Scheduling and Planning Terms & Glossary

Fast Tracking

Fast tracking is a way to speed up a project by working on different tasks at the same time instead of one after another. This scheduling technique can shorten the project timeline without changing what the project aims to achieve. While fast tracking can help finish projects faster, it may also introduce some risks, like mistakes or the need for rework, because tasks are overlapping. Careful planning and coordination are essential to manage these risks effectively.

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Scheduling and Planning

Hammock Activity

A hammock activity in project scheduling is a task that covers a stretch of time between two points on a project timeline, acting like a "hammock" that hangs between them. It combines smaller, often unrelated tasks into one larger task, which helps simplify tracking and reporting. The duration of a hammock activity depends on the start and end dates of the tasks it includes, making it flexible and easy to adjust as the project timeline changes.

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Scheduling and Planning

Lead Time

Lead Time is the time it takes to complete a project or task from start to finish. In project management, it includes everything from planning and organizing resources to carrying out the work and delivering the final result. Knowing the lead time helps managers set realistic deadlines, allocate resources properly, and keep the project on schedule, making it essential for efficient project delivery.

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Scheduling and Planning

Level of Effort

Level of effort (LOE) estimates work for tasks without measurable outputs, like support or admin. It ensures essential, ongoing activities don’t disrupt project timelines.

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Scheduling and Planning

Linear Scheduling

Linear scheduling visualizes tasks sequentially on a timeline, mapping dependencies and progress rates. Ideal for repetitive workflows in construction, it optimizes resources and prevents conflicts.

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Scheduling and Planning

Look Ahead Schedule

A look-ahead schedule details tasks for 2–6 weeks, improving coordination, resource management, and short-term project focus.

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Scheduling and Planning

Phase Gate Process

The phase gate process segments projects into phases with decision points to review progress, control costs, mitigate risks, and improve outcomes in construction.

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Scheduling and Planning

Project Crashing

Project crashing is a project management technique to reduce timelines by allocating extra resources to critical tasks, optimising cost, time, and quality for efficient delivery.

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Scheduling and Planning

Reverse Scheduling

Reverse scheduling starts from a fixed end date, planning backwards to ensure tasks meet deadlines, optimize resources, and minimize idle time.

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Scheduling and Planning

Time Impact Analysis (TIA)

Time Impact Analysis (TIA) is a project scheduling technique used to assess the potential effects of unforeseen events or changes on a project's timeline. By integrating a model of the delay into the current project timeline, TIA helps predict its impact on the completion date, enabling proactive adjustments to keep the project on track.

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Scheduling and Planning

WBS Dictionary

A WBS Dictionary defines each part of a project’s Work Breakdown Structure, detailing tasks, resources, and deadlines. It ensures clarity, roles, and organized timelines.

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