B

Backward pass Calculating a late start and late finish date by starting at the end of a network diagram and working back through each path until reaching the start of the network diagram. This is a part of CPM, which is a mathematical technique to develop the project schedule.

Benchmarking Compares previous similar activities to the current project activities to provide a standard to measure performance against. It's often used to derive ideas for quality improvements for the project.

Benefit measurement methods A type of decision model that compares the benefits obtained from a variety of new project requests by evaluating them using the same criteria and comparing the results.

Bottom up estimating Every activity or work item is individually estimated and then rolled up, or added together, to come up with a total project estimate. This is a very accurate means of estimating, provided the estimates at the work package level are accurate.

Budget analyst A person in the department or organization who handles the budgetary elements of enterprise.

Budget at completion (BAC) The total amount of the project budget as estimated during the planning phase.

Budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP) See earned value.

Budgeted cost of work scheduled (BCWS) See planned value.

Business analyst (BA) Person in charge of understanding the business unit's needs when assessing a project request. The business analyst might be assigned directly from the business unit itself, or may be a part of the IT organization.

Business case Formally documents components of the project assessment, including a description of the analysis method and the results.

Business process reengineering Applying changes to an IT system and putting those elements into place based on a project request and a business analyst's examination of the work flow-how people handle their work relative to the request.

Business requirements The big picture results of fulfilling a project.