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Project Management Vocab
For PMP Professionals a Study Guide
778
Management
Professional
02/27/2012

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Term
Abstract resource
Definition
imaginary resource introduced so its availability and activity requirement gives an extra means of control. (For example, two jobs not being worked upon simultaneously in order to obviate an accident hazard)
Term
Acceptance
Definition
the formal process of accepting delivery of a product or a deliverable.
Term
Acceptance criteria
Definition
performance requirements and essential conditions that have to be achieved before project deliverables are accepted.
Term
Acceptance test
Definition
formal, pre
Term
Accountability Matrix
Definition
See responsibility assignment matrix.
Term
Accrued costs
Definition
earmarked for the project and for which payment is due, but has not been made.
Term
Acquisition strategy
Definition
determining the most appropriate means of procuring the component parts or services of a project
Term
Action Item
Definition
Something agreed to be done by a person as a result of a discussion at a meeting and usually recorded in the minutes or log of the meeting.
Term
Active
Definition
Project status describing an approved initiative or project with applied resource and management activities.
Term
Activity
Definition
task, job, operation or process consuming time and possibly other resources. (The smallest self
Term
Activity Definition
Definition
Identifying the specific activities to be performed in order to produce the various project deliverables.
Term
Activity Description (AD)
Definition
A short phrase or label used in a project network diagram. The activity description normally describes the scope of work of the activity.
Term
Activity duration
Definition
specifies the length of time (hours, days, weeks, months) that it takes to complete an activity.
Term
Activity Duration Estimating
Definition
Estimating the number of work periods which will be needed to complete individual activities
Term
Activity file
Definition
a file containing all data related to the definition of activities on a particular project.
Term
Activities ID
Definition
a unique code identifying each activity in a project.
Term
Activity
Definition
on
Term
Activity
Definition
on
Term
Activity status
Definition
the state of completion of an activity. A planned activity has not yet started. A started activity is in progress. A finished activity is complete.
Term
Actual Cost (AC)
Definition
Incurred costs charged to the project budget for which payment has been made or accrued for payment. See Earned Value Analysis.
Term
Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP)(Spent Costs)
Definition
Total costs incurred (direct and indirect) in accomplishing work during a given time period. See also earned value analysis.
Term
Actual dates
Definition
actual dates are entered as the project progresses. These are the dates that activities really started and finished as opposed to planned or projected dates.
Term
Actual direct costs
Definition
costs specifically identified with a contract or project. See also direct costs.
Term
Actual Finish Date (AF)
Definition
The point in time that work actually ended on an activity. (Note: in some application areas, the activity is considered “finished” when work is “substantially complete.”)
Term
Actual Start Date (AS)
Definition
The point in time that work actually started on an activity.
Term
ACWP
Definition
Actual Cost of Work Performed
Term
AD
Definition
Activity Description
Term
AD
Definition
Active Directory
Term
Adjourning
Definition
the last stage of team building where the team disbands
Term
ADM
Definition
Arrow Diagramming Method
Term
Administrative Closure
Definition
Generating, gathering, and disseminating information to formalize project completion.
Term
Advanced material release
Definition
a document used by organizations to initiate the purchase of long lead
Term
AF
Definition
Actual Finish date
Term
AND relationship
Definition
logical relationship between two or more activities that converge on or diverge from an event. Note: the AND relationship indicates that every one of the activities has to be undertaken.
Term
AOA
Definition
Activity
Term
AON
Definition
Activity
Term
Approved
Definition
Project status describing Governance or Steering Committee approval prior to the start of project activities.
Term
AS
Definition
Actual Start date
Term
Assumption
Definition
Factors, for planning purposes, considered to be true, real, or certain. Assumptions generally involve a degree of risk.
Term
Accountability Matrix
Definition
See responsibility assignment matrix.
Term
Activity
Definition
An element of work performed during the course of a project. An activity normally has an expected duration, an expected cost, and expected resource requirements. Activities are often subdivided into tasks.
Term
Activity Definition
Definition
Identifying the specific activities that must be performed in order to produce the various project deliverables.
Term
Activity Description (AD)
Definition
A short phrase or label used in a project network diagram. The activity description normally describes the scope of work of the activity.
Term
Activity Duration Estimating
Definition
Estimating the number of work periods which will be needed to complete individual activities.
Term
Activity
Definition
On
Term
Activity
Definition
On
Term
Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP)
Definition
Total costs incurred (direct and indirect) in accomplishing work during a given time period. See also earned value.
Term
Actual Finish Date (AF)
Definition
The point in time that work actually ended on an activity. (Note: in some application areas, the activity is considered “finished” when work is “substantially complete.”)
Term
Actual Start Date (AS)
Definition
The point in time that work actually started on an activity.
Term
Administrative Closure
Definition
Generating, gathering, and disseminating information to formalize project completion.
Term
APIs
Definition
Application Programming Interface
Term
Application Area
Definition
A category of projects that have common elements not present in all projects. Application areas are usually defined in terms of either the product of the project (i.e., by similar technologies or industry sectors) or the type of customer (e.g., internal vs. external, government vs. commercial). Application areas often overlap.
Term
Approval
Definition
the term used when an individual accepts a deliverable as fit for purpose so that the project can continue.
Term
Approval to proceed
Definition
approval given to the project at initiation or prior to the beginning of the next stage.
Term
Arrow
Definition
The graphic presentation of an activity. See also arrow diagramming method. A connecting line between two nodes in a network.
Term
Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM)
Definition
A network diagramming technique in which activities are represented by arrows. The tail of the arrow represents the start and the head represents the finish of the activity (the length of the arrow does not represent the expected duration of the activity). Activities are connected at points called nodes (usually drawn as small circles) to illustrate the sequence in which the activities are expected to be performed. See also precedence diagramming method.
Term
Arrow diagram
Definition
See activity
Term
Arrow diagram method
Definition
one of two conventions used to represent an activity in a project. Also known as activity
Term
AS
Definition
Actual Start date
Term
As late as possible (ALAP)
Definition
an activity for which the early start date is set as late as possible without delaying the early dates of any successor.
Term
As
Definition
of Date
Term
Associated revenue
Definition
that part of a project cost that is of a revenue nature and therefore charged as incurred to the profit and loss account. Note: associated revenue differs from the capital element of the project in that the capital element is taken as an asset to the balance sheet and depreciated over future accounting periods.
Term
As soon as possible (ASAP)
Definition
an activity for which the early start date is set to be as soon as possible. This is the default activity type in most project management systems.
Term
Assumptions
Definition
Assumptions are factors that, for planning purposes, are considered to be true, real, or certain. Assumptions generally involve a degree of risk.
Term
Audit
Definition
systematic retrospective examination of the whole, or part, of a project or function to measure conformance with predetermined standards. Note: audit is usually qualified, for example financial audit, quality audit, design audit, project audit, health and safety audit.
Term
Authorization
Definition
the decision that triggers the allocation of funding needed to carry on the project
Term
Authorized un
Definition
priced work
Term
Authorized work
Definition
the effort which has been defined, plus that work for which authorization has been given, but for which defined contract costs have not been agreed upon.
Term
Automatic decision event
Definition
decision event where the decision depends only on the outcome of the preceding activities and that can be programmed or made automatic.
Term
Backward Pas
Definition
The calculation of late finish dates and late start dates for the uncompleted portions of all network activities. Determined by working backwards through the network logic from the project’s end date. The end date may be calculated in a forward pass or set by the customer or sponsor. See also network analysis.
Term
Bar Chart
Definition
A graphic display of schedule
Term
Baseline
Definition
The original plan (for a project, a work package, or an activity), plus or minus approved changes. Usually used with a modifier (e.g., cost baseline, schedule baseline, performance measurement baseline).
Term
Baseline Finish Date
Definition
See scheduled finish date.
Term
Baseline Start Date
Definition
See scheduled start date.
Term
BAC
Definition
Budget At Completion
Term
Backward Pass
Definition
The calculation of late finish dates and late start dates for the uncompleted portions of all network activities. Determined by working backwards through the network logic from the project’s end date. The end date may be calculated in a forward pass or set by the customer or sponsor. See also network analysis.
Term
Balanced matrix
Definition
an organizational matrix where functions and projects have the same priority.
Term
Bar Char
Definition
A graphic display of schedule
Term
Baseline
Definition
The original plan (for a project, a work package, or an activity), plus or minus approved changes. Usually used with a modifier (e.g., cost baseline, schedule baseline, performance measurement baseline).
Term
Baseline cost
Definition
the amount of money an activity was intended to cost when the schedule was baselined.
Term
Baseline dates
Definition
original planned start and finish dates for an activity. Used to compare with current planned dates to determine any delays. Also used to calculate budgeted cost of work scheduled for earned
Term
Baseline Finish Date
Definition
See scheduled finish date.
Term
Baseline review
Definition
a customer review conducted to determine that a contractor is continuing to use the previously accepted performance system and is properly implementing a baseline on the contract or option under review.
Term
Baseline schedule
Definition
the baseline schedule is a fixed project schedule. It is the standard by which project performance is measured. The current schedule is copied into the baseline schedule which remains frozen until it is reset. Resetting the baseline is done when the scope of the project has been changed significantly, for example after a negotiated change. At that point, the original or current baseline becomes invalid and should not be compared with the current schedule.
Term
Baseline Start Date
Definition
See scheduled start date.
Term
BCWP
Definition
Budgeted Cost of Work Performed
Term
BCWS
Definition
Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled
Term
Benefits
Definition
the enhanced efficiency, economy and effectiveness of future business or other operations to be delivered by a project or program.
Term
Benefits framework
Definition
an outline of the expected benefits of the project or program, the business operations affected and current and target performance measures.
Term
Benefits management
Definition
combined with project or program management, Benefits Management is the process for planning, managing, delivering and measuring the project or program benefits.
Term
Benefits management plan
Definition
specifies who is responsible for achieving the benefits set out in the benefit profiles and how achievement of the benefits is to be measured, managed and monitored.
Term
Bid
Definition
a tender, quotation or any offer to enter into a contract
Term
Bid analysis
Definition
an analysis of bids or tenders.
Term
Bottom up cost estimating
Definition
this is the method of making estimates for every activity in the work breakdown structure and summarizing them to provide a total project cost estimate.
Term
Brainstorming
Definition
the unstructured generation of ideas by a group of people.
Term
Breakdown structure
Definition
a hierarchical structure by which project elements are broken down, or decomposed. See also product breakdown structure (PBS), organizational breakdown structure (OBS) and work breakdown structure (WBS).
Term
Budget
Definition
quantification of resources needed to achieve a task by a set time, within which the task owners are required to work. Note: a budget consists of a financial and/or quantitative statement, prepared and approved prior to a defined period, for the purpose of attaining a given objective for that period. (The planned cost for an activity or project.)
