, which can be different from the baseline schedule Target Schedule
The person or organization that will use the project’s product or service or result. Customer
A point in time associated with the completion of the last schedule activity in a project. Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, late, scheduled, or target Project Finish Date
The work that must be performed to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features and functions Project Scope
A logical relationship line drawn within a project schedule network diagram from one schedule activity to one or more other schedule activities indicating the type of logical relationship by the relative position of the beginning and end points of the lin Relationship Line
A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a given duration for a project. Project Duration Variance
A document that specifies, in a complete, precise, verifiable manner, the requirements, design, behavior, or other characteristics of a system, component, product, result, or service and, often, the procedures for determining whether these provisions have Examples are: requirement specification, design specification, product specification, and test specification.
The total number of work periods in calendar units assigned to perform the schedule activity, considering all of the variables that could affect performance, and is determined to be the longest possible activity duration. Pessimistic Duration
The process of controlling changes to the project schedule. Schedule Control [Process]
Typically used for comparison with actual duration and remaining duration when reporting schedule progress
Person or organization (e.g., customer, sponsor, performing organization, or the public) that is actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be positively or negatively affected by execution or completion of the project. A stakeholder may als Stakeholder
In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time that a schedule activity may be completed based upon the schedule network logic, the project completion date, and any constraints assigned to the schedule activities without violating a schedu SEE ALSO Activity Late Finish Date, Project Late Finish Date
Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, estimated, late, planned, scheduled, or target
The earliest possible point in time when the schedule activity can begin SEE ALSO Early Start Date
Any schedule activity on a critical path in a project schedule Most commonly determined by using the critical path method. Although some activities are ‘‘critical,’’ in the dictionary sense, without being on the critical path, this meaning is seld Critical Activity
An output from performing project management processes and activities. Results include outcomes (e.g., integrated systems, revised process, restructured organization, tests, trained personnel, etc.) and documents (e.g., policies, plans, studies, procedure SEE ALSO Deliverable
A designation of the type of quantity being measured, such as work-hours, cubic yards, or lines of code. Unit of Measure
The time in calendar units, (a) equal to the Original Duration for an activity that has not started or (b) between the data date of the project schedule and the finish date of a schedule activity that has an actual start date. This represents the time nee SEE ALSO Activity Remaining Duration, Project Remaining Duration
The total number of work periods in calendar units, (a) equal to the original duration for an activity that has not started or (b) between the data date of the project schedule and the early finish date of a schedule activity that has an activity actual s SEE ALSO Remaining Duration
A project schedule whose schedule activity, scheduled start dates and scheduled finish dates reflect expected resource availability. A resource-limited schedule does not have any early or late start or finish dates. The resource-limited schedule total flo Resource-Limited Schedule
A point in time associated with the beginning of the schedule activity in a project. Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, late, scheduled, or target Activity Start Date
The scheduler-selected point in time established by schedule net- work analysis for completion of a specific version of the project schedule. Project Target Finish Date
Also called slack Float
The logical relationship where completion of work of the successor activity cannot finish until the completion of work of the predecessor activity Finish-to-Finish (FF)
The person or organization that will use the project’s product or service SEE ALSO Customer
The point in time when work was scheduled to begin on the project. The project scheduled start date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the project early start date and the project late start date It may reflect start resource leveling of s Project Scheduled Start Date
Shortening the project schedule duration without reducing the project scope Schedule Compression [Technique]
The value of work performed expressed in terms of the approved budget assigned to that work for a schedule activity or work breakdown structure component. Also referred to as the budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP). Earned Value (EV)
Information and data, on the status of the project schedule activities being performed to accomplish the project work, collected as part of the direct and manage project execution processes. Information includes: status of deliverables; implementation sta Work Performance Information [Output/Input]
The members of the project team who are directly involved in project management activities. On some smaller projects, the project management team may include virtually all of the project team members. Project Management Team
A table or register of dates containing the days of each month and week in one or more years. In project management, each date may be identified as a time span for performing work (work period) or as a time span for not performing work including designate Calendar
It may reflect resource leveling of scarce resources Sometimes called activity planned start date
The approved time phased plan (for a project, a work breakdown structure component, a work package, or a schedule activity), plus or minus approved project scope, cost, schedule, and technical changes. Generally refers to the current baseline, but may ref SEE ALSO Performance Measurement Baseline
The schedule activity that follows a predecessor activity, as determined by their logical relationship. Successor Activity
A visual graphical display using lines and shapes to represent data values, such as project status or forecast information. Graph
