X/Y/Z

Acceptance Criteria	Performance criteria and essential conditions that must be met before project deliverables can be accepted. Usually listed within a PRD or Project Charter document.
Accrual method	Costs for work and fixed costs against tasks in Microsoft Project can vary how they are accrued against time. For example, Ł 1,000 for a 10 day task could be accrued at: Start - Ł 1,000 on day one. End - Ł 1,000 on day ten. Prorated - Ł 100 each day.
Action Bar	Within Project Web Access, the action bar exhibits toolbar-like functionality providing quick links to a variety of options and commands. The buttons within the action bar vary by mode. Personal Gantt Chart: Project Center: Resource Center:
Action Pane	A common name for the side pane within Project Web Access. Hyperlinks within this pane provide links that allow common actions to be performed.
Active Directory	A Microsoft server-based technology providing controls for user permissions and access rights within a server domain. Project Server can synchronize resource information between the active directory and the enterprise resource pool. This synchronization can relate to a user's security permissions, the groups they belong to and the categories of information they can access.
ActiveX	A Microsoft technology for displaying and managing data within web pages. ActiveX grids are used extensively within Project Web Access and can also be displayed within the normal workspace within Microsoft Project 2002 and 2003.
Activity	Another name for a task. Projects are made up of tasks; which, when all completed, indicate the completion of the project and a meeting of the project's objectives.
Activity on Arrow	A network diagramming method where tasks are represented by arrows, which in turn are linked to nodes. Activity-on-arrow is not supported by Microsoft Project.
Activity on Node	The network diagramming method supported by Microsoft Project. Tasks are represented by nodes, which in turn are related to each other by using links. A complete set of nodes and links is displayed in a network diagram.
Actual Bars	Bars on a Gantt chart drawn from the actual start to complete through for tasks in progress and to actual finish for those that have been completed. Usually displayed as:
Actual Cost (Assignment)	Costs incurred for work already performed by a resource on a task. This value can be calculated by Microsoft Project or entered by the user.
Actual Cost (Resource)	For all assigned tasks, this value shows the sum of costs incurred for the work already performed by a resource.
Actual Cost (Task)	Costs for work already performed by all resources on a task, plus any other actual costs for the task. This value can be calculated by Microsoft Project or entered by the user.
Actual Duration	Until the project is progressed, this value is 0. If an actual start and actual finish are present for the task, this value will be the duration between them. If no actual finish is present, it is a value entered by the user, or calculated around the task's percent complete.
Actual Start	The date (and optionally time) that the task or assignment commenced. Can be entered (over the default of NA) or calculated from an entered actual finish or an entered percent complete value. This value can also be taken from the earliest entry into a team member's timesheet against an assigned task.
Actual Finish	The date (and optionally time) that the task or assignment was completed. Can be entered (over the default of NA) or calculated from an entered percent complete value of 100%.
Actual Work (Assignment)	Until the project is tracked with actuals, this value is 0. When actual work information for tasks or assignments is added, this value will increase. It will also increase, relative to the task's percent complete value if the updating task status updates resource status option is selected. It can also be an entered value within a a team member's timesheet.
Actual Work (Resource)	The amount of work that has already been done against the assignments for a resource. It is a calculated value.
Actual Work (Task)	The amount of work that has already been done against a task. This value can be calculated by Microsoft Project or entered by the user.
ACWP	Within earned value analysis, the Actual Cost of Work Performed. This field shows actual costs incurred for work and any fixed costs for tasks, up to the project status date or its current date. When compared to BCWP, cost variance values (CV) can be determined. In Microsoft Project 2007, ACWP is also referred to as AC.
Adjust Actuals	A mechanism by which an authorized user can modify actual work recorded within a timesheet that has been protected or is outside a managed period. The command to adjust actuals can be found within the Resource Center of Project Web Access.