Term
Budget at completion (BAC)
Definition
The sum total of the time
Term
Budget cost
Definition
the cost anticipated at the start of a project.
Term
Budget Estimate
Definition
See estimate.
Term
Budgetary control
Definition
system of creating budgets, monitoring progress and taking appropriate action to achieve budgeted performance.
Term
Note: a budget should provide the information necessary to enable approval, authorization and policy
Definition
making bodies to assess a project proposal and reach a rational decision.
Term
Budgeted Cost of Work Performed (BCWP)
Definition
The sum of the budget for work completed plus apportioned work in progress to be completed during a relevant time period. BCWP can also be calculated by taking the percentage of work completed times the baseline cost of the activity (% Complete x Planned Cost for each activity).
Term
Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (BCWS)
Definition
The sum of the budgets for work scheduled to be accomplished during a relevant time period. See also earned value analysis. The planned cost of work that should have been achieved according to the project baseline dates. Elapsed costs / baseline cost to date.
Term
Budget element
Definition
budget elements are the same as resources
Term
Budget estimate
Definition
an approximate estimate prepared in the early stages of a project to establish financial viability or secure resources.
Term
Budgeting
Definition
time phased financial requirements.
Term
Budget unit
Definition
the budget unit is the base unit for the calculation. For example, the engineer budget element might have a budget unit of hours. Since budget units are user defined, they can be any appropriate unit of measure. For example, a budget unit might be hours, pounds sterling, linear meters, or tons.
Term
Burden
Definition
overhead expenses distributed over appropriate direct labor and/or material base.
Term
Business case
Definition
information necessary to enable approval, authorization and policy making bodies to assess a project proposal and reach a reasoned decision
Term
Calendar Unit
Definition
The smallest unit of time used in scheduling the project. Calendar units are generally in hours, days, or weeks, but can also be in shifts or even in minutes. Used primarily in relation to project management software.
Term
Calendars
Definition
a project calendar lists time intervals in which activities or resources can or cannot be scheduled. A project usually has one default calendar for the normal workweek (for example Monday to Friday), but may have other calendars as well. Each calendar can be customized with its own holidays and extra work days. Resources and activities can be attached to any of the calendars that are defined.
Term
Cancelled
Definition
Project status given to a cancelled project.
Term
Capital cost
Definition
the carrying cost in a balance sheet of acquiring an asset and bringing it to the condition where it is capable of performing its intended function over a future series of periods.
Term
Capital employed
Definition
amount of investment in an organization or project, normally the sum of fixed and current assets, less current liabilities at a particular date.
Term
Cascade chart
Definition
bar chart on which the vertical order of activities is such that each activity is dependent only on activities higher in the list.
Term
Cash flow
Definition
cash receipts and payments in a specified period.
Term
Cash flow, net
Definition
difference between cash received and payments made during a specific period.
Term
CCB
Definition
Change Control Board
Term
Champion
Definition
an end user representative often seconded into a project team. Someone who acts as an advocate for a proposal or project.
Term
Change control
Definition
process that ensures potential changes to the deliverables of a project or the sequence of work in a project, are recorded, evaluated, authorized, and managed.
Term
Change Control Board (CCB)
Definition
A formally constituted group of stakeholders responsible for approving or rejecting changes to the project baselines.
Term
Change in Scope
Definition
See scope change.
Term
Change log
Definition
a record of all project changes, proposed, authorized, or rejected.
Term
Change management
Definition
the formal process where changes to the project are introduced and approved.
Term
Change Request
Definition
A request submitted to obtain formal approval for project changes (see Project Change Control). Change requests may arise through changes in the business or because of issues in the project. Change requests should be documented, logged, analyzed, and approved before a change to the project can be made.
Term
Chart of Accounts
Definition
Any numbering system used to monitor project costs by category (e.g., labor, supplies, materials). The project chart of accounts is usually based upon the corporate chart of accounts of the primary performing organization. See also code of accounts.
Term
Charter
Definition
See project charter.
Term
Child activity
Definition
subordinate task belonging to a ‘parent’ task existing at a higher level in the work breakdown structure.
Term
Client or Customer
Definition
the party to a contract who commissions the work and pays for it on completion. The client or customer also functions as a representative for the users and is a project stakeholder.
Term
Close out
Definition
the completion of work on a project.
Term
Closure
Definition
the formal end point of a project, either because it has been completed or because it has been terminated early.
Term
CMM
Definition
Capability Maturity Model
Term
Code of Accounts
Definition
Any numbering system used to uniquely identify each element of the work breakdown structure. See also chart of accounts.
Term
Commissioning
Definition
advancement of an installation from the stage of static completion to full working order and achievement of the specified operational requirements.
Term
Commitment
Definition
A binding financial obligation, typically in the form of a purchase order or contract.
Term
Committed costs
Definition
costs legally committed even if delivery has not taken place with invoices neither raised nor paid.
Term
Communication
Definition
the transmission of information so that the recipient understands clearly what the sender intends.
Term
Communications planning
Definition
determining project stakeholders’ communication and information needs.
Term
Completed
Definition
Project status describing work that has moved through the full project lifecycle and has been accepted as complete by the customer or client.
Term
Completion date
Definition
the date calculated by which the project could finish following careful estimating.
Term
Compound risk
Definition
a risk made up of a number of inter
Term
Conception phase
Definition
the phase that triggers and captures new ideas or opportunities and identifies potential candidates for further development in the feasibility phase
Term
Concurrent Engineering
Definition
An approach to project staffing that, in its most general form, calls for implementers to be involved in the design phase. Sometimes confused with fast tracking.
Term
Configuration
Definition
functional and physical characteristics of a product as defined in technical documents and achieved in the product. Note: in a project this should contain all items that can be identified as being relevant to the project and that should only be modified after authorization by the relevant manager (This includes documentation).
Term
Configurations audit
Definition
a check to ensure that all deliverable items on a project conform with one another and to the current specification. It ensures that relevant quality assurance procedures have been implemented and that there is consistency throughout project documentation.
Term
Configurations control
Definition
a system through which changes may be made to configuration items.
Term
Configuration identification
Definition
identifies uniquely all items within the configuration.
Term
Configuration item
Definition
a part of configuration that has a set function and is designated for configuration management. It identifies uniquely all items within the configuration.
Term
Configuration management
Definition
technical and administrative activities concerned with the creation, maintenance and controlled change of configuration throughout the life of the product.
Term
Configuration status accounting
Definition
records and reports the current status and history of all changes to the configuration. Provides a complete record of what happened to the configuration to date
Term
Conflict management
Definition
the ability to manage conflict creatively and effectively.
Term
Constraint
Definition
Applicable restriction affecting the performance of the project. Any factor affecting when an activity can be scheduled.
Term
Consumable resource
Definition
a type of resource that only remains available until consumed (for example, a material).
Term
Contingencies
Definition
See reserve and contingency planning.
Term
Contingency
Definition
a contingency is the planned allotment of time and cost or other resources for unforeseeable elements with a project.
Term
Contingency Allowance
Definition
See reserve.
Term
Contingency plan
Definition
Alternative course(s) of action devised to cope with project risks. Note: See risk plan.
Term
Contingency planning
Definition
the development of a management plan using alternative strategies to minimize or negate the adverse effects of a risk, should it occur.
Term
Contingency Reserve
Definition
A separately planned quantity used to allow for future situations which may be planned for only in part (sometimes called “known unknowns”). For example, rework is certain, the amount of rework is not. Contingency reserves may involve cost, schedule, or both. Contingency reserves are intended to reduce the impact of missing cost or schedule objectives. Contingency reserves are normally included in the project’s cost and schedule baselines.
Term
Contract
Definition
A contract is a mutually binding agreement which obligates the seller to provide the specified product and obligates the buyer to pay for it. Contracts generally fall into one of three broad categories:
Term
* Fixed price or lump sum contracts—this category of contract involves a fixed total price for a well
Definition
defined product. Fixed price contracts may also include incentives for meeting or exceeding selected project objectives such as schedule targets.
Term
Contract Administration
Definition
Managing the relationship with the seller.
Term
Contract budget base
Definition
the negotiated contract cost value plus the estimated value of authorized but unpriced work.
Term
Contract Close
Definition
out
Term
Contractor
Definition
a person, company, or firm who holds a contract for carrying out the works and/or the supply of goods or services in connection with the project
Term
Contract target cost
Definition
the negotiated costs for the original defined contract and all contractual changes that have been agreed and approved, but excluding the estimated cost of any authorized, unpriced changes. The contract target cost equals the value of the budget at completion plus management or contingency reserve.
Term
Contract target price
Definition
the negotiated estimated costs plus profit or fee.
Term
Control
Definition
The process of comparing actual performance with planned performance, analyzing variances, evaluating possible alternatives, and taking appropriate corrective action as needed.
Term
Control Charts
Definition
Control charts are a graphic display of the results, over time and against established control limits, of a process. They are used to determine if the process is “in control” or in need of adjustment.
Term
Coordination
Definition
the act of ensuring that work carried out by different organizations and in different places fits together effectively. It involves technical matters, time, content, and cost in order to achieve the project objectives effectively.
Term
Coordinated matrix
Definition
an organizational structure where the project leader reports to the functional manager and doesn’t have authority over team members from other departments.
Term
Corrective Action
Definition
Changes made to bring expected future performance of the project into line with the plan.
Term
Cost account
Definition
defines what work is to be performed who will perform it and who is to pay for it. Cost accounts are the focal point for the integration of scope, cost, and schedule. Another term for cost account is control account.
Term
Cost account manager
Definition
a member of a functional organization responsible for cost account performance, and for the management of resources to accomplish such tasks.
Term
Cost benefit analysis
Definition
an analysis of the relationship between the costs of undertaking a task or project, initial and recurrent, and the benefits likely to arise from the changed situation, initially and recurrently.
Term
Cost breakdown structure
Definition
hierarchical breakdown of a project into cost elements.
Term
Cost budgeting
Definition
allocating cost estimates to individual project components.
Term
Cost center
Definition
location, person, activity or project in respect of which costs may be ascertained and related to cost units.
Term
Cost code
Definition
unique identitier for a specified element of work. (Code assigned to activities that allow costs to be consolidated according to the elements of a code structure.)
Term
Cost Control
Definition
Controlling changes to the project budget.
Term
Cost control point
Definition
the point within a program at which costs are entered and controlled. Frequently, the cost control point for a project is either the cost account or the work package.
Term
Cost control system
Definition
any system of keeping costs within the bounds of budgets or standards based upon work actually performed.
Term
Cost curve
Definition
a graph plotted against a horizontal time scale and cumulative cost vertical scale.