A calendar of working days or shifts that establishes those dates on which schedule activities are worked and nonworking days that determine those dates on which schedule activities are idle. Typically defines holidays, weekends, and shift hours SEE ALSO Resource Calendar and Activity Calendar
An entry in the work breakdown structure that can be at any level. Work Breakdown Structure Component
The total number of work periods in calendar units to complete a project. For a project in progress, it includes the project actual duration plus the project remaining duration. Project Total Duration
A categorization designation that differentiates the discrete schedule activities that have different functions within the schedule model, such as, milestone, task, summary, level-of-effort, and dummy. Activity Type
In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time on which the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity (or the project) can start, based on the schedule network logic, the data date, and any schedule constraints Early start dates can ch Early Start Date (ES)
Horizontal and vertical lines within a document corresponding to data components, such as timescale units or rows in a bar chart. Report Gridlines
The time in calendar units between the actual start date of the schedule activity and either the data date of the project schedule if the schedule activity is in progress or the actual finish date if the schedule activity is complete Actual Duration
A table of dates and their associated cumulative probabilities of occurrence for schedule activity completion Dates are derived using analytical techniques such as Monte Carlo calculations When applied to the project end date, the value is equivalent to t Activity Cumulative Probability Risk Distribution
A graphic display of schedule-related information In the typical bar chart, schedule activities or work breakdown structure components are listed down the left side of the chart, dates are shown across the top, and activity durations are shown as date- pl Bar Chart [Tool]
A set of calendars that can be applied to the various schedule activities and resources Calendar Library
The point in time associated with the completion of the last schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline* Project Baseline Finish Date
The point in time set by the project early start date as determined by a schedule network analysis or as established by a project start constraint Sometimes called project start date. Project Begin Date
The date through which the project status and progress were last determined and reported for analyses, such as scheduling and performance measurements. It is the last past historical date. Sometimes called As-of-Date Data Date (DD)
The term used in the precedence diagramming method for a logical relationship In current usage, however, precedence relationship, logical relationship, and dependency are widely used interchangeably, regardless of the diagramming method used SEE ALSO Logical Relationship
Project Time Management includes the processes required to accomplish timely completion of the project The Project Time Management processes include activity definition, activity sequencing, activity resource estimating, activity duration estimating, schedule development, and schedule control.
A dependency between two project schedule activities, or between a project schedule activity and a schedule milestone. The four possible types of logical relationships are: Finish-to-Start; Finish-to-Finish; Start-to-Start; and Start-to-Finish Logical Relationship
The estimated total number of work periods in calendar units, needed to complete the project as determined by a specific project target schedule. Project Target Duration
The learning gained from the process of performing the project. Lessons learned may be identified at any point. Also considered a project record, to be included in the lessons learned knowledge base. Lessons Learned [Output/Input]
The process of identifying the specific schedule activities that need to be performed to produce the various project deliverables. Activity Definition [Process]
Multiple attributes associated with each unique project that can be included within the schedule model. Project attributes include, but may not be limited to project identifier, project name, project description, project scope statement, project calendar, Project Attributes
An estimate, expressed as a percent, of the amount of work that has been completed on the project, measured in terms of physical work progress. Project Physical Percent Complete
The current estimate of the point in time when the first schedule activity in the project will begin, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress SEE ALSO Current Start Date, Project Scheduled Start Date, and Project Baseline Start Date
One of the defining points of a schedule network; a junction point joined to some or all of the other dependency lines SEE ALSO Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) and Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
A measure of schedule efficiency on a project. It is the ratio of earned value (EV) to planned value (PV). The SPI EV divided by PV. An SPI equal to or greater than one indicates a favorable condition and a value of less than one indicates an unfavorable SEE ALSO Earned Value Technique (EVT)
The process of identifying and documenting dependencies among schedule activities. Activity Sequencing [Process]
The longest sequence of schedule activities in a project team member specified schedule network path Specified Critical Path
The point in time when work was scheduled to complete on a schedule activity The activity schedule finish date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the activity early finish date and the activity late finish date SEE ALSO Activity Current Finish Date, Scheduled Finish Date
The work that must be performed to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features and functions SEE ALSO Scope
A significant point or event in the project SEE ALSO Schedule Milestone
The point in time set by the project late finish date as determined by a schedule network analysis or as established by a project finish constraint. Sometimes called project completion date. Project End Date
The person or group that provides the financial resources, in cash or in kind, for the project. Sponsor
The logical relationship where completion of work of the successor activity cannot finish until the completion of work of the predecessor activity SEE ALSO Logical Relationship
The total number of work periods in calendar units, (a) equal to the original duration for an activity that has not started or (b) between the data date of the project schedule and the early finish date of a schedule activity that has an activity actual s Activity Remaining Duration