Administrative Project	Within Microsoft Project 2003 Professional, administrative projects contain administrative tasks that enterprise resources can be assigned against. This assigned work will affect resource availability and provide a more accurate assessment of true resource utilization, for example within the resource availability graph.
Administrative Task	Tasks within administrative projects to manage and collect non-project time. Examples of such tasks could include: vacation, jury duty, sick leave, general administration and so on. To ensure that work recorded against administrative tasks is correctly managed, apply suitable enterprise outline code values.
Administrator	Within a Project Server environment, the Administrator user possesses the greatest amount of access permissions. For security purposes, several users may hold an administrative role, each able to administer the components within the database. Administrators would usually be part of a programme office.
Affected Task	A task or number of tasks that will be affected by the manifestation of a project risk.
Aggregation	The summing up of resource demands over time. If a resource is scheduled to work on two tasks simultaneously, aggregation will add up the units assigned to the tasks per time unit and display the total units assigned - in this case two (or 200%). If this number exceeds the resource's max units, then a resource conflict may ensue.
ALAP	Tasks will be scheduled to finish on their late finish date rather than their early finish date (as with ASAP). This can be set on a task-by-task basis and it is the default setting when projects are scheduled from a finish date (established within the Project Information dialog box).
Analagous Estimating	An estimating technique that takes duration, work, cost and scope estimates from previous similar tasks and applies the estimate to new tasks. This technique is usually employed in the early phases of a project and is most effective when there is significant familiarity between the tasks providing and using the estimate and where the person preparing the estimate has appropriate expertise and knowledge. See also parametric estimating.
Analysis Toolbar	Provides shortcuts to additional analysis functions and modules.
Application Area	A way to group common aspects of projects. An example of this could be in defining common products, deliverables, types of customer or industry sector. Enterprise outline codes could be used to define common application areas across a programme or portfolio. The portfolio analyzer could be used to sort and subtotal work and cost values by application area.
Arrow	Within the activity-on-arrow network diagramming method, tasks are represented by arrows that connect to nodes.
As-Of Date	Another term for the current date - the boundary between the past and the future.
ASAP	By default, tasks are scheduled to commence as soon as they possibly can. This is either on the project start date or as soon as their predecessors have been completed. This can be set on a task-by-task basis and it is the default setting when projects are scheduled from a start date (established within the Project Information dialog box).
Assign Resources Dialog	A dialog box to quickly create assignments. Invoked by the button. Only shows assigned units values and not assigned work. Can be used for assignment drag and drop. For more sophisticated assignments, use the task entry view.
Assigned Units	The rate at which the resource will perform an assignment. Usually at a flat rate (100% being the default), units can be varied with a contoured assignment. Units assigned should not exceed the max units of resource availability. Assigned units is a variable within the scheduling formula.
Assigned Work	Work (and hence time) assigned to calculate the duration of an assignment. Part of the scheduling formula, it is calculated as the total work for the assignment less any overtime work. If only one resource is assigned to a task, the assigned work and the total work are the same. Assigned work can be entered by a team member for new tasks created within a personal Gantt chart.
Assignment Delay	To make an assignment commence later than the scheduled start of a task (or any other assignments against that task), an assignment delay can be manually applied. This can be achieved within the assignments information dialog or within a task form displaying the 'Resource Schedule' details. Assignment delays can not be cleared by resource leveling.
Assignment Finish	The date (and time) at which assigned work will be completed by.
Assignment Start	The date (and time) at which an assignment can commence. Calculated as the task's (that the assignment is against) scheduled start plus any assignment delay or leveling delay values.
Assignment Drag and Drop	A method to quickly create assignments by dragging a resource from the assign resources dialog to a task on a row of a table by using the cursor. Multiple assignments will use the cursor. A drag and drop assignment will have the assigned units equal to the resource's defined max units.
Assignment Replacement	The process where an assignment for one resource is swapped with another resource. When this is accomplished, check that the assigned work and assigned units values are appropriate to the new assignment.