Term
Cost element
Definition
a unit of costs to perform a task or to acquire an item. The cost estimated may be a single value or a range of values.
Term
Cost Estimating
Definition
Estimating the cost of the resources needed to complete project activities.
Term
Cost incurred
Definition
costs identified through the use of the accrued method of accounting or costs actually paid. Costs include direct labor, direct materials, and all allowable indirect costs.
Term
Cost management
Definition
the effective financial control of the project through evaluating, estimating, budgeting, monitoring, analyzing, forecasting and reporting the cost information.
Term
Cost of Quality
Definition
The costs incurred to ensure quality. The cost of quality includes quality planning, quality control, quality assurance, and rework.
Term
Cost overrun
Definition
the amount by which a contractor exceeds or expects to exceed the estimated costs, and/or the final limitations (the ceiling) of a contract.
Term
Cost Performance Index (CPI)
Definition
The ratio of budgeted costs to actual costs (BCWP/ACWP). CPI is often used to predict the magnitude of a possible cost overrun using the following formula: original cost estimate/CPI = projected cost at completion. See also earned value. The cost efficiency ratio of earned value to actual costs. CPI is often used to predict the magnitude of a possible cost overrun. See also earned value.
Term
Cost performance report
Definition
a regular cost report to reflect cost and schedule status information for management.
Term
Cost plan
Definition
A budget which shows the amounts and expected dates of incurring costs on the project or on a contract.
Term
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Contract
Definition
A type of contract where the buyer reimburses the seller for the seller’s allowable costs (allowable costs are defined by the contract) plus a fixed amount of profit (fee).
Term
Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) Contract
Definition
A type of contract where the buyer reimburses the seller for the seller’s allowable costs (allowable costs are defined by the contract), and the seller earns its profit if it meets defined performance criteria.
Term
Cost reimbursement type contracts
Definition
a category of contracts based on payments to a contractor for allowable estimated costs, normally requiring only a ‘best efforts’ performance standard from the contractor. Risk for all growth over the estimated value rests with the project owner.
Term
Cost
Definition
time resource sheet (CTR)
Term
CPFF
Definition
Cost Plus Fixed Fee
Term
CPIF
Definition
Cost Plus Incentive Fee
Term
CPI
Definition
Cost Performance Index
Term
CPM
Definition
Critical Path Method
Term
Crashing
Definition
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 cost. Typical approaches for crashing a schedule include reducing schedule activity durations and increasing the assignment of resources on schedule activities.Credited resource created by an activity or event and can then be used by the project.
Term
Critical Activity
Definition
Any activity on a critical path with zero or negative float. 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 seldom used in the project context.
Term
Criticality index
Definition
used in risk analysis, the criticality index represents the percentage of simulation trails that resulted in the activity being placed on the critical path.
Term
Critical Path
Definition
In a project network diagram, the series of activities which determines the earliest completion of the project. The critical path will generally change from time to time as activities are completed ahead of or behind schedule. Although normally calculated for the entire project, the critical path can also be determined for a milestone or subproject. The critical path is usually defined as those activities with float less than or equal to a specified value, often zero. See critical path method.
Term
Critical path analysis
Definition
procedure for calculating the critical path and floats in a network.
Term
Critical Path Method (CPM)
Definition
A network analysis technique used to predict project duration by analyzing which sequence of activities (which path) has the least amount of scheduling flexibility (the least amount of float). Early dates are calculated by means of a forward pass using a specified start date. Late dates are calculated by means of a backward pass starting from a specified completion date (usually the forward pass’s calculated project early finish date).
Term
Critical performance indicator
Definition
a critical factor against which aspects of project performance may be assessed
Term
Critical success factor
Definition
a factor considered to be most conducive to the achievement of a successful project
Term
Current Finish Date
Definition
The current estimate of the point in time when an activity will be completed.
Term
Current Start Date
Definition
The current estimate of the point in time when an activity will begin.
Term
Customer
Definition
any person who defines needs or wants, justifies or pays for part or the entire project, or evaluates or uses the results. Could be the project promoter, client, owner or employer
Term
Cut
Definition
off date
Term
CV
Definition
Cost Variance
Term
Dangle
Definition
an activity or network which has either no predecessors or no successors. If neither, it is referred to as an isolated activity.
Term
Data Date (DD)
Definition
The point in time that separates actual (historical) data from future (scheduled) data. Also called as
Term
DD
Definition
Data Date
Term
Decision
Definition
The removal of uncertainty with respect to a course of action.
Term
Decision event
Definition
state in the progress of a project when a decision is required before the start of any succeeding activity. Note: the decision determines which of a number of alternative paths is to be followed.
Term
Definitive Estimate
Definition
See estimate.
Term
Delaying resource
Definition
in resource scheduling, inadequate availability of one or more resources may require that the completion of an activity be delayed beyond the date on which it could otherwise be completed. The delaying resource is the first resource on an activity that causes the activity to be delayed.
Term
Delegation
Definition
the practice of effectively getting others to perform work which one chooses not to do oneself. The process by which authority and responsibility is distributed from project manager to subordinates.
Term
Deliberate decision event
Definition
decision event where the decision is made as a result of the outcomes of the preceding activities and possibly other information. A deliberate decision event cannot be made automatically
Term
Deliverables
Definition
end products of a project or the measurable results of intermediate activities within the project organization. Note: deliverables may be in the form of hardware, software, services, processes, documents, or any combination thereof.
Term
Delphi technique
Definition
a process where a consensus view is reached by consultation with experts. Often used as an estimating technique.
Term
Denied
Definition
Project status describing proposed project work that will not be considered.
Term
Dependency
Definition
precedence relationship. Restriction that one activity has to precede, either in part or in total, another activity. (Dependencies are relationships between products or tasks. For example, one product may be made up of several other ‘dependent’ products or a task may not begin until a ‘dependent’ task is complete.) See logical relationship
Term
Dependency arrow
Definition
A link arrow used in an activity on a node network to represent the interrelationships of activities in a project.
Term
Design authority
Definition
the person or organization with overall design responsibility for the products of the project
Term
Design and development
Definition
phase The time period in which facility and production processes are developed and designed.
Term
Deterministic network
Definition
contains paths, all of which have to be followed and whose durations are fixed. Note: deterministic network is a term used to distinguish traditional networking from probabilistic networking.
Term
Direct costs
Definition
costs specifically attributable to an activity or group of activities without apportionment. (Direct costs are best contrasted with indirect costs that cannot be identified to a specific project.)
Term
Discounted cash flow (DCF)
Definition
concept of relating future cash inflows and outflows over the life of a project or operation to a common base value thereby allowing more validity to comparison of projects with different durations and rates of cash flow.
Term
Discrete milestone
Definition
a milestone that has a definite scheduled occurrence in time.
Term
Dummy activity in activity on arrow network
Definition
an activity representing no actual work to be done but required for reasons of logic or nomenclature. Note: there are three uses for a dummy activity in ‘activity
Term
DU
Definition
Duration
Term
Dummy Activity
Definition
An activity of zero duration used to show a logical relationship in the arrow diagramming method. Dummy activities are used when logical relationships cannot be completely or correctly described with regular activity arrows. Dummies are shown graphically as a dashed line headed by an arrow.
Term
Duration (DU)
Definition
The number of work periods (not including holidays or other non
Term
Duration Compression
Definition
Shortening the project schedule without reducing the project scope. Duration compression is not always possible and often requires an increase in project cost.
Term
EAC
Definition
Estimate At Completion
Term
Earliest feasible date
Definition
The earliest date on which the activity could be scheduled to start based on the scheduled dates of all its predecessors, but in the absence of any resource constraints on the activity itself. This date is calculated by resource scheduling.
Term
Early dates
Definition
calculated in the forward pass of time analysis, early dates are the earliest dates on which an activity can start and finish.
Term
Early Finish Date (EF)
Definition
In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time on which the uncompleted portions of an activity (or the project) can finish based on the network logic and any schedule constraints. Early finish dates can change as the project progresses and changes are made to the project plan.
Term
Early Start Date (ES)
Definition
In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time on which the uncompleted portions of an activity (or the project) can start, based on the network logic and any schedule constraints. Early start dates can change as the project progresses and changes are made to the project plan.
Term
Earned hours
Definition
the time in standard hours credited as a result of the completion of a given task or a group of tasks.
Term
Earned Value (EV)
Definition
A measure of the value of completed work. Earned value uses original estimates and progress
Term
Earned value analysis
Definition
analysis of project progress where the actual money, hours (or other measure) budgeted and spent is compared to the value of the work achieved.
Term
Earned value cost control
Definition
the quantification of the overall progress of a project in financial terms so as to provide a realistic yardstick against which to compare the actual cost to date.
Term
EF
Definition
Early Finish date
Term
Effort
Definition
the number of labor units necessary to complete the work. Effort is usually expressed in staff
Term
Effort
Definition
driven activity
Term
Effort remaining
Definition
the estimate of effort remaining to complete an activity.
Term
Elapsed time
Definition
elapsed time is the total number of calendar days (excluding non
Term
End activity
Definition
an activity with no logical successors.
Term
End event (of a project)
Definition
event with proceeding, but no succeeding activities. Note: there may be more than one end event.
Term
Environmental factoring
Definition
use of data relating to an external factor (such as the weather) to modify or bias the value of parameters concerned.
Term
Equivalent activity
Definition
activity that is equivalent, in the probabilistic sense, to any combination of series and parallel activities.
Term
ES
Definition
Early Start date
Term
Estimate
Definition
An assessment of the likely quantitative result. Usually applied to project costs and durations and should always include some indication of accuracy (e.g., ± x percent). Usually used with a modifier (e.g., preliminary, conceptual, feasibility). Some application areas have specific modifiers that imply particular accuracy ranges (e.g., order
Term
Estimate at completion (EAC)
Definition
a value expressed in either money and/or hours, to represent the projected final costs of work when completed. The EAC is calculated as ETC + ACWP.
Term
Estimate to complete (ETC)
Definition
the value expressed in either money or hours developed to represent the cost of the work required to complete a task.
Term
Estimating
Definition
the act of combining the results of post project reviews, metrics, consultation and informed assessment to arrive at time and resource requirements for an activity.
Term
ETC
Definition
Estimate (or Estimated) To Complete (or Completion)
Term
EV
Definition
Earned Value
Term
Event
Definition
state in the progress of a project after the completion of all preceding activities, but before the start of any succeeding activity. (A defined point that is the beginning or end of an activity)
Term
Event
Definition
on
Term
Exception report
Definition
focused report drawing attention to instances where planned and actual results are expected to be, or are already, significantly different. Note: an exception report is usually triggered when actual values are expected to cross a predetermined threshold that is set with reference to the project plan. The actual values may be trending better or worse than plan.