A schedule activity that has low total float Near-Critical Activity
In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time that a schedule activity may begin based upon the schedule network logic, the project completion date, and any constraints assigned to the schedule activities without violating a schedule cons Late Start Date (LS)
A point in time associated with a schedule activity’s completion SEE ALSO Activity Finish Date and Project Finish Date
The point in time associated with the completion of the schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline SEE ALSO Activity Current Finish Date
A point in time associated with the beginning of the first schedule activity in a project. Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, late, scheduled, or target SEE ALSO Start Date
A graduated marking of linear time, which displays time in specific units such as hours, days, weeks, months, quarters, or years. Timescales can show more than one unit of time. Usually shown above or below the data components within a document or electro Timescale
A management control point where scope, budget (resource plans), actual cost, and schedule are integrated and compared to earned value for performance measurement. Control accounts are placed at selected management points (specific components at selected Control Account (CA) [Tool]
The persons who report either directly or indirectly to the project manager, and who are responsible for performing project work as a regular part of their assigned duties. Project Team Members
A specific technique for measuring the performance of work for a work breakdown structure component, control account, or project SEE ALSO Actual Cost, Estimate at Completion (EAC), and Estimate to Completion (EVC)
The total number of work periods (not including holidays or other nonworking periods) required to complete a schedule activity or work breakdown structure component or project Usually expressed as work-hours, workdays or workweeks. Some- times incorrectly SEE ALSO Activity Duration and Project Duration
An estimate, expressed as the percentage that the activity actual duration is of the activity total duration for a schedule activity that has work in progress. Activity Duration Percent Complete
A schedule constraint placed on the schedule activity that affects when a schedule activity can be scheduled and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. A Start On constraint requires the schedule activity to start on a specific date. Start On
A summary-level schedule that identifies the major schedule mile- stones Milestone Schedule [Tool]
The scheduler-selected point in time established by schedule network analysis for beginning a specific version of the project schedule. Project Target Start Date
A calendar of working days and nonworking days that determines those dates on which each specific resource is idle or can be active. Typically defines resource specific holidays and resource availability periods Resource Calendar
Useful work performed that does not produce a tangible product or result, such as performing any of the business functions supporting production or distribution. Contrast with product and result SEE ALSO Deliverable Slack Total Float (TF) and Free Float (FF)
A significant event in the project schedule, such as an event restraining future work or marking the completion of a major deliverable. A schedule milestone has zero duration Sometimes called a milestone activity Schedule Milestone
The expected cost needed to complete all the remaining work for a schedule activity, work breakdown structure component, or the project Estimate to Complete (ETC) [Output/Input]
A schedule network diagramming technique. in which schedule activities are represented by arrows. The tail of the arrow represents the start, and the head represents the finish of the schedule activity. (The length of the arrow does not represent the expe Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) [Technique]
A specific technique for measuring the performance of work for a work breakdown structure component, control account, or project Earned Value Technique (EVT) [Technique]
The point in time when work actually ended on a schedule activity Actual Finish Date
A project team member-selected set of schedule activities, sharing some common activity attribute that allows the activities to be grouped and reported or displayed sepa- rately, such as being divided in a graphic display from other activities with a hori Activity Group
The total amount of time that a schedule activity may be delayed from its activity early start date or activity early finish date without delaying the project end date, or violating a schedule constraint. Calculated using the critical path method techniqu SEE ALSO Float, Free Float (FF)
A measure of schedule efficiency on a project. It is the ratio of earned value (EV) to planned value (PV). The SPI EV divided by PV. An SPI equal to or greater than one indicates a favorable condition and a value of less than one indicates an unfavorable Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
A short phrase or label for each schedule activity, used in conjunction with an activity identifier to differentiate a project schedule activity from other schedule activities The activity description normally identifies the scope of work of the schedule Activity Description (AD)
Continuously improving and detailing a plan as more detailed and specific information and more accurate estimates become available as the project progresses, and thereby producing more accurate and complete plans that result from the successive iterations Progressive Elaboration [Technique]
The approved estimate for the project or any work breakdown structure component or any schedule activity SEE ALSO Estimate
A project team specified rule for the relative granularity of schedule activities in the overall schedule model. Schedule Level
The point in time associated with the completion of the schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline Activity Baseline Finish Date
The act of formally confirming, sanctioning, ratifying, or agreeing to something. Approve
The originator, publisher, or responsible party of a document, such as a schedule, estimate, or analysis. Author
Useful work performed that does not produce a tangible product or result, such as performing any of the business functions supporting production or distribution. Contrast with product and result Service
The time in calendar units, (a) equal to the Original Duration for an activity that has not started or (b) between the data date of the project schedule and the finish date of a schedule activity that has an actual start date. This represents the time nee Remaining Duration (RD)