Assignments	An assignment is the relationship between a task and a resource to perform the task. This assignment creates measurable work - one of the three project resources. Assignments can be edited within task forms and the resource usage and task usage views. The assigned units value within an assignment can be a flat constant value or a contour can be applied. Assignments are also published to team members and appear as tasks within their personal Gantt charts and personal timesheets.
Assumptions	Assumptions list certain aspects of a project that are expected to occur, but still possess a degree of uncertainty (for example; it is assumed that no more than three formal change control requests will be issued by the a project sponsor). Usually listed within the CRD and PRD documents, assumptions possess a degree of risk.
Authentication	A mechanism that controls a user's ability to login to to a Project Server database. Project Server can be set up to allow just Windows authentication, just Project Server authentication or mixed mode - a combination of both authentication types.
AutoFilter	AutoFilters are a quick and easy way to select relevant information within one of Microsoft Project's tables. They are turned on with and turned off with . Available to each field within the table, they provide selections based upon the field's values as depicted in the table. Global Filters can be created by saving AutoFilter criteria.
Autolink	If tasks are cut or copied, their links may be re-established when pasted if the Autolink option is selected. This also affects when tasks are dragged and dropped or inserted within a sequence of already-linked tasks. This check box can be selected or cleared within the Schedule tab of the Options dialog box (Tools..Options).
Automatic Leveling	The mechanism by which a project's resource assignments undergo leveling every time a change is made to the tasks/resources/assignments or manually invoked by using the button within the Resource Leveling dialog box.
Automatic Scheduling	The mechanism by which a project's schedule (calculated with critical path analysis) is recalculated every time a change is made. The check box allows automatic scheduling to be selected or cleared within the Calculation tab of the Options dialog box. Manual scheduling can be activated by pressing the F9 key or by a shortcut menu within the select all button.
Automatic Updating	Options (within the Update Project dialog box) to update work as complete through or reschedule uncompleted work to start based around the project's current date or the project's status date.
Availability Graph	Within Microsoft Project Professional, availability graphs can display overall work for a resource (usually a team member), assigned work and remaining availability across the entire programme. They can be accessed from the assign resources dialog and the build team from enterprise dialog. Within Project Web Access, availability graphs provide a similar function. Powered by Office Web Components, they can be found within the resource center.
Availability Profile	Dates when a resource is available to a project at a specific unit of availability. For example; a technical specialist may only be available from March 1 through March 31 at 50% of their available time, or three technicians are available in May, two from July to August and four from the beginning of September. Established within the resource information dialog ( ).

BAC	Within earned value analysis, the budget at completion value for a task is equivalent to its baseline cost.
Background Cell Highlighting	An option when formatting text fonts or text styles, a cell's background can be set to a specific color and pattern to highlight important data. Background cell highlighting is only available in Project 2007 and above.
Backward Pass	A calculation within critical path analysis that determines the late start and late finish dates for each task in the project, along with slack (float) values.
Bar (Task)	A patterned bar on a Gantt chart representing the duration and schedule of a task:
Bar Styles	A way to format a Gantt chart's bars to emphasize attributes including; critical tasks, milestones, summary tasks, and slack. Text can also be added to the bars. One set of styles is associated with each chart-type view. The view's parameters (including bar styles) are saved with the current project document. Set by the Format..Bar Styles command or fast-formatted using the Gantt Chart Wizard. Within Project Web Access, bar styles are predefined and hence consistent for every user. They can be edited by a user with administrative permissions.
Base Calendar	A calendar that specifies shift patterns of working time and non working time for a project or set of resources. A base calendar differs from a resource calendar, which specifies working and nonworking time for an individual resource. Within a Project Server environment, base calendars are defined (by default) within the enterprise global template.
Baseline	A copy of project information prior to updating a project with progress. When a baseline is created, current schedule values are copied into their relative baseline ones: Tasks (start and finish dates, duration, work, cost, splits). Resources (work, cost). Assignments (start and finish dates, work, cost). Timephased work and cost for tasks, resources and assignments. This provides a clear comparison about the status of the project; if it is meeting its baseline or not. Created with the command: Tools..Tracking..Save Baseline. Interim baselines can also be created to assist in what-if? scenarios. Within Project Server 2003, the master baseline for a project can be protected.
