F-I

fast tracking

The process of reducing the number of sequential activities and replacing them with parallel activities.

finish date

The actual or estimated date of an activityís completion.

fixed consumption

The absolute quantity of a material resource to be used to complete an assignment.

fixed cost

A set cost for a task that remains constant regardless of the taskís duration.

fixed date

A calendar date that cannot be moved or changed during the schedule.

fixed-duration task

A task in which the duration is a fixed value, regardless of any changes to the work or resources.

fixed-unit task

A task in which the assigned units are a fixed value, regardless of any changes to the duration or resources.

float

The amount of time that an activity can slip past its duration without delaying the rest of the project.

flowchart

See network diagram.

free float

The excess time available before the start of the following activity, assuming both activities start on their early start date.

Gantt chart

A type of chart, created by Henry Gantt, that presents the sequence and time required for a projectís activities; typically viewed as horizontal bars against a time scale.

generic resource

In Project Professional, a placeholder resource used to specify the skill a resource needs in order to be assigned to a specific task.

goal

A one-sentence declaration of what one intends to accomplish.

group

To combine or arrange tasks or resources according to specific criteria.

histogram

A graphic display of resource usage over a period of time.

immediate activity

An activity that can be forced to start on its earliest feasible date, even if that means overloading a resource.

implementation stage

That stage of the project cycle where products and services are field tested and measured.

imposed finish

A finish date for an activity that is dictated by external constraints.

imposed start

A start date for an activity that is dictated by external constraints.

in progress

An activity that has been started but not yet completed.

indirect costs

Resources expended that are not directly identified to any specific project, product, or service.

integration

The process of bringing disparate people, activities, business units, and other items together to perform more effectively.

interim plan

A set of start and finish dates that you save at certain stages of your project.

isolated activity

An activity with neither predecessors nor successors.