A formal, approved document that defines how the project is executed, monitored, and controlled. It may be summary or detailed and may be composed of one or more subsidiary management plans and other planning documents. Project Management Plan [Output/Input]
Multiple attributes associated with each resource that can be included within the resource library. Resource attributes include resource identifier, resource name, resource type, resource availability, resource rate, resource code, constraints, and assump Resource Attributes
The total number of work periods in calendar units assigned to perform the schedule activity, considering all of the variables that could affect performance, and is determined to be the most probable activity duration. Most Likely Duration
A date constraint placed on both the activity early and late finish dates of an in-progress schedule activity that affects when the schedule activity can be scheduled for completion and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. This constraint requi Activity Expected Finish Date
The total number of work periods in calendar units between the project actual start date of the project and either the data date of the project schedule, if the project is in progress or the project actual finish date, if the project is complete Project Actual Duration
An activity with no predecessor, successor, or both. There should be only two activities/milestones in a schedule with open ends: project start and project completion Open End
A start date constraint placed on a schedule activity that sets both the activity early and late start dates equal to a fixed imposed date and thereby also constrains the late finish date of the network paths logically preceding that schedule activity. Activity Mandatory Start Date
The current estimate of the point in time when the schedule activity will begin, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress SEE ALSO Activity Scheduled Start Date, Activity Baseline Start Date, and Current Start Date
The longest schedule network path from the project start date or the current project data date to the project finish date SEE ALSO Critical Path
The point in time associated with the activity actual finish date of the last schedule activity in the project Project Actual Finish Date
An integrated set of regularly interacting or interdependent components created to accomplish a defined objective, with defined and maintained relationships among its components, and the whole producing or operating better than the simple sum of its compo System
The earliest possible point in time associated with the beginning of the first schedule activity of the project Project Early Start Date
The estimated cost of the schedule activity that includes the cost for all resources required to perform and complete the activity, including all cost types and cost components. Activity Cost Estimate
The logical relationship where initiation of work of the successor activity depends upon the completion of work of the predecessor activity SEE ALSO Logical Relationship
Project Time Management includes the processes required to accomplish timely completion of the project Project Time Management [Knowledge Area]
A date or part of a date identified as a time for performing work. Each date may be further divided into calendar units, such as shifts, hours, or even minutes that may be designated as the specific work period. Work Period
A defined function to be performed by a project team member, such as testing, filing, inspecting, coding. Role
The point in time associated with the activity scheduled finish date of a resource limited schedule activity in a resource-limited schedule. Activity Resource Leveled Finish Date
All the project team members, including the project management team, the project manager and, for some projects, the project sponsor. Project Team
The point in time associated with the beginning of the first schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline* Project Baseline Start Date
The point in time associated with the activity scheduled start date of a resource limited schedule activity in a resource-limited schedule. Activity Resource Leveled Start Date
Estimates or predictions of conditions and events in the project’s future based on information and knowledge available at the time of the forecast. Forecasts are updated and reissued based on work performance information provided as the project is execu Forecasts
The earliest possible point in time when the schedule activity can begin Activity Early Start Date
A display formatted in report rows and report columns, such as a document that presents time-scaled columnar schedule-related information. Report Table
The point in time when work was scheduled to complete on a schedule activity The activity schedule finish date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the activity early finish date and the activity late finish date Activity Scheduled Finish Date
In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time on which the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity (or the project) can finish, based on the schedule network logic, the data date, and any schedule constraints. Early finish dates can SEE ALSO Activity Early Finish Date and Project Early Finish Date
A specific type of professional or management activity that contributes to the execution of a process and that may employ one or more techniques and tools. Practice
A short phrase or label for each resource used in conjunction with a resource identifier to differentiate that resource from other resources. The resource name normally differentiates a resource by type, role, or individual. Resource Name
A smaller portion of the overall project created when a project is subdivided into more manageable components or pieces, Subprojects are usually represented in the work breakdown structure, A subproject can be referred to as a project, managed as a projec SEE ALSO Summary Activity
A point in time associated with the beginning of the first schedule activity in a project. Usually qualified by one of the following: actual, baseline, current, early, late, scheduled, or target Project Start Date
A project schedule whose schedule activity, scheduled start dates and scheduled finish dates reflect expected resource availability. A resource-limited schedule does not have any early or late start or finish dates. The resource-limited schedule total flo SEE ALSO Resource Leveling
A schedule constraint placed on the schedule activity that affects when a schedule activity can be scheduled and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. A Finish Not Earlier Than constraint prevents the activity from being scheduled to finish earl Finish Not Earlier Than