Baseline Bars	Bars on a Gantt chart depicting the baseline start and finish dates for tasks. Shown below as a grey baseline bar below a normal task bar in blue: Baseline bars can be added to a view by editing the view's bar styles. The Tracking Gantt views displays baseline bars by default.
Baseline Cost (Task)	At the point of baseline creation, the current cost for the task (work related costs + fixed costs).
Baseline Duration (Task)	The task's current duration, at the point of baseline creation.
Baseline Start (Task)	The scheduled start of tasks at the point of baseline creation.
Baseline Finish (Task)	The scheduled finish of tasks at the point of baseline creation.
Baseline Work (Resource)	At the point of baseline creation, the total work against all assignments for a specific resource.
Baseline Work (Task)	At the point of baseline creation, the current work for the task.
BCWP	Within earned value analysis, the Budgeted Cost of Work Performed (also called earned value). A measure of the cost of work performed up to the status date or the current date. It indicates how much of the budget should have been spent, in view of the amount of work done so far, and the baseline cost for the tasks and assignments that have been progressed. Microsoft Project calculates it as the task's baseline cost multiplied by percent complete. It can be compared to ACWP to determine CV (cost variance) values and to BCWS to determine SV (schedule variance values). In Microsoft Project 2007, BCWP is referred to as Earned Value (or EV).
BCWS	Within earned value analysis, the Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled. How much needs to be spent to complete all the tasks in the project as of the project's status date. In Microsoft Project 2007, BCWS is referred to as Planned Value (or PV).
Bill of Materials	A formal listing of the physical assemblies and subassemblies that are required to fabricate a product.
Bottom-Up Planning	A technique for creating a project's outline by first considering the tasks and milestones that are required prior to defining the phases that will summarize the detail. See also top-down planning.
Box Styles	Formatting options within the network diagram to show specific task fields. These styles can be customized and applied against different task attributes: critical, non-critical, summary tasks, milestones and so on.
Build Team From Enterprise	Within Microsoft Project Professional, the Build Team From Enterprise dialog box provides a convenient way to create a resource pool for a project from resources within the enterprise resource pool. Placeholder resources within the local pool can be replaced by real people (usually team members) within the enterprise pool. When building the team, filters can be applied to select suitable resources, for example possessing a suitable skill, or being at a particular level of the Resource Breakdown Structure. An availability graph can also be used to display resource availability across the entire programme. The build team from enterprise tool would normally be used by project managers or resource managers.
Budget Resources	Available in Project 2007 and above, budget resources are used to enter the maximum capacity for a project to consume cost, work, or materials for a project. Budgets are applied at the project level by assigning a budget resource to the project summary task as either a total value or as specific timephased values.

Calculated Field	A custom field in which the contents display values relative to a formula or equation. These formulae can be copied in from other project files, from the GLOBAL.MPT on the current PC or from the enterprise global template. Calculated fields can be used to: Show cost / interim baseline cost performance. Compare dates to show slippage values. Display graphical indicators instead of numeric values. Enterprise fields can also contain calculated values and should be used in preference to project-specific calculated fields when working within a Project Server environment.
Calendar	A definition of working time and non working time (in shift patterns) that can be applied to individual resources working on the project, or to the project and the tasks within it. The default calendar is called a base calendar. Calendars are edited or created within the Change Working Time dialog box (Tools..Change Working Time). The Organizer allows this component to be shared between projects. Within a Project Server environment, base calendars are defined (by default) within the enterprise global template. As such, working and nonworking time is usually non-editable within a local project.
Calendar Exceptions	Specific working or nonworking days or periods can be set as calendar exceptions. In addition, calendar exceptions can be set to follow recurring patterns, for example making every January 1st a nonworking day. Calendar exceptions are a specific Project 2007 feature.