Term
Exclusive OR relationship
Definition
Logical relationship indicating that only one of the possible activities can be undertaken.
Term
Execution phase
Definition
the phase of a project in which work towards direct achievement of the project’s objectives and the production of the project’s deliverables occurs. Sometimes called the implementation phase
Term
Expenditure
Definition
a charge against available funds, evidenced by a voucher, claim, or other documents. Expenditures represent the actual payment of funds.
Term
Exceptions
Definition
occurrences causing deviation from a plan, such as issues, change requests and risks. Exceptions can also refer to items where the cost variance and schedule variance exceed predefined thresholds.
Term
Expected Monetary Value
Definition
The product of an event’s probability of occurrence and the gain or loss that will result. For example, if there is a 50 percent probability that it will rain, and rain will result in a $100 loss, the expected monetary value of the rain event is $50 (.5 x $100).
Term
External constraint
Definition
a constraint from outside the project network.
Term
Fast–tracking
Definition
Reducing the duration of a project usually by overlapping phases or activities originally planned to be to done sequentially. (The process of reducing the number of sequential relationships and replacing them typically with parallel relationships, usually to achieve shorter overall durations but often with increased risk).
Term
Fallback plan
Definition
a plan for an alternative course of action that can be adopted to overcome the consequences of a risk, should it occur (including carrying out any advance activities that may be required to render the plan practical).
Term
Feasibility phase
Definition
the project phase that demonstrates that the client’s requirement can be achieved, this phase identifies and evaluates the options to determine the one preferred solution.
Term
Feasibility study
Definition
analysis to determine if a course of action is possible within the terms of reference of the project.
Term
Feasible schedule
Definition
any schedule capable of implementation within the externally determined constraints of time and/or resource limits.
Term
FF
Definition
Free Float or Finish
Term
FFP
Definition
Firm Fixed Price
Term
Final report
Definition
post
Term
Finish date
Definition
the actual or estimated time associated with an activity’s completion.
Term
Finishing activity
Definition
a finishing activity is the last activity that must be completed before a project can be considered finished. This activity is not a predecessor to any other activity
Term
Finish
Definition
to
Term
Finish
Definition
To
Term
Finish
Definition
to
Term
Finish
Definition
to
Term
Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Contract
Definition
A type of contract where the buyer pays the seller a set amount (as defined by the contract) regardless of the seller’s costs.
Term
Fixed date
Definition
a calendar date (associated with a plan) that cannot be moved or changed during the schedule.
Term
Fixed
Definition
duration scheduling
Term
Fixed finish
Definition
See imposed finish.
Term
Fixed
Definition
price
Term
Fixed start
Definition
See imposed start.
Term
Fixed Price Incentive Fee (FPIF) Contract
Definition
A type of contract where the buyer pays the seller a set amount (as defined by the contract), and the seller can earn an additional amount if it meets defined performance criteria.
Term
Float
Definition
The amount of time an activity may be delayed from its early start without delaying the project finish date. Float is a mathematical calculation and can change as the project progresses and changes are made to the project plan. Also called slack, total float, and path float. See also free float.
Term
Forecast at completion
Definition
scheduled cost for a task.
Term
Forecast Final Cost
Definition
See estimate at completion.
Term
Forward Pass
Definition
The calculation of the early start and early finish dates for the uncompleted portions of all network activities. See also network analysis and backward pass.
Term
FPIF
Definition
Fixed Price Incentive Fee
Term
Fragnet
Definition
See subnet.
Term
Free Float (FF)
Definition
The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any immediately following activities. See also float.
Term
FS
Definition
Finish
Term
Functional Manager
Definition
A manager responsible for activities in a specialized department or functional group (e.g., engineering, manufacturing, marketing).
Term
Functional matrix
Definition
an organization type where the project has a team leader in each functional department and the products are passed from one team to the next.
Term
Functional organization
Definition
management structure where specific functions of an organization are grouped into specialist departments providing dedicated services. Examples of functional organization are finance, marketing and design departments.
Term
Functional specification
Definition
a document specifying in some detail the functions that is required of a system and the constraints that will apply
Term
Funding profile
Definition
an estimate of funding requirements over time.
Term
Gantt chart
Definition
particular type of bar chart showing planned activity against time. Note: ‘Gantt chart’, although named for a particular type of bar chart, is in current usage as a name for bar charts in general.
Term
(A Gantt chart is a time
Definition
phased graphic display of activity durations. Activities are listed with other tabular information on the left side with time intervals over the bars. Activity durations are shown in the form of horizontal bars.)
Term
GERT
Definition
Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique
Term
Goal
Definition
a one
Term
Grade
Definition
A category or rank used to distinguish items that have the same functional use (e.g., “hammer”) but do not share the same requirements for quality (e.g., different hammers may need to withstand different amounts of force).
Term
Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT)
Definition
A network analysis technique that allows for conditional and probabilistic treatment of logical relationships (i.e., some activities may not be performed).
Term
Hammock
Definition
An aggregate or summary activity (a group of related activities is shown as one and reported at a summary level). A hammock may or may not have an internal sequence. See also subproject and subnet.
Term
Hammock activity
Definition
joining two specified points, that span two or more activities. (Note: its duration is initially unspecified and is only determined by the durations of the specified activities. Hammocks are usually used to collect time
Term
Handover
Definition
The formal process of transferring responsibility for and ownership of the products of a project to the operator or owner.
Term
Hanger
Definition
An unintended break in a network path. Hangers are usually caused by missing activities or missing logical relationships.
Term
hierarchical coding structure
Definition
a coding system that can be represented as a multi
Term
Hierarchy of networks
Definition
Range of networks at different levels of detail, from summary down to working levels, showing the relationships between those networks.
Term
Histogram
Definition
a graphic display of planned and or actual resource usage over a period of time. It is in the form of a vertical bar chart, the height of each bar representing the quantity of resource usage in a given time unit. Bars may be single, multiple, or show stacked resources.
Term
Holiday
Definition
an otherwise valid working day that has been designated as exempt from work.
Term
Host organization
Definition
organization providing the administrative and logistical support for the project.
Term
Hypercritical activities
Definition
activities on the critical path with negative float.
Term
IFB
Definition
Invitation For Bid
Term
Impact
Definition
the assessment of the adverse effects of an occurring risk.
Term
Impact analysis
Definition
assessing the merits of pursuing a particular course of action.
Term
Implementation phase
Definition
the project phase that develops the chosen solution into a completed deliverable.
Term
Imposed date
Definition
point in time determined by circumstances outside the network.
Term
Imposed finish
Definition
a finished date imposed on an activity by external constraints.
Term
Imposed start
Definition
a start date imposed on an activity by external constraints.
Term
Inclusive OR relationship
Definition
logical relationship indicating that at least one but not necessarily all of the activities have to be undertaken.
Term
Incurred costs
Definition
sum of actual and committed costs, whether invoiced/paid or not, at a specified time.
Term
Indirect cost
Definition
Costs associated with a project that cannot be directly attributed to an activity or group of activities. (Resources expended which are not directly identified to any specific contract, project, product or service, such as overheads and general administration).
Term
Information Distribution
Definition
Making needed information available to project stakeholders in a timely manner.
Term
In
Definition
house project
Term
Initiation
Definition
Committing the organization to begin a project or phase.
Term
In progress
Definition
an activity that has been started, but not yet completed.
Term
Integrated Cost/Schedule Reporting
Definition
See earned value.
Term
Integrated logistics support
Definition
disciplined approach to activities necessary to a) cause support considerations to be integrated into product design, b) develop support arrangements that are consistently related to design and to each other, and c) provide the necessary support at the beginning and during customer use at optimum cost.
Term
Integration
Definition
the process of bringing people, activities and other things together to perform effectively.
Term
Internal rate of return (IRR)
Definition
discount rate at which the net present value of a future cash flow is zero.
Term
Inverted matrix
Definition
a project oriented organization structure that employs permanent specialists to support projects.
Term
Invitation for Bid (IFB)
Definition
Generally, this term is equivalent to request for proposal. However, in some application areas it may have a narrower or more specific meaning.
Term
Issue
Definition
An immediate problem requiring resolution. If a risk (see Risk) does occur, it may turn into an issue or issues and be managed as an issue.
Term
Key Event Schedule
Definition
See master schedule.
Term
Key performance indicators
Definition
measurable indicators used to report progress chosen to reflect the critical success factors of the project.
Term
Labor rate variances
Definition
difference between planned labor rates and actual labor rates.
Term
Ladder
Definition
device for representing a set of overlapping activities in a network diagram. Note: The start and finish of each succeeding activity are linked only to the start and finish of the preceding activity by lead and lag activities, which consume only time.
Term
Lag
Definition
a) In a network diagram, the minimum necessary lapse of time between the finish of one activity and the finish of an overlapping activity or b) delay incurred between two specified activities. For example, in a finish
Term
Late dates
Definition
calculated in the backward pass of time analysis, late dates are the latest dates by which an activity can be allowed to start or finish.
Term
Latest event time
Definition
Latest time by which an event has to occur within the logical and imposed constraints of the network, without affecting the total project duration.
Term
Late event date
Definition
calculated from backward pass, it is the latest date an event can occur.
Term
Late Finish Date (LF)
Definition
In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time that an activity may be completed without delaying a specified milestone (usually the project finish date).
Term
Latest finish time
Definition
the latest possible time by which an activity has to finish within the logical activity and imposed constraints of the network, without affecting the total project duration.
Term
Late Start Date (LS)
Definition
In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time that an activity may begin without delaying a specified milestone (usually the project finish date).
Term
Latest start time
Definition
latest possible time by which an activity has to start within the logical and imposed constraints of the network, without affecting the total project duration.
Term
Lead
Definition
in a network diagram, the minimum necessary lapse of time between the start of one activity and the start of an overlapping activity. For example, in a finish
Term
Lead contractor
Definition
the contractor who has responsibility for overall project management and quality assurance
Term
Leadership
Definition
getting others to follow.
Term
Letter of intent
Definition
a letter indicating intent to sign a contract, usually so that work can commence prior to signing that contract.
Term
Level of Effort (LOE)
Definition
Support
Term
Leveling
Definition
See resource leveling.
Term
LF
Definition
Late Finish date
Term
Life cycle
Definition
a sequence of defined stages over the full duration of a project.
Term
Life
Definition
cycle Costing
Term
Likelihood
Definition
Assessment of the probability that a risk will occur.
Term
Link
Definition
See logical relationship.
Term
Linked bar chart
Definition
a bar chart that shows the dependency links between activities
Term
LOE
Definition
Level Of Effort
Term
Logic
Definition
See network logic.