A schedule network diagramming technique in which schedule activities are represented by boxes (or nodes) Schedule activities are graphically linked by one or more logical relationships to show the sequence in which the activities are to be performed Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) [Technique]
The point in time when work actually ended on a schedule activity SEE ALSO Activity Actual Finish Date And Project Actual Finish Date
Any form of schedule network analysis in which scheduling decisions (start and finish dates) are driven by resource constraints (e.g., limited resource availability or difficult-to-manage changes in resource availability levels) Resource Leveling [Technique]
The logical relationship where initiation of the work of the successor schedule activity depends upon the initiation of the work of the predecessor schedule activity SEE ALSO Logical Relationship
A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a known baseline or expected value. Variance
The late finish dates are determined during the backward pass calculation of the project schedule network
Assumptions are factors that, for planning purposes, are considered to be true, real, or certain without proof or demonstration. Assumptions affect all aspects of project planning, and are part of the progressive elaboration of the project. Project teams Assumptions [Output/Input]
A schedule network diagramming technique in which schedule activities are represented by boxes (or nodes) Schedule activities are graphically linked by one or more logical relationships to show the sequence in which the activities are to be performed SEE ALSO Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM)
The technique of identifying early and late start dates, as well as early and late finish dates, for the uncompleted portions of project schedule activities Schedule Network Analysis [Technique]
The point in time at which work actually ended on the schedule activity Activity Actual Finish Date
A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence from a known schedule baseline finish date or project end date. May be expressed as either a percentage or number of work periods. Project Finish Variance
A system of practices, techniques, procedures, and rules used by those who work in a discipline. Methodology
Also called slack SEE ALSO Free Float (FF), Total Float (TF)
The number of calendar units a resource is to wait after the activity start date before beginning work on the schedule activity. Resource Lag
The total number of work periods in calendar units between the project actual start date of the project and either the data date of the project schedule, if the project is in progress or the project actual finish date, if the project is complete SEE ALSO Actual Duration
A date or part of a date identified as a time for not performing work including designated holidays. Each date may be further divided into calendar units, such as shifts, hours, or even minutes that may be designated as the specific non-work period. Non-work Period
The point in time associated with the activity actual start date of the first schedule activity in the project. Project Actual Start Date
A significant event in the project schedule, such as an event restraining future work or marking the completion of a major deliverable. A schedule milestone has zero duration Sometimes called a milestone activity SEE ALSO Milestone
A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Project
The longest schedule network path from the project start date or the current project data date to the project finish date Project Critical Path
A discrete scheduled component of work performed during the course of a project. A schedule activity normally has an estimated duration, an estimated cost, and estimated resource requirements. Schedule activities are connected to other schedule activities Schedule Activity
A schedule network analysis technique used to deter- mine the amount of scheduling flexibility (the amount of float) on various logical network paths in the project schedule network, and to determine the minimum total project duration. Early start and fin SEE ALSO Critical Path
In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time that a schedule activity may be completed based upon the schedule network logic, the project completion date, and any constraints assigned to the schedule activities without violating a schedu Late Finish Date (LF)
A measure of schedule performance on a project. It is the algebraic difference between the earned value (EV) and the planned value (PV) SV EV minus PV Schedule Variance (SV)
A point in time established by schedule network analysis for completion of a schedule activity within a specific version of the project schedule. Activity Target Finish Date
A project team member selected set of resources sharing some common resource attribute that allows those resources to be reported or displayed separately such as being grouped in a graphic display. Resource Group
An artifact that is produced, is quantifiable, and can be either an end item in itself or a component item. Additional words for products are materiel and goods Contrast with result and service SEE ALSO Deliverable
A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a given duration for a schedule activity. Activity Duration Variance
The point in time when work was scheduled to finish on a schedule activity, The scheduled finish date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the early finish date and the late finish date It may reflect resource leveling of scarce resources. S Scheduled Finish Date (SF)
The person assigned by the performing organization to achieve the project objectives. Project Manager (PM)
The process of estimating the number of work periods that will be needed to complete individual schedule activities. Activity Duration Estimating [Process]
The point in time at which work actually began on the schedule activity Activity Actual Duration Activity Actual Start Date
The point in time at which work actually ended on the schedule activity SEE ALSO Actual Finish Date
A short unique numeric or text identification assigned to each project to differentiate a particular project from other projects in a program. Project Identifier
The person or organization that will use the project’s product or service User
A planning technique that subdivides the project scope and project deliverables into smaller, more manageable components, until the project work, associated with accomplishing the project scope and providing the deliverables, is defined in sufficient deta Decomposition [Technique]
