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
Imposed Date
A fixed date for an activity or milestone
Lag
A delay to a successor activity from the predecessor (Ex: Activity A finishes then has a three day wait before Activity B can begin.)
Late Finish Date (LF)
The latest time an activity can be finished without delaying the project finish date
Late Start Date (LS)
The latest time an activity can start without delaying the project finish date
Lead
Acceleration to a successor from the predecessor (Ex: Activity A finishes . But with a three-day head start, Activity B can begin three days before Activity A finishes.)
Logical Relationship
An analytical association between two or more components of a project schedule
Mandatory Dependency (Hard Logic)
A required dependency on a project; cannot be ignored (Ex: You must pour the foundation of a house before you can begin framing it.)
Master Schedule (Tool)
A high level schedule which displays summary information associated with activities, deliverables, milestones, and WBS components
Merge
A coming together (convergence) of activities on a network diagram
Milestone Schedule (Tool)
A high level schedule which displays summary information associated with activities and
milestones
Network Diagram
A schematic of logical relationships that make up the flow of activities on the project; always drawn from left to right
Network Logic
The connecting of activities on the network diagram to establish the structure of the network diagram
Network Path
A non-stop series of activities from the start to the finish of the network diagram
Node
A point in a schedule network
Path Divergence
A burst on the network diagram where the output of an activity goes to more than one activity
PERT Weighted Average
An estimating technique used to take the pessimistic, optimistic, and realistic (most likely) estimates to achieve a cumulative estimate
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
A network diagramming process in which activities are represented in boxes
Precedence Relationship
The logical relationship between activities as depicted in a precedence diagram
Predecessor Activity
An activity that determines when its successor activity can begin
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
A project management estimation technique used when estimates for individual activities are questionable
Project Calendar
A calendar that indicates working and non-working dates and shifts for the project
Project Network Diagram
A view of the logical relationship (sequencing) of project activities
Project Schedule
The document that lists the dates for performing project activities and meeting project milestones
Project Schedule Network Diagram
A graphical representation of the logical relationships between project activities
Project Time Management
The processes associated with an attempt to complete the project on time
Resource Calendar
A calendar in the project management plan and schedule that shows working and non-working days
Rolling Wave Planning (Technique)
A progressive elaboration approach to managing a schedule where the initial phases are defined at a detailed level with the remaining work at a high level: as the initial phases are done, the remaining phases are planned.
Schedule
The planned dates, sequencing , resources , and durations for activities and milestones on a project
Schedule Baseline
A schedule version over a specific time period that is used as the basis for scheduled activities comparison
Schedule Compression (Technique)
The process of shorting the project schedule without modifying the scope of the project (Ex: crashing and fast tracking)
Schedule Management Plan
Document that decomposes work packages, establishes the network diagram, determines required resources, determines activity durations, integrates activity components into a schedule, and deals with schedule changes and updates
Schedule Milestone
A major event in the project schedule; typically involves the start or completion of a major component of the project
Schedule Model
A model used in schedule network analysis to create the project schedule
Schedule Network Analysis
A technique used to determine early and late start dates and early and late finish dates of project activities
Scheduled Finish Date
The planned finish date for an activity, work package, or other piece of the schedule
Scheduled Start Date
The planned start date for an activity, work package, or other piece of the schedule
Sequence Activities
The process of determining and documenting the logical relationships between activities on the project
Slack (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
Start-to-finish Dependency (SF)
A dependency used on project scheduling in which one activity cannot finish until the activity it is dependent on starts (Ex: Activity 8 cannot finish until Activity A starts)
Start-to-start Dependency (SS)
A dependency used on project scheduling in which one activity cannot start until the activity it is dependent on starts (Activity 8 cannot start until Activity A starts.)
Subnetwork
A section of a network diagram; can be associated with a work package or some other type of logical decomposition
Successor
An activity that follows an activity logically connected to it
Summary Activity
An activity that sums up the detailed activities underneath it; typically used to evaluate work packages and facilitate executive reporting
Target Completion Date (TC)
A requested project completion date that can be a constraint for the project
Target Finish Date (TF)
The date that the project (or activity) is anticipated to be completed
Target Schedule
A preliminary schedule that can be used during initial stages of Planning; could differ from the baseline schedule at the conclusion of Planning
Target Start Date (TS)
The planned start date of the project or activity
Task
An activity to be completed on the project
Three-point Estimate (Technique)
An estimating technique that can be applied to schedule or budget; uses three estimates for each activity; uses an optimistic, pessimistic, and realistic (most likely) estimate
Total Slack (Total Float)
The amount of time an activity can slip (be delayed) from its early start date without delaying the overall finish date
Variance
A result that is outside of the expected result.
Work Performance Information (Output/Input)
Data associated with the completion of work on the project; can include deliverable status, actions associated with preventative and corrective measures, and change requests