Term
Logic diagram
Definition
a diagram that displays the logical relationships between project activities. See project network diagram.
Term
Logical Relationship
Definition
A dependency between two project activities, or between a project activity and a milestone. See also precedence relationship. The four possible types of logical relationships are:
Term
* Finish
Definition
to
Term
* Finish
Definition
to
Term
* Start
Definition
to
Term
* Start
Definition
to
Term
Loop
Definition
A network path that passes the same node twice. Loops cannot be analyzed using traditional network analysis techniques and are treated as errors.LS Late Start date
Term
Management by project
Definition
a term used to describe normal management processes that are being project managed.
Term
Management development
Definition
all aspects of staff planning, recruitment, development, training and assessment.
Term
Management Reserve
Definition
A separately planned quantity used to allow for future situations which are impossible to predict (sometimes called “unknown unknowns”). Management reserves may involve cost or schedule. Management reserves are intended to reduce the risk of missing cost or schedule objectives. Use of management reserve requires a change to the project’s cost baseline.
Term
Mandate
Definition
A document that defines the goals and constraints of a project and functions as a working agreement or contract between the client and the project manager.
Term
Master network
Definition
network showing the complete project, from which more detailed networks are derived
Term
Master Schedule
Definition
A summary
Term
Material
Definition
property which may be incorporated into or attached to an end item to be delivered under a contract, or which may be consumed or expended in the performance of a contract. It includes, but is not limited to, raw and processed material, parts, components, assemblies, fuels and lubricants, and small tools and supplies which may be consumed in normal use in the performance of a contract.
Term
Mathematical Analysis
Definition
See network analysis.
Term
Matrix Organization
Definition
Any organizational structure in which the project manager shares responsibility with the functional managers for assigning priorities and for directing the work of individuals assigned to the project.
Term
Methodology
Definition
A documented process for management of projects containing the process, definitions, and roles and responsibilities. An organization may have multiple methodologies for various types of activities, initiatives, or projects.
Term
Mid
Definition
stage assessment
Term
Milestone
Definition
a key event. An event selected for its importance in the project. Note: milestones are commonly used in relation to progress. (A milestone is often chosen to represent the start of a new phase or the completion of a major deliverable. They are used to monitor progress at summary level. Milestones are activities of zero duration).
Term
Milestone plan
Definition
a plan containing only milestones which highlight key points of the project.
Term
Milestone schedule
Definition
a schedule that identifies the major milestones. See also master schedule.
Term
Mission statement
Definition
brief summary, approximately one or two sentences, that sums up the background, purposes and benefits of the project.
Term
Mitigation
Definition
working to reduce risk by lowering its chances of occurring or by reducing its effect if it occurs.
Term
Mobilization
Definition
the bringing together of project personnel and securing equipment and facilities. carried out during project start
Term
Modern Project Management (MPM)
Definition
A term used to distinguish the current broad range of project management (scope, cost, time, quality, risk, etc.) from narrower, traditional use that focused on cost and time.
Term
Monitoring
Definition
The capture, analysis, and reporting of project performance, usually as compared to plan.
Term
Monte carol simulation
Definition
A schedule risk assessment technique used to estimate the likely range of outcomes from a complex process by simulating the process under randomly selected conditions a large number of times.
Term
MPM
Definition
Modern Project Management
Term
Multi
Definition
project
Term
Multi
Definition
project analysis
Term
Multi
Definition
project management
Term
Multi
Definition
project scheduling
Term
Near
Definition
Critical Activity
Term
Negative total float
Definition
time by which the duration of an activity or path has to be reduced in order to permit a limiting imposed date to be achieved.
Term
Negotiated contract cost
Definition
the estimated cost negotiated in a cost
Term
Negotiation
Definition
the art of satisfying needs by reaching agreement or compromise with other parties.
Term
Net present value
Definition
aggregate of future net cash flows discounted back to a common base date, usually the present.
Term
Network
Definition
a pictorial presentation of project data in which the project logic is the main determinant of the placements of the activities in the drawing. Frequently called a flowchart, PERT chart, logic drawing, or logic diagram. See project network diagram.
Term
Network Analysis
Definition
The process of identifying early and late start and finish dates for the uncompleted portions of project activities. See also Critical Path Method, Program Evaluation and Review Technique, and Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique.
Term
Network interface
Definition
activity or event common to two or more network diagrams.
Term
Network Logic
Definition
The collection of activity dependencies making up a project network diagram.
Term
Network Path
Definition
Any continuous series of connected activities in a project network diagram.
Term
Node
Definition
One of the defining points of a network; a junction point joined to some or all of the other dependency lines. See also arrow diagramming method and precedence diagramming method.
Term
Nodes
Definition
points in a network at which arrows start and finish.
Term
Non
Definition
recurring costs
Term
Non
Definition
Splittable activity
Term
Note: resources should not be diverted from a non
Definition
splittable activity to another activity.
Term
No earlier than
Definition
a restriction on an activity that indicates that it may not start or end earlier than a specified date.
Term
No later than
Definition
a restriction on an activity that indicates that it may not start or end later than a specified date.
Term
Objectives
Definition
predetermined results towards which effort is directed.
Term
OBS
Definition
Organization(al) Breakdown Structure
Term
On
Definition
hold
Term
Operation phase
Definition
period when the completed deliverable is used and maintained in service for its intended purpose.
Term
Opportunity
Definition
the opposite of a risk. The chance to enhance the project benefits.
Term
Order of magnitude estimate
Definition
an estimate carried out to give very approximate indication of likely out
Term
Organizational breakdown structure (OBS)
Definition
hierarchical way in which the organization may be divided into management levels and groups, for planning and control purposes and to relate work packages to organizational units.
Term
Organization designs
Definition
the design of the most appropriate organizational design for a project.
Term
Organizational Planning
Definition
Identifying, documenting, and assigning project roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships.
Term
Original budget
Definition
the initial budget established at or near the time a contract was signed or a project authorized, based on the negotiated contract cost or management’s authorization.
Term
Original duration
Definition
the duration of activities or groups of activities as recorded in the baseline schedule.
Term
Other direct costs (ODC)
Definition
a group of accounting elements which can be isolated to specific tasks, other than labor and material. Included in ODC are such items as travel, computer time, and services.
Term
Out
Definition
of
Term
Output format
Definition
information that governs the final appearance of a report or drawing. (Usually refers to computer–generated documents).
Term
Outsourcing
Definition
contracting
Term
Overall change control
Definition
coordinating and controlling changes across an entire project.
Term
Overlap
Definition
See lead.
Term
Overhead
Definition
costs incurred in the operation of a business that cannot be directly related to the individual products or services being produced. See also indirect cost.
Term
Overrun
Definition
costs incurred in excess of the contract target costs on an incentive type contract or the estimated costs on a fixed
Term
Parallel activities
Definition
parallel activities are two or more activities than can be done at the same time. This allows a project to be completed faster than if the activities were arranged serially.
Term
Parametric Estimating
Definition
An estimating technique that uses a statistical relationship between historical data and other variables (e.g., square footage in construction, lines of code in software development) to calculate an estimate.
Term
Parent activity
Definition
task within the work breakdown structure that embodies several subordinate ‘child’ tasks.
Term
Pareto Diagram
Definition
A histogram, ordered by frequency of occurrence, that shows how many results were generated by each identified cause.
Term
Parties (to a contract)
Definition
the persons or companies who sign a contract with one another.
Term
Path
Definition
A set of sequentially connected activities in a project network diagram. (Refer to critical path method for information on critical and non
Term
Path Convergence
Definition
In mathematical analysis, the tendency of parallel paths of approximately equal duration to delay the completion of the milestone where they meet.
Term
Path Float
Definition
See float.
Term
PC
Definition
Percent Complete
Term
PDM
Definition
Precedence Diagramming Method
Term
Pending
Definition
Status describing project work submitted for review but not yet discussed.
Term
Percent Complete (PC)
Definition
An estimate, expressed as a percent, of the amount of work which has been completed on an activity or group of activities. May be aggregated to sections of a project or the whole project.
Term
Performance measurement techniques
Definition
performance measurement techniques are the methods used to estimate earned value. Different methods are appropriate to different work packages, either due to the nature of the work or to the planned duration of the work package.
Term
Performance Reporting
Definition
Collecting and disseminating information about project performance to help ensure project progress.
Term
Performance specification
Definition
statement of the totality of needs expressed by the benefits, features, characteristics, process conditions, boundaries and constraints that together define the expected performance of a deliverable. Note: a performance specification should provide for innovation and alternative solutions, by not defining or unduly constraining the technical attributes of the intended deliverable.
Term
Performing
Definition
a team building stage where the emphasis is on the work currently being performed.
Term
Performing Organization
Definition
The enterprise whose employees are most directly involved in doing the work of the project.
Term
PERT
Definition
Program Evaluation and Review Technique
Term
PERT Chart
Definition
A specific type of project network diagram. See Program Evaluation and Review Technique.
Term
PF
Definition
Planned Finish date
Term
Phase (of a project)
Definition
that part of a project during which a set of related and interlinked activities are performed. Note: a project consists of a series of phases that together constitute the whole project life cycle. See project phase.
Term
Physical percent complete
Definition
the percentage of the work content of an activity that has been achieved.
Term
Pilot
Definition
a form of testing a new development and its implementation prior to committing to its full release.
Term
Plan
Definition
an intended future course of action. It is owned by the project manager, it is the basis of the project controls and includes the ‘what’, ‘how’, ‘when’, and ‘who’.
Term
Planned activity
Definition
an activity not yet started.
Term
Planned cost
Definition
estimated cost of achieving a specified objective.
Term
Planned Finish Date (PF)
Definition
See scheduled finish date.
Term
Planned Start Date (PS)
Definition
See scheduled start date.
Term
Planned Value (PV)
Definition
The sum of the budgets for all planned work scheduled to be accomplished within a given time period. Also known as the Budgeted Costs of Work Scheduled (BCWS).
Term
Planner
Definition
a member of a project team or project support office with the responsibility for planning, scheduling and tracking of projects. They are often primarily concerned with schedule, progress and manpower resources.
Term
Planning
Definition
the process of identifying the means, resources and actions necessary to accomplish an objective.
Term
Planning stage
Definition
the stage prior to the implementation stage when product activity, resource and quality plans are produced.
Term
PM
Definition
Project Management or Project Manager
Term
PMBOK
Definition
Project Management Body of Knowledge
Term
PMP
Definition
Project Management Professional
Term
Portfolio
Definition
A grouping of projects and programs for management convenience. They may or may not have a common objective and are often related only by the use of common resources, funding, or by company departments.