A short unique numeric or text identification assigned to each schedule activity to differentiate that project activity from other activities Activity Identifier
The collection of schedule activity dependencies that makes up a project schedule network diagram. Network Logic
The point in time associated with the activity actual finish date of the last schedule activity in the project SEE ALSO Actual Finish Date
The earliest possible point in time associated with the beginning of the first schedule activity of the project SEE ALSO Early Start Date
The documented narrative description of the product scope. Product Scope Description
Any unique and verifiable product, result, or capability to perform a service that must be produced to complete a process, phase, or project SEE ALSO Product, Result, Service
A predetermined range of normal outcomes that is determined during the planning process and sets the boundaries within which the team practices management by exception. Variance Threshold
A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a known project target start date or project target finish date. Project Target Date Variance
A schedule constraint placed on the schedule activity that affects when a schedule activity can be scheduled and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. A Start Not Later Than constraint prevents the schedule activity from being scheduled to start Start Not Later Than
A summary-level project schedule that identifies the major deliverables and work breakdown structure components and key schedule milestones Master Schedule [Tool]
A schedule constraint placed on the schedule activity that affects when a schedule activity can be scheduled and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. A Finish On constraint prevents the activity from being scheduled to finish earlier as well as Finish On
A point in time associated with a schedule activity’s start, usually qualified by one of the following: actual, planned, estimated, scheduled, early, late, target, baseline, or current SEE ALSO Activity Start Date, Project Start Date
The current estimate of the point in time when the first schedule activity in the project will begin, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress Project Current Start Date
Documented direction for executing the project work to bring expected future performance of the project work in line with the project management plan. Corrective Action
A calendar of working days and nonworking days that determines those dates on which each specific resource is idle or can be active. Typically defines resource specific holidays and resource availability periods SEE ALSO Calendar Library, Project Calendar and Activity Calendar
Technical and quality parameters may also be included S EE AL SO Baseline
The point in time when work was scheduled to begin on a schedule activity The activity schedule start date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the activity early start date and the activity late start date SEE ALSO Activity Current Start Date, Scheduled Start Date
The total number of work periods in calendar units between the project early start date and the project early finish date SEE ALSO Duration (DU or DUR)
A graphic object used to display schedule activity data in accordance with schedule network logic. Activity Box
An estimate, expressed as a percent, of the amount of work that has been completed on an activity or a work breakdown structure component Percent Complete (PC or PCT)
Comparing actual performance with planned performance, analyzing variances, assessing trends to effect process improvements, evaluating possible alternatives, and recommending appropriate corrective action as needed. Control [Technique]
A response to a negative risk that has occurred. Distinguished from contingency plan in that a workaround is not planned in advance of the occurrence of the risk event. Workaround [Technique]
The term used in the precedence diagramming method for a logical relationship In current usage, however, precedence relationship, logical relationship, and dependency are widely used interchangeably, regardless of the diagramming method used Precedence Relationship
A short phrase or label for each schedule activity used in conjunction with an activity identifier to differentiate that project schedule activity from other schedule activities The activity description normally describes the scope of work of the sched- u Activity Label
A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a known activity target start date or activity target finish date. Activity Target Date Variance
The total number of work periods in calendar units, between the data date of the project schedule and the project early finish date of a project that has at least one activity actual start date. This represents the time needed to complete a project where SEE ALSO Remaining Duration
Documented narrative describing the work represented by the activity. Activity Scope Definition
The earliest possible point in time associated with the completion of the last schedule activity of the project Project Early Finish Date
The total number of work periods in calendar units needed to execute the approved project schedule baseline* for the project. Project Baseline Duration
A schedule network analysis technique that modifies the project schedule to account for limited resources. The critical chain method mixes deterministic and probabilistic approaches to schedule network analysis. Critical Chain Method [Technique]
The point in time when work was scheduled to start on a schedule activity, The scheduled start date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the early start date and the late start date It may reflect resource leveling of scarce resources. Somet SEE ALSO Current Start Date, Activity Scheduled Start Date, Project Scheduled Start Date
The total amount of time that a schedule activity may be delayed from its activity early start date or activity early finish date without delaying the project end date, or violating a schedule constraint. Calculated using the critical path method techniqu Total Float (TF)
The point in time associated with the beginning of the schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline SEE ALSO Activity Current Start Date
One or more numerical or text values that identify characteristics of the work or in some way categorize the schedule activity that allows filtering and ordering of activities within reports. Activity Code
The planned dates for performing schedule activities and the planned dates for meeting schedule milestones. This term is also used with a modifier, such as early, late, current, baseline, resource limited, milestone, or target to identify various instance Project Schedule [Output/Input]
