F

fast tracking

Doing activities in parallel that are normally done sequentially.

feasibility plan

A documented expression of what your research has told you. This plan is written to help determine the validity of a proposed project, a section of a project, or the scope of a given project.

final project report

The collection of all of the cumulative reports may serve as a final record of each phase s work, with a few additions. It includes the project vision statement, the project proposal, project plan, the WBS, the PND, meeting minutes, any Project Change Requests forms, all written notices relevant to the project deliverables, client acceptance agreement, and the post-project audit.

Finish No Earlier Than (FNET) constraints

This semiflexible constraint requires that a task be completed on or after a specified date.

Finish No Later Than (FNLT) constraints

This semiflexible constraint requires that a task be completed on or before this date.

finish-to-finish (FF) tasks

These tasks require that the predecessor task and the successor task be completed on the exact date. An example is rolling out a new software package and finishing the user training sessions. While users are in the new training session, the new software should be installed and configured on their workstations by the time the training session ends.

finish-to-start (FS) tasks

These tasks are successors and cannot begin until the predecessor task is completed. An example is installing network cards before connecting PCs to the Internet.

flexible constraints

These constraints do not have dates assigned to their activities and are only bound by their predecessor and successor activities. Use flexible constraints as much as possible.

flexible deadline

A deadline that doesn t assign an exact time for completion.

float

The amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project completion. Technically, there are three different types of float: Free float is the total time a single activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any successor activities. Total float is the total time an activity can be delayed without delaying project completion. Project float is the total time the project can be delayed without passing the customer s expected completion date.

flowchart

A chart that illustrates how the parts of a system occur in sequence.

focus group

A collection of users from all of the departments impacted by the proposed technology of an IT project.

force majeure

A powerful and unexpected event, such as a hurricane or other disaster.

forcing

A conflict resolution method where one person dominates or forces her point of view or solution to a conflict.

forecasting

An educated estimate of how long the project will take to complete. It can also refer to how much the project may cost to complete.

formal acceptance

The formal acceptance of a project s deliverables is a process that is completed by the client of the project and the appropriate members of the project team. These acceptances are contingent on a project acceptance agreement.

formal power

The type of power where the project manager has been assigned by senior management to be in charge of the project.

fully burdened workload

The amount of work, in hours, required by the staff to complete each phase of the project.

functional structure

An organizational structure that groups staff members according to their area of expertise (sales, marketing, construction, and so on). Functional structures require the project team members to report directly to the functional manager. In this type of structure, the project manager s authority and decision-making ability is less than the functional manager s.

future value

A formula to calculate the future value of present money.