Term
Portfolio management
Definition
the management of a number of projects that do not share a common objective
Term
Positive float
Definition
positive float is defined as the amount of time that an activity’s start can be delayed without affecting the project completion date. An activity with positive float is not on the critical path and is called a non
Term
Post implementation review
Definition
a review between 6
Term
Post project appraisal
Definition
an evaluation that provides feedback in order to learn for the future.
Term
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
Definition
A network diagramming technique in which activities are represented by boxes (or nodes) and the relationship between them by arrows. Activities are linked by precedence relationships to show the sequence in which the activities are to be performed.
Term
Precedence network
Definition
a multiple dependency network. An activity
Term
Precedence Relationship
Definition
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 in use.
Term
Preceding event
Definition
in an activity
Term
Pre
Definition
commissioning
Term
Predecessor
Definition
an activity that must be completed (or be partially completed) before a specified activity can begin.
Term
Prime or lead contractor
Definition
a main supplier who has a contract for much or all of the work on a contract
Term
Probabilistic network
Definition
network containing alternative paths with which probabilities are associated
Term
Probability
Definition
likelihood of a risk occurring.
Term
Process
Definition
set of interrelated resources and activities which transform inputs into outputs
Term
Procurement
Definition
the securing of goods or services
Term
Procurement Planning
Definition
Determining what to procure and when.
Term
Product breakdown structure
Definition
a hierarchy of deliverable products which are required to be produced on the project. It forms the base document from which the execution strategy and product
Term
Product description
Definition
the description of the purpose form and components of a product. It should always be used as a basis for acceptance of the product by the customer.
Term
Product flow diagram
Definition
represents how the products are produced by identifying their derivation and the dependencies between them.
Term
Program
Definition
A portfolio of projects selected, planned, and managed in a coordinated way to achieve a set of defined objectives; a single, large or very complex project with phases managed as separate projects; or a set of otherwise unrelated projects bounded by a business cycle.
Term
Program benefits review
Definition
a review to assess if targets have been reached and to measure the performance levels in the resulting business operations.
Term
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Definition
An event
Term
Program director
Definition
the senior manager with the responsibility for the overall success of the program.
Term
Program directorate
Definition
a committee that directs the program when circumstances arise where there is no individual to direct the program.
Term
Program evaluation and review technique (PERT)
Definition
PERT is a project management technique for determining how much time a project needs before it is completed. Each activity is assigned a best, worst, and most probable completion time estimate. These estimates are used to determine the average completion time. The average times are used to calculate the critical path and the standard deviation of completion times for the entire project.
Term
Program management
Definition
the effective management of several individual but related projects or functional activities in order to produce an overall system that works effectively.
Term
Program management Office
Definition
the office responsible for the business and technical management of a specific contract or program.
Term
Program manager
Definition
individual or body with responsibility for managing a group of projects.
Term
Program support office
Definition
a group that gives administrative support to the program manager and the program executive.
Term
Progress
Definition
the partial completion of a project, or a measure of the same.
Term
Progress payments
Definition
payments made to a contractor during the life of a fixed
Term
Progress report
Definition
a regular report to senior personnel, sponsors or stakeholders summarizing the progress of a project including key events, milestones, costs and other issues.
Term
Project
Definition
The application of resources to a unique set of coordinated activities, with a defined start and finish, undertaken to meet specific objectives within defined cost and performance parameters.
Term
Project appraisal
Definition
the discipline of calculating the viability of a project.
Term
Project base date
Definition
reference date used as a basis for the start of a project calendar.
Term
Project board
Definition
a project board is the body to which the project manager is accountable for achieving the project objectives.
Term
Project brief
Definition
statement that describes the purpose, cost, time and performance requirements/constraints for a project. (A statement of reference terms for a project. A written statement of the client’s goals and requirements in relation to the project.)
Term
Project calendar
Definition
a calendar that defines global project working and non
Term
Project Change Control
Definition
The process ensuring potential changes to a project including scope, cost, resources, time (schedule), deliverables, design, methods, costs, or any other planned aspects of a project are recorded, evaluated, authorized, and managed.
Term
Project Change Control Board (PCCB)
Definition
a formally constituted group of stakeholders responsible for approving or rejecting project change requests. In some cases, the project Steering Committee may serve as the PCCB. Project Charter. A document issued by senior management that provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.
Term
Project Communications Management
Definition
A subset of project management that includes the processes required to ensure proper collection and dissemination of project information. It consists of communications planning, information distribution, performance reporting, and administrative closure.
Term
Project coordination
Definition
communication linking various areas of a project to ensure the transfer of information or hardware at interface points at the appropriate times and identification of any further necessary resources.
Term
Project coordination procedure
Definition
defines the parties relevant to the project and the approved means of communicating between them.
Term
Project champion
Definition
person within the parent organization who promotes and defends a project.
Term
Project closure
Definition
formal termination of a project at any point during its life.
Term
Project Cost Management
Definition
a subset of project management including resource planning, cost estimating, cost control and cost budgeting in an effort to complete the project within its approved budget.
Term
Project culture
Definition
the general attitude toward projects within the business.
Term
Project definition
Definition
a report defining a project, i.e. Why it is required? What will be done? How when and where it will be delivered? The organization and resources required the standards and procedures to be followed.
Term
Project director
Definition
the manager of a very large project that demands senior level responsibility or the person at the board level in an organization who has the overall responsibility for the management of projects.
Term
Project environment
Definition
the project environment is the context within which the project is formulated, assessed and realized. This includes all external factors that have an impact on the project.
Term
Project evaluation
Definition
a documented review of the project’s performance, produced at project closure. It ensures that the experience of the project is recorded for the benefit of others.
Term
Project file
Definition
a file containing the overall plans of a project and any other important documents.
Term
Project Human Resource Management
Definition
A subset of project management that includes the processes required to make the most effective use of the people involved with the project. It consists of organizational planning, staff acquisition, and team development.
Term
Project initiation
Definition
the beginning of a project at which point certain management activities are required to ensure that the project is established with clear reference terms and adequate management structure.
Term
Project initiation document
Definition
a document approved by the project board at project initiation that defines the terms of reference for the project.
Term
Project Integration Management
Definition
A subset of project management that includes the processes required to ensure that the various elements of the project are properly coordinated. It consists of project plan development, project plan execution, and overall change control.
Term
Project issue report
Definition
a report that raises either technical or managerial issues in a project.
Term
Project life cycle
Definition
all phases or stages between a project’s conception and its termination.
Term
Project life cycle cost
Definition
cumulative cost of a project over its whole life cycle
Term
Project log
Definition
a project diary. A chronological record of significant occurrences throughout the project
Term
Project logic
Definition
the relationships between the various activities in a project.
Term
Project logic drawing
Definition
a representation of the logical relationships of a project.
Term
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
Definition
An inclusive term describing the sum of knowledge within the profession of project management. As with other professions such as law, medicine, and accounting, the body of knowledge rests with the practitioners and academics who apply and advance it. The PMBOK includes proven, traditional practices which are widely applied as well as innovative and advanced ones which have seen more limited use.
Term
Project Management Plan
Definition
a plan for carrying out a project, to meet specific objectives, that is prepared by or for the project manager
Term
Project Management Office
Definition
The office or department responsible for establishing, maintaining and enforcing project delivery and management processes, procedures, and standards. It provides services, support, and training for project managers.
Term
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Definition
An individual certified as such by the Project Management Institute.
Term
Project Management Software
Definition
A class of computer applications specifically designed to aid with planning and controlling project costs and schedules.
Term
Project Management Team
Definition
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.
Term
Project Manager (PM)
Definition
The person responsible for all elements of planning, managing, executing, and controlling the project and who is responsible for bringing the project in on time, cost, to specifications, and to a given quality with agreed upon resources
Term
Project Management (PM)
Definition
The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations from a project.
Term
Project matrix
Definition
an organization matrix that is project based, in which the functional structures are duplicated in each project.
Term
Project monitoring
Definition
comparison of current project status with what was planned to be done to identify and report any deviations.
Term
Project network
Definition
representation of activities and/or events with their inter
Term
Project Network Diagram
Definition
Any schematic display of the logical relationships of project activities. Always drawn from left to right to reflect project chronology. Often incorrectly referred to as a “PERT chart.”
Term
Project network techniques
Definition
group of techniques that, for the description, analysis, planning, and control of projects, considers the logical inter
Term
Project organization
Definition
structure that is created or evolves to serve the project and its participants. (A term which refers to the structure, roles, and responsibilities of the project team and its interfaces to the outside world.)
Term
Project Phase
Definition
A collection of logically related project activities, usually culminating in the completion of a major deliverable.
Term
Project Plan
Definition
A formal, approved document used to guide both project execution and project control. The primary uses of the project plan are to document planning assumptions and decisions, to facilitate communication among stakeholders, and to document approved scope, cost, and schedule baselines. A project plan may be summary or detailed.
Term
Project Plan Development
Definition
Taking the results of other planning processes and putting them into a consistent, coherent document.
Term
Project Plan Execution
Definition
Carrying out the project plan by performing the activities included therein.
Term
Project Planning
Definition
The development and maintenance of the project plan.
Term
Project Portfolio
Definition
the constituent projects within a program.
Term
Project Portfolio Management (PPM
Definition
The organization of projects and programs into a single portfolio to allow prioritization based on factors such as alignment with corporate strategy, ROI, risk, applied resource levels, and technology focus. Used wisely, it will increase the company’s value by exposing redundant or risky projects, while revealing how to shift funds from low
Term
Project procedures manual
Definition
a collected set of the management and administrative procedures needed for the project.
Term
project procurement management
Definition
a subset of project management that includes procurement planning, source selection, enquiry, tender assessment, placement of purchase orders and contracts for goods and services, contract and purchase order administration and close
Term
Project progress report
Definition
formal statement that compares the project progress, achievements and expectations with the project plan.
Term
Project Quality Management
Definition
A subset of project management including the processes required to ensure that the project will satisfy the needs for which it was undertaken. It consists of quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control.
Term
Project Procurement Management
Definition
A subset of project management that includes the processes required to acquire goods and services from outside the performing organization. It consists of procurement planning, solicitation planning, solicitation, source selection, contract administration, and contract closeout.
Term
Project review calendar
Definition
calendar of project review dates, meetings and issues of reports set against project week numbers or dates.
Term
Project Risk Management
Definition
A subset of project management including the processes concerned with identifying, analyzing, and responding to project risk. It consists of risk identification, risk quantification, risk response development, and risk response control.
Term
Project Schedule
Definition
The planned dates for performing activities and meeting milestones.
Term
Project Scope Management
Definition
A subset of project management including the processes required to ensure that the project includes all of the work required, and only the work required, to complete the project successfully. It consists of initiation, scope planning, scope definition, scope verification, and scope change control.