The calculation of the early start and early finish dates for the uncompleted portions of all network activities Forward Pass
A finish date constraint placed on a schedule activity that sets both the activity early and late finish dates equal to a fixed imposed date and thereby also constrains the early start dates of the network paths logically following that schedule activity. Activity Mandatory Finish Date
The date on which the current baseline was established Sometimes used with a modifier such as, project schedule, project scope, or project cost. Baseline Date
A group of related schedule activities aggregated at some summary level, and displayed/reported as a single activity at that summary level Summary Activity
A quantitative assessment of the likely amount or outcome. Usually applied to project costs, resources, effort, and durations and is usually preceded by a modifier (i.e., preliminary, conceptual, feasibility, order-of-magnitude, definitive) It should alwa Estimate [Output/Input]
A term whose meaning for status data reporting varies by the brand of project management software used for scheduling, where in some systems the status date is included in the past and in some systems the status date is in the future SEE ALSO either Data Date or Time-Now Date
The amount of time that a schedule activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any immediately following schedule activities Free Float (FF)
A class of computer software applications specifically designed to aid the project management team with planning, monitoring, and controlling the project, including: cost estimating, scheduling, communications, collaboration, con- figuration management, d Project Management Software [Tool]
A discrete scheduled component of work performed during the course of a project. A schedule activity normally has an estimated duration, an estimated cost, and estimated resource requirements. Schedule activities are connected to other schedule activities SEE ALSO Activity
The narrative description of the project scope, including major deliverables, project objectives, project assumptions, project constraints, and a statement of work, that provides a documented basis for making future project decisions and for confirming or Project Scope Statement [Output/Input]
An estimate, expressed as the percentage that the project actual duration is of the project total duration for a project that has work in progress. Project Duration Percent Complete
Any item, whether internal or external to the project that is required by Input [Process Input]
Resources that are considered to have a direct impact on activity duration during resource leveling. Driving Resources
The process of analyzing schedule activity sequences, schedule activity durations, resource requirements, and schedule constraints to create the project schedule. Schedule Development [Process]
A tool which provides schedule component names, definitions, structural relationships, and formats that support the application of a scheduling method. Scheduling Tool [Tool]
A schedule constraint placed on the schedule activity that affects when a schedule activity can be scheduled and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. A Finish Not Later Than constraint prevents the activity from being scheduled to finish later Finish Not Later Than
Any item, whether internal or external to the project that is required by a process before that process proceeds. May be an output from a predecessor process.
A company, business, firm, partnership, corporation, or governmental agency. Enterprise
A point in time associated with a schedule activity’s completion Finish Date
A specific project schedule compression technique that changes network logic to overlap phases that would normally be done in sequence, such as the design phase and construction phase, or to perform schedule activities in parallel SEE ALSO Crashing, Schedule Compression
Usually the project calendar, or another specifically defined calendar from the calendar library, assigned to the schedule activity which defines the work periods and non-work periods in calendar format The activity calendar, on the schedule activities to SEE ALSO Calendar Library
A partially complete document in a predefined format that provides a defined structure for collecting, organizing and presenting information and data. Templates are often based upon documents created during prior projects. Templates can reduce the effort Template
The point in time associated with the completion of the last schedule activity in an approved project schedule baseline* SEE ALSO Project Current Finish Date
The point when the schedule network logic and deliverable requirements of the schedule activity are satisfied and the successor activities can begin. Substantial Completion
A management control point where scope, budget (resource plans), actual cost, and schedule are integrated and compared to earned value for performance measurement. Control accounts are placed at selected management points (specific components at selected SEE ALSO Work Package
The calculation of late finish dates and late start dates for the uncompleted portions of all schedule activities. Determined by working backwards through the schedule network logic from the project’s end date. The end date may be calculated in a forwar Backward Pass
A summary-level project schedule that identifies the major deliverables and work breakdown structure components and key schedule milestones SEE ALSO Mile- stone Schedule
A specific project schedule compression technique that changes network logic to overlap phases that would normally be done in sequence, such as the design phase and construction phase, or to perform schedule activities in parallel Fast Tracking [Technique]
The logical relationship where completion of the successor schedule activity is dependent upon the initiation of the predecessor schedule activity Start-to-Finish (SF)
The activity duration originally assigned to a schedule activity and not updated as progress is reported on the activity Original Duration
The latest possible point in time when the schedule activity can be completed without violating a schedule constraint or delaying the project end date SEE ALSO Late Finish Date
Generally, but not always, the sequence of schedule activities that determines the duration of the project. Generally, it is the longest path through the project However, a critical path can end, as an example, on a schedule milestone that is in the middl Critical Path
The schedule activity that determines when the logical successor activity can begin or end. Predecessor Activity
A set of calendars that can be applied to the various schedule activities and resources SEE ALSO Activity Calendar and Resource Calendar.
