Planning Scheduling

critical path

longest sequence of dependent tasks in a project schedule that must be completed on time for the entire project to finish on schedule

gantt chart

visual representation of the project plan using horizontal bars to depict relationships and timing

predecessor

a task that must be completed prior to another task to begin

successor

an activity that occurs after another activity, following its completion

lead

how long after a predecessor begins can the successor lead

lag

how long before a predecessor ends can the successor start

float (stack)

how much time a task can slip before it impacts the successor and eventually the overall completion (free float, total float)

work breakdown structure

how you organize your schedule (outline)

base line

locking your initial project plan to allow you to track progress and impacts

resource

who is responsible for the task

constraint

an activity that has a fixed start, end, or duration

milestone

an event to mark specific points in time along a project timeline. They focus on major progress points that must be reached to achieve success