Calendar View	Project tasks are displayed in a workplanner format, with task bars spanning the days or weeks on which the tasks are scheduled. Tasks can also be created and edited here with care.
Calendar Work Weeks	Work weeks define the default shift patterns within calendars. In addition, custom work weeks can be defined to allow shift patterns to be applied against particular date ranges, for example to have a longer shift pattern for days within a particular month or a shorter shift pattern for days within another month. Calendar work weeks are a specific Project 2007 feature.
Can Level	Applying to resources, a switch (Yes/No) to allow the chosen resource to be a part of the leveling process.
Category	Within a Project Server database, categories determine the how a user or group of users can access specific projects, resources and views within Project Web Access. Categories work in conjunction with security templates in defining what a user can see and do within a Project Server environment.
Cause-And-Effect Diagram	A brainstorming technique where project risks are analyzed by the project team. Each risk is considered, along with the actions or outcomes (triggers) that would cause the risk to manifest.
Cell	An intersection of a row and a column within a table, a cell contains field information about a specific object (task, resource or assignment).
Cell Drag and Drop	A mechanism to move (dependant upon its check box being selected or cleared within the Edit tab of the Options dialog box) either: A cell's contents to a different cell. Or an entire object task / resource to a different row of a table, having first selected a row heading.
Change Control Board	A formally-identified group of stakeholders responsible for reviewing / evaluating and approving / rejecting change control requests.
Change Controls	Changes (often from the sponsor) that affect the project. Usually impacting the project's objectives, they can be compared to the agreed client requirements definition / project requirements definition to decide upon their inclusion or exclusion, together with the impact that they will have. May require a revision to the project's baseline. Within a Project Server environment, change controls could be included within linked documents.
Change Highlighting	When changes are made to project data, all affected task resource and assignment fields are highlighted within displayed tables. For example; when a task duration is changed, this may affect the project's schedule, so all other tasks affected by this change will be highlighted. The color of a changed cell is controlled by text styles. Change highlighting is only available in Project 2007 and above.
Chart	A type of view containing a table to the left and a timescale to the right. Delineated by a divider bar. Types of chart include: Gantt chart. Resource usage. Task usage. Personal Gantt chart.
Check In/Out	When a project is opened read-write from a Project Server database, it is checked out. The data tables within the database are locked to ensure that no other user can overwrite any checked-out data. Closing a project will check in the data tables and make them fully accessible to any other authorized user. Resources within an enterprise resource pool can also be checked out (for example to have a standard rate amended) and then subsequently checked back in. Check in / out is also utliized when saving projects offline.
Circular Relationship	A network path that passes through the same node (task) twice; for example if task (C) is the successor to task (B), but C is also a predecessor to task (A), which is in turn a predecessor to task (B). Will cause an error in critical path analysis. Microsoft Project will automatically test for circular relationships within a single project. When cross-project links exist, circular dependencies are tested for when a project plan is opened. In this situation, any circular links are more difficult to find and resolve.
Claim	A request for payment (usually between one or more stakeholders) resulting from a failure (for example in providing a project deliverable) against which a legally-binding contract is in place.
Client Access License (CAL)	A license privilege to allow access to data data within a Project Server database. When Project Web Access is started for the first time on a specific device, a CAL license is activated to permit the download of necessary ActiveX controls providing the ability to see and manipulate Project Server data. A CAL is also provided with each Microsoft Project Professional license.
Client Requirements Definition	What the client / sponsor wants from the project and often a contractual obligation. Usually contains the following headings: Objectives - why do it. Scope - project boundaries. Deliverables - what it will provide. Constraints - conditions against the project; often in terms of time and of cost. Dependant / driver projects - other related projects or parts of projects. Assumptions - listed unknowns about the project. Also referred to as a CRD or Terms of Reference (TOR). Within a Project Server environment, consider making the CRD a linked document.