Term
Project start
Definition
up
Term
Project status report
Definition
a report on the status of accomplishments and any variances to spending and schedule plans.
Term
Project strategy
Definition
a comprehensive definition of how a project will be developed and managed.
Term
Project success/failure criteria
Definition
the criteria by which the success or failure of a project may be judged.
Term
Project support office
Definition
the central location of planning and project support functions. Often provides personnel and facilities for centralized planning, cost management, estimating, documentation control and sometimes procurement to a number of projects.
Term
Project team
Definition
Set of individuals, groups and/or organizations that are responsible to the project manager for undertaking project tasks (this includes all contractors and consultants).
Term
Project technical plan
Definition
a plan produced at the beginning of a project that addresses technical issues and strategic issues related to quality control and configuration management.
Term
PS
Definition
Planned Start date
Term
Public relations
Definition
an activity meant to improve the project organization’s environment in order to improve project performance and reception.
Term
Qualitative risk analysis
Definition
a generic term for subjective methods of assessing risks.
Term
Quality
Definition
a trait or characteristic used to measure the degree of excellence of a product or service. Meeting customer’s needs.
Term
Quality Assurance (QA)
Definition
(1) The process of evaluating overall project performance on a regular basis to provide confidence that the project will satisfy the relevant quality standards. (2) The organizational unit that is assigned responsibility for quality assurance.
Term
Quality assurance plan
Definition
a plan that guarantees a quality approach and conformance to all customer requirements for all activities in a project.
Term
Quality audit
Definition
an official examination to determine whether practices conform to specified standards or a critical analysis of whether a deliverable meets quality criteria
Term
Quality Control (QC)
Definition
(1) The process of monitoring specific project results to determine if they comply with relevant quality standards and identifying ways to eliminate causes of unsatisfactory performance. (2) The organizational unit that is assigned responsibility for quality control.
Term
Quality criteria
Definition
the characteristics of a product that determines whether it meets certain requirements.
Term
Quality guide
Definition
the quality guide describes quality and configuration management procedures and is aimed at people directly involved with quality reviews, configuration management and technical exceptions.
Term
Quality plan (for a project)
Definition
the part of the project plan that concerns quality management and quality assurance strategies.
Term
Quality Planning
Definition
Identifying which quality standards are relevant to the project and determining how to apply them.
Term
Quality review
Definition
a review of a product against an established set of quality criteria.
Term
RAM
Definition
Responsibility Assignment Matrix
Term
RDU
Definition
Remaining Duration
Term
Recurring costs
Definition
expenditures against specific tasks that would occur on a repetitive basis. Examples are hire of computer equipment, tool maintenance, etc.
Term
Relationship
Definition
a logical connection between two activities.
Term
Remaining Duration (RDU)
Definition
The time needed to complete an activity or project.
Term
Re
Definition
planning
Term
Request for change
Definition
a proposal by the project manager for a change to the project as a result of a project issue report.
Term
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Definition
A type of bid document used to solicit proposals from prospective sellers of products or services. In some application areas it may have a narrower or more specific meaning.
Term
Request for Quotation (RFQ)
Definition
Generally, this term is equivalent to request for proposal, but with more specific application areas.
Term
Requirements
Definition
a negotiated set of measurable customer wants and needs.
Term
Requirements definition
Definition
statement of the needs that a project has to satisfy.
Term
Reserve
Definition
A provision in the project plan to mitigate cost and/or schedule risk. Often used with a modifier (e.g., management reserve, contingency reserve) to provide further detail on what types of risk are meant to be mitigated. The specific meaning of the modified term varies by application area.
Term
Resource
Definition
Any personnel, material or equipment required for the performance of an activity.
Term
Resource aggregation
Definition
summation of the requirements for each resource, and for each time period. Note: where the earliest start time of an activity is used alone, it is often termed an ‘early start’ aggregation. Similarly a ‘late start’ aggregation uses the latest start times.
Term
Resource allocation
Definition
scheduling of activities and the resources required by those activities, so that predetermined constraints of resource availability and/or project time are not exceeded.
Term
Resource analysis
Definition
the process of analyzing and optimizing the use of resources on a project. Often uses resource leveling and resource smoothing techniques.
Term
Resource assignment
Definition
the work on an activity related to a specific resource.
Term
Resource availability
Definition
the level of availability of a resource, which may vary over time.
Term
Resource breakdown structure
Definition
a hierarchical structure of resources that enables scheduling at the detailed requirements level, and roll up of both requirements and availabilities to a higher level.
Term
Resource calendar
Definition
a calendar that defines the working and non
Term
Resource constraint
Definition
limitation due to the availability of a resource.
Term
Resource accumulation
Definition
process of accumulating the requirements for each resource to give the total required to date at all times throughout the project.
Term
Resource driven task durations
Definition
task durations that are driven by the need for scarce resources.
Term
Resource histogram
Definition
a view of project data in which resource requirements, usage, and availability are shown using vertical bars against a horizontal time scale.
Term
Resource level
Definition
a specified level of resource units required by an activity per time unit.
Term
Resource Leveling
Definition
Any form of network analysis in which scheduling decisions (start and finish dates) are driven by resource management concerns (e.g., limited resource availability or difficult
Term
Resource
Definition
Limited Schedule
Term
Resource optimization
Definition
a term for resource leveling and resource smoothing.
Term
Resource plan
Definition
part of the definition statement stating how the program will be resource loaded and what supporting services, infrastructure and third party services are required.
Term
Resource Planning
Definition
Determining what resources (people, equipment, materials) are needed in what quantities to perform project activities.
Term
Resource requirement
Definition
the requirement for a particular resource by a particular activity.
Term
Resource scheduling
Definition
the process of determining dates on which activities should be performed in order to smooth the demand for resources, or to avoid exceeding stated constraints on these restraints.
Term
Resource smoothing
Definition
scheduling of activities, within the limits of their float, so that fluctuations in individual resource requirements are minimized. (In smoothing, as opposed to resource leveling, the project completion date may not be delayed)
Term
Responsibility matrix
Definition
a document correlating the work required by a work breakdown structure element to the functional organizations responsible for accomplishing the assigned tasks.
Term
Responsible organization
Definition
a defined unit within the organization structure which is assigned responsibility for accomplishing specific tasks, or cost accounts.
Term
Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
Definition
A structure which relates the project organization structure to the work breakdown structure to help ensure that each element of the project’s scope of work is assigned to a responsible individual.
Term
Responsibility Chart
Definition
See responsibility assignment matrix.
Term
Responsibility Matrix
Definition
See responsibility assignment matrix.
Term
Retainage
Definition
A portion of a contract payment that is held until contract completion in order to ensure full performance of the contract terms.
Term
Retention
Definition
a part of payment withheld until the project is completed in order to ensure satisfactory performance or completion of contract terms.
Term
Revenue cost
Definition
expenditure charged to the profit and loss account as incurred or accrued due.
Term
RFP
Definition
Request For Proposal
Term
RFQ
Definition
Request For Quotation
Term
Risk
Definition
The likelihood of the occurrence of an event expressed in terms of probability, impact, and a triggering event.
Term
Risk analysis
Definition
systematic use of available information to determine how often specified events may occur and the magnitude of their likely consequences. (A technique designed to quantify the impact of uncertainty)
Term
Risk assessment
Definition
the process of identifying potential risks, quantifying their likelihood of occurrence and assessing their likely impact on the project
Term
Risk avoidance
Definition
planning activities to avoid risks that have been identified.
Term
Risk Evaluation
Definition
process used to determine risk management priorities.
Term
Risk Event
Definition
A discrete occurrence that may affect the project for better or worse.
Term
Risk Identification
Definition
Determining which risk events are likely to affect the project.
Term
Risk management
Definition
systematic application of policies, procedures, methods and practices to the tasks of identifying, analyzing, evaluating, treating and monitoring risk. (The process whereby decisions are made to accept known or assessed risks and /or the implementation of actions to reduce the consequences or probability of occurrence.)
Term
Risk management plan
Definition
A document defining how project risk analysis and management is to be implemented in the context of a particular project.
Term
Risk matrix
Definition
a matrix with risks located in rows and with impact and likelihood in columns.
Term
Risk prioritizing
Definition
ordering of risks according first to their risk value, and then by which risks need to be considered for risk reduction, risk avoidance, and risk transfer.
Term
Risk Quantification
Definition
Evaluating the probability of risk event occurrence and effect.
Term
Risk Ranking
Definition
allocating a classification to the impact and likelihood of a risk.
Term
Risk Reduction
Definition
action taken to reduce the likelihood and impact of a risk.
Term
Risk Register
Definition
formal record of identified risks (a body of information listing all the risks identified for the project, explaining the nature of each risk and recording information relevant to its assessment and management).
Term
Risk response
Definition
contingency plans to manage a risk should it materialize (action to reduce the probability of the risk arising, or to reduce the significance of its detrimental impact if it does arise).
Term
Risk Response Control
Definition
Responding to changes in risk over the course of the project.
Term
Risk Response Development
Definition
Defining enhancement steps for opportunities and mitigation steps for threats.
Term
Risk, secondary
Definition
risk that can occur as a result of treating a risk.
Term
Risk sharing
Definition
diminution of a risk by sharing it with others, usually for some consideration.
Term
Risk transfer
Definition
a contractual arrangement between two parties for delivery and acceptance of a product where the liability for the costs of a risk is transferred from one party to the other.
Term
Risk treatment
Definition
selection and implementation of appropriate options for dealing with risk.
Term
Safety plan
Definition
the standards and methods which minimize to an acceptable level the likelihood of accident or damage to people or equipment
Term
Schedule
Definition
the timetable for a project. It shows how project tasks and milestones are planned out over a period of time.
Term
Schedule control
Definition
controlling schedule changes.
Term
Schedule dates
Definition
start and finish dates calculated with regard to resource or external constraints as well as project logic.
Term
Schedule performance index (SPI)
Definition
ratio of work accomplished versus work planned, for a specified time period. The SPI is an efficiency rating for work accomplishment, comparing work accomplished to what should have been accomplished.
Term
Schedule variance (cost)
Definition
the difference between the budgeted cost of work performed and the budgeted cost of work scheduled at any point in time.
Term
Scheduled finish
Definition
the earliest date on which an activity can finish, having regard to resource or external constraints as well as project logic.
Term
Scheduled start
Definition
the earliest date on which an activity can start, having regard to resource or external constraints as well as project logic.
Term
Scheduling
Definition
scheduling is the process of determining when project activities will take place depending on defined durations and precedent activities. Schedule constraints specify when an activity should start or end based on duration, predecessors, external predecessor relationships, resource availability, or target dates.