Interrelated, interconnected, interlocked, or meshed components blended and unified into a functioning or unified whole. Integrated
The graphic presentation of a schedule activity in the arrow diagramming method or a logical relationship between schedule activities in the precedence diagramming method. Arrow
The total number of work periods, in calendar units, between the activity early start date and the activity early finish date of a schedule activity SEE ALSO Duration (DU or DUR)
The activity duration originally assigned to a schedule activity and not updated as progress is reported on the activity SEE ALSO Activity Original Duration, Project Original Duration
Identifying, documenting, approving or rejecting, and controlling changes to the project baseline. Change Control
The point in time when work was scheduled to finish on a schedule activity, The scheduled finish date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the early finish date and the late finish date It may reflect resource leveling of scarce resources. S SEE ALSO Current Finish Date, Activity Scheduled Finish Date, Project Scheduled Finish Date
The point in time when work actually started on a schedule activity. Actual Start Date (AS)
A component of work performed during the course of a project SEE ALSO Schedule Activity
Generally, but not always, the sequence of schedule activities that determines the duration of the project. Generally, it is the longest path through the project However, a critical path can end, as an example, on a schedule milestone that is in the middl SEE ALSO Project Critical Path, Specified Critical Path, and Critical Path Method
The number of labor units required to complete a schedule activity or work breakdown structure component Usually expressed as staff hours, staff days, or staff weeks Contrast with Duration.
A group of persons organized for some purpose or to perform some type of work within an enterprise. Organization
A deliverable or project work component at the lowest level of each branch of the work breakdown structure. The work package includes the schedule activities and schedule milestones required to complete the work package deliverable or project work compone SEE ALSO Control Account (CA)
The current estimate of the point in time when a schedule activity will begin, where the estimate reflects any reported work progress SEE ALSO Scheduled Start Date and Baseline Start Date, Activity Current Start Date, and Project Current Start Date
A term whose meaning for status data reporting varies by the brand of project management software used for scheduling, where in some systems the status date is included in the past and in some systems the status date is in the future Status Date
The number of work periods in calendar units the assigned resource is estimated to spend on executing the work of the schedule activity. Resource Duration
The point in time when work was scheduled to complete on a project. The project scheduled finish date is normally within the range of dates delimited by the project early finish date and the project late finish date. It may reflect finish resource levelin SEE ALSO Project Current Finish Date, Scheduled Finish Date
A deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. It organizes and defines the total scope of the project. Each descending level repr SEE ALSO Work Package, Control Account (CA), and Contract Work Breakdown Structure (CWBS)
The concept of near-critical is equally applicable to a schedule activity or schedule network path
The logical relationship where initiation of work of the successor activity depends upon the completion of work of the predecessor activity Finish-to-Start (FS)
The probability that the schedule activity will be on a critical path. Activity Risk Criticality Index
A schedule constraint placed on the schedule activity that affects when a schedule activity can be scheduled and is usually in the form of a fixed imposed date. A Start Not Earlier Than constraint prevents the schedule activity from being scheduled to sta Start Not Earlier Than
A group of related schedule activities aggregated at some summary level, and displayed/reported as a single activity at that summary level SEE ALSO Subproject and Subnetwork
An estimate, expressed as a percent, of the amount of work that has been completed on a schedule activity, measured in terms of either physical work progress or by means of the earning rules of earned value management. Activity Physical Percent Complete
A documented tabulation containing the complete list, including resource attributes, of all resources that can be assigned to project activities.* Also known as a resource dictionary. Resource Library
Any schematic display of the logical relationships among the project schedule activities. Always drawn from left to right to reflect project work chronology. Project Schedule Network Diagram [Output/Input]