Closing Process	A process (or number of processes) used to mark all tasks within a phase or project as complete and to transfer the product(s) produced by the phase or project to a relevant stakeholder. Clearly-identified milestones can be used to indicate the completion of closing processes.
Code	A free-format field providing additional information about the resource such as cost centre or job title. This field can be grouped and filtered upon. For more sophistication, use an outline code, or an enterprise outline code.
Collapsing	In a project's outline, a mechanism to hide normal tasks beneath their summary tasks, to see just relevant levels of detail. Usually achieved using the button. Can also be used to collapse by group and to collapse assignment detail (on task usage and resource usage views). See also expanding.
Column	As a part of a table, columns show field information for each task / resource / assignment in relevant cells.
Column Heading	The grey area to the top of each column. Clicking on a column heading selects the entire column, highlighting its field for each task or resource. Double-Clicking on the column heading allows a change of field or a different title for the column. Within Project Web Access, a table can be sorted by column contents by simply clicking on a column heading.
Combination View	A view that contains two views. The view in the lower pane shows detailed information about the tasks or resources selected within the upper pane. The 'Task Entry' view (for example) shows a Gantt chart view in the upper pane and the task form view in the lower pane. When a task is selected in the Gantt chart, the task form view displays detailed information about that task shown above. The resource allocation view is another useful combination view.
Committed Booking	A resource that is formally allocated to a project. The assignments for a confirmed resource reduce the resource's availability to work on other projects. See also proposed booking.
Common Resource Pool	A common resource pool contains resources; people or material resources that are to be shared between a programme of multiple projects. They can take two basic forms: Within Microsoft Project Professional, use an enterprise resource pool to share resources across all projects within a Project Server database. Within Microsoft Project 98, 2000 or Microsoft Project 2002 / 2003 Standard create either: A new project file that contains only resource information (no tasks), whereby all projects use this project's pool of common resources (recommended). Use an existing project as the "pool" project, with all projects using this project's resources. With this option, all of the resources in the pool project, as well as the projects that are sharing resources with it, are combined and available to each other.
Complete Through	This field indicates the progress of a task on a Gantt chart. It is the date/time that actuals have been reported up until. It is only available as a bar style.
Component	Components are the building blocks of a project document. In addition to the tasks, resources and assignments, components are used to manage the project's data. They include: Views, tables, filters, groups, calendars, reports, forms, toolbars, maps, and VBA modules. The Organizer can be used to manage components within the project document and between project documents. Within a Project Server environment key components can be shared between projects if they are defined within the enterprise global template.
Composite Project	A programme file that contains one or more inserted subprojects without links to their source projects. When the composite is saved to disk, changes to the inserted projects are not reflected in their source files.
Consolidated Project	A programme file that contains links to one or more subproject files. The inserted projects (indicated by ) retain links to their source projects so that any changes to them within the consolidated file are passed on to the source file when the consolidation is saved to disk.
Constraints	A scheduling protocol that establishes when a task should happen. Constraints (which can be flexible or inflexible) are: ASAP - As soon as possible (no real constraint). ALAP - As late as possible. FNET - Finish no earlier than. SNET - Start no earlier than. FNLT - Finish no later than. SNLT - Start no later than. MFO - Must finish on. MSO - Must start on. Use the 'Tasks with Fixed Dates' global filter to select where constraints exist and the 'Constraint Dates' table to edit constraints. See also: deadlines.
Contingency Plan	A fallback plan should a risk manifest itself. Tasks within a project can be marked as part of a risk contingency plan.
Contingency Reserve	An amount of work, cost or time in addition to remaining work cost and time estimates in order to mitigate an identified risk to a task, phase or project.
Contoured Assignment	An assignment where the hours are scheduled at a non-uniform rate. Microsoft Project's options include: Back loaded Front loaded Double peak Early peak Late peak Bell Turtle User-defined Contoured assignments will usually take more time than a flat assignment (which is the