Time Terminology Flashcards
Activity
A piece of the project that must be completed (performed); sometimes called a “task”; can be divided into smaller pieces; typically has an assigned resource, cost amount, and expected duration
Activity List (Output/Input)
A detailed list of activities that project team members use to know what work on the project they are responsible for completing
Activity-on-arrow (AOA)
A network diagramming method in which activities are shown on arrows and connected at nodes to show the sequence of activities. Also known as ADM, AOL
Activity-on-node (AON)
A network diagramming method in which activities are shown on the boxes or circles of the network diagram and connected via arrows. Also known as PDM
Backward Pass
A network diagramming method that calculates the late start (LS) and late finish (LF) dates for each activity
Bar Chart (Tool)
A chart that shows a time relationship between the activities of the project; also commonly called a Gantt chart
BiPert
A model for parallel programs with ingoing (inclusive) and outgoing (excusive) links
Burst
The separation (or divergence) of activities on a network diagram from a central node
Calendar Unit
The smallest time unit used in project schedules such as minutes, hours, shifts, days, weeks, months, quarters
Control Schedule
The process of monitoring and updating the progress of the project and managing changes to scope
Crashing
A duration compression technique in which more people are added to critical path activities to shorten the duration of the critical path or other impacted areas of the schedule
Critical Chain Method (Technique)
A schedule technique used to evaluate the amount of float on the network paths; used to determine the minimum overall duration of the diagram
Critical Path
The series of activities that shows the overall duration of the project; can change as the project evolves
Critical Path Method (CPM) (Technique)
A network analysis method used to calculate total project duration
Define Activities
The identification of appropriate activities to complete the project deliverable
Dependency
A relationship between activities represented in the way activities are sequenced
Develop Schedule
The process of using activity sequences, duration estimates, and resources to create the schedule
Discretionary Dependency (Soft Logic)
A dependency in which the project manager (or other decision maker) can choose to allow it to be a dependency or not, depending upon the needs of the project (Ex: Buying a plane ticket before booking a hotel reservation)
Dummy Activities
A zero duration activity used in the arrow diagramming method (ADM) to show a logical relationship; represented graphically with an arrow having a dashed line
Duration
The overall amount of time on a project or activity
Early Finish Date (EF)
The earliest time an activity can finish based on the network logic
Early Start Date (ES)
The earliest time an activity can start based on the network logic
Effort
The amount of labor needed to complete an activity or work package; typically measured in hours, days, or weeks
Estimate (Output/Input)
A logical, educated prediction of some project component; typically includes a tolerance of accuracy
Estimate Activity Durations
The process of estimating the number of work periods (hours, days, weeks) to accomplish the activity
Estimate Activity Resources
Determination of resources (people, material, equipment) needed for a project, including the determination of when (or how much of) the resources are needed
External Dependency
A dependency that lies outside the control of the project team
Fast Tracking
A schedule compression technique in which the main focus is to find activities that can be done in parallel and to adjust the activity sequences to reflect this adjustment
Finish-to-finish Dependency (FF)
A dependency used on project scheduling in which one activity cannot finish until the activity it is dependent upon finishes (Activity B cannot finish until Activity A finishes.)
Finish-to-start Dependency (FS)
The default dependency type (with most project scheduling software) in which one activity cannot start until the one it is dependent upon finishes (Activity B cannot start until Activity A finishes .)
Float
The amount of time an activity can be delayed (slip) without causing a delay to the successor(s) activities, or the final finish date of the project
Forward Pass
A network diagram technique that calculates the early start (ES) and early finish (EF) dates for each activity
Free Slack (Free Float)
The amount of time an activity can be delayed without causing slippage (delay) to the early start of any subsequent activities
Gantt Chart
The horizontal bar chart used in project management to show a time relationship. between activities. Also called a bar chart