Term
Scope
Definition
the scope is the sum of work content of a project.
Term
Scope change
Definition
any change in a project scope that requires a change in the project’s cost or schedule.
Term
Scope change control
Definition
controlling changes to the scope.
Term
Scope verification
Definition
ensuring all identified project deliverables have been completed satisfactorily.
Term
Scope of work
Definition
a description of the work to be accomplished or resources to be supplied.
Term
Secondary risk
Definition
the risk that may occur as a result of invoking a risk response or fall
Term
S
Definition
Curve
Term
Schedule Variance (SV)
Definition
(1) Any difference between the scheduled completion of an activity and the actual completion of that activity. (2) In earned value, BCWP less BCWS.
Term
Sequence
Definition
sequence is the order in which activities will occur with respect to one another.
Term
SF
Definition
Scheduled Finish date or Start
Term
Should
Definition
Cost Estimates – An estimate of the cost of a product or service used to provide an assessment of the reasonableness of a prospective contractor’s proposed cost.
Term
Slack
Definition
calculated time span during which an event has to occur within the logical and imposed constraints of the network, without affecting the total project duration. Note 1: it may be made negative by an imposed date. Note 2. the term slack is used as referring only to an event. See PERT.
Term
Slip chart
Definition
a pictorial representation of the predicted completion dates of milestones (also referred to as trend chart)
Term
Slippage
Definition
the amount of slack or float time used up by the current activity due to a delayed start or increased duration.
Term
Soft project
Definition
a project that is intended to bring about change and does not have a physical end product.
Term
Soft skills
Definition
soft skills include team building, conflict management and negotiation.
Term
Solicitation
Definition
Obtaining quotations, bids, offers, or proposals as appropriate.
Term
Solicitation Planning
Definition
Documenting product requirements and identifying potential sources.
Term
Source Selection
Definition
Choosing from among potential contractors.
Term
SPI
Definition
Schedule Performance Index
Term
Splittable Activity
Definition
activity that can be interrupted in order to allow its resources to be transferred temporarily to another activity.
Term
SS
Definition
Scheduled Start date or Start
Term
Staff Acquisition
Definition
Getting the human resources needed assigned to and working on the project.
Term
Stage
Definition
a natural high level subsection of a project that has its own organizational structure, lifespan and manager.
Term
Stage payment
Definition
payment part way through a project at some predetermined milestone.
Term
Stakeholder
Definition
Individuals and organizations involved in or affected by project activities. Project managers, sponsors, and clients/customers are all stakeholders.
Term
Start Date
Definition
The date project work is officially scheduled to begin.
Term
Start event of a project
Definition
event with succeeding, but no preceding activities.
Term
Start
Definition
to
Term
Start
Definition
to
Term
Start
Definition
to
Term
Starting activity
Definition
a starting activity has no predecessors. It does not have to wait for any other activity to start.
Term
Statement of Work (SOW)
Definition
A narrative description of products or services to be supplied under contract.
Term
Status
Definition
The comparison of actual against planned progress to determine variance and corrective action. Possible statuses are: Active, Approved, Cancelled, Completed, On
Term
Steering Committee– A group of high
Definition
level stakeholders responsible for providing guidance on overall strategic direction and represent the goals of the customer/client.
Term
Steering group
Definition
a body established to monitor the project and give guidance to the project sponsor or project manager.
Term
Subcontract
Definition
a contractual document which legally transfers the responsibility and effort of providing goods, services, data, or other hardware, from one firm to another.
Term
Subcontractor
Definition
an organization that supplies goods or services to a supplier.
Term
Subnet or Subnetwork
Definition
a division of a project network diagram representing a subproject.
Term
Subproject
Definition
a group of activities represented as a single activity within a higher level of the overall project.
Term
Success criteria
Definition
criteria to be used for judging if the project is successful.
Term
Success factors
Definition
critical factors that will ensure achievement of success criteria.
Term
Successor
Definition
a successor is an activity whose start or finish depends on the start or finish of a predecessor activity.
Term
Successor Activity
Definition
(1) In the arrow diagramming method, the activity which departs a node. (2) In the precedence diagramming method, the “to” activity.
Term
Sunk costs
Definition
unavoidable costs (even if the project were to be terminated)
Term
Super
Definition
critical activity
Term
Supplier
Definition
includes contractors, consultants and any organization that supplies services or goods to the customer.
Term
SV
Definition
Schedule Variance
Term
System
Definition
the complete technical output of the project including technical products.
Term
Systems and procedures
Definition
Systems and procedure detail the standard methods, practices, and procedures of handling frequently occurring events within the project.
Term
Systems management
Definition
management that includes the prime activities of systems analysis, systems design and engineering and systems development.
Term
Target finish Date
Definition
The date planned to finish work on a project, initiative, or activity.
Term
Target Schedule
Definition
See baseline.
Term
Target start date
Definition
The planned date for start of work on a project, initiative, or activity.
Term
Task
Definition
See activity.
Term
TC
Definition
Target Completion date
Term
Team Development
Definition
Developing individual and group skills to enhance project performance.
Term
Team Members
Definition
See project team members.
Term
TF
Definition
Total Float or Target Finish date
Term
Time
Definition
Scaled Network Diagram
Term
Target Completion Date
Definition
a date which contractors strive towards for completion of the activity.
Term
Target Date
Definition
date imposed on an activity or project by the user. There are two types of target dates; target start dates, and target finish dates.
Term
Target Finish Date (TF)
Definition
The date work is planned (targeted) to finish on an activity.
Term
Target Start Date (TS)
Definition
The date work is planned (targeted) to start on an activity.
Term
Target start date
Definition
the date planned to start work on an activity.
Term
Task
Definition
the smallest indivisible part of an activity when it is broken down to a level best understood and performed by a specific person or organization.
Term
Team
Definition
a team is made up of two or more people working interdependently towards a common goal and a shared reward.
Term
Team building
Definition
the ability to gather the right people to join a project team and get them working together for the benefit of a project.
Term
Team development
Definition
developing skills, as a group and individually, that enhance project performance.
Term
Team leader
Definition
person responsible for leading a team.
Term
Technical assurance
Definition
the monitoring of the technical integrity of products.
Term
Technical guide
Definition
a document that guides managers, team leaders and technical assurance coordinators on planning the production of products.
Term
Technical products
Definition
products produced by a project for an end user.
Term
Tender
Definition
a document proposing to meet a specification in a certain way and at a stated price (or on a particular financial basis), an offer of price and conditions under which the tenderer is willing to undertake work for the client.
Term
Termination
Definition
completion of the project, either upon formal acceptance of its deliverables by the client and/or the disposal of such deliverables at the end of their life
Term
Terms of reference
Definition
a specification of a team member’s responsibilities and authorities within the project.
Term
Tied activities
Definition
activities that have to be performed sequentially or within a predetermined time of each other
Term
Time analysis
Definition
the process of calculating the early and late dates for each activity on a project, based on the duration of the activities and the logical relations between them.
Term
Time based network
Definition
a linked bar chart, a bar chart that shows the logical and time relationships between activities.
Term
Time limited scheduling
Definition
scheduling of activities, so that the specified project duration, or any imposed dates, are not exceeded.
Term
Time
Definition
limited resource scheduling
Term
Time now
Definition
specified date from which the forward analysis is deemed to commence (The date to which current progress is reported. Sometimes referred to as the status date because all progress information entered for a project should be correct as of this date)
Term
Time recording
Definition
the recording of effort expended on each activity in order to update a project plan.
Term
Time
Definition
scaled logic drawing
Term
Time
Definition
scaled network diagram
Term
Time sheet
Definition
a means of recording the actual effort expended against project and non
Term
Top down cost estimating
Definition
the total project cost is estimated based on historical costs and other project variables and then subdivided down to individual activities.
Term
Total Float (TF)
Definition
time by which an activity may be delayed or extended without affecting the total project duration (or violating a target finish date). See float
Term
Total Quality Management (TQM)
Definition
a strategic, integrated management systems for customer satisfaction that guides all employees in every aspect of their work.
Term
TQM
Definition
Total Quality Management
Term
Transit time
Definition
dependency link that requires time and no other resources. It may be a negative time
Term
Total Quality Management (TQM)
Definition
A common approach to implementing a quality improvement program within an organization.
Term
TS
Definition
Target Start date
Term
Turnaround Report
Definition
a report created specially for the various responsible managers to enter their progress status against a list of activities that are scheduled to be in progress during a particular time window.
Term
Unlimited schedule
Definition
infinite schedule, schedule produced without resource constraint.
Term
Users
Definition
the group of people who are intended to benefit from the project.
Term
Value
Definition
a standard, principle, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable.
Term
Value management
Definition
a structured means of improving business effectiveness that includes the use of management techniques such as value engineering and value analysis.
Term
Value engineering
Definition
a technique for analyzing qualitative and quantitative costs and benefits of component parts of a proposed system.
Term
Value planning
Definition
a technique for assessing, before significant investment is made, the desirability of a proposal based on the value that will accrue to the organization from that proposal.
Term
Variance
Definition
a discrepancy between the actual and planned performance on a project, either in terms of schedule or cost.
Term
Variance at completion
Definition
the difference between budget at completion and estimate at completion.
Term
Variation
Definition
a change in scope or timing of work which a supplier is obliged to do under a contract.
Term
Variation orders
Definition
the document authorizing an approved technical change or variation.
Term
WBS
Definition
Work Breakdown Structure
Term
What
Definition
if analysis
Term
What
Definition
if simulation
Term
Work
Definition
the total number of hours, people or effort required to complete a task.
Term
Work breakdown code
Definition
a code that represents the ‘family tree’ of an element in a work breakdown structure.
Term
Workaround
Definition
A response to a negative risk event. Distinguished from contingency plan in that a workaround is not planned in advance of the occurrence of the risk event.
Term
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Definition
A deliverable oriented grouping of project elements that organizes and defines the total work scope of the project. Each descending level represents an increasingly detailed definition of the project work.
Term
Work Item
Definition
See activity.
Term
Workload
Definition
workload is the amount of work units assigned to a resource over a period of time.
Term
Work Package
Definition
A group of related tasks that are defined at the same level within a work breakdown structure. (In traditional cost/schedule systems, the criteria for defining work packages is as follows:
Term
3. Each work package has an assigned budget that is time
Definition
phased over the duration of the work package,
Term
5. Each work package has a schedule that is integrated with higher
Definition
level schedules).
Term
Work Units
Definition
work units provide the measurement units for resources. For example, people as a resource can be measured by the number of hours they work.
Term
Zero Float
Definition
zero float is a condition where there is no excess time between activities. An activity with zero float is considered a critical activity. If the duration of any critical activity is increased (the activity slips), the project finish date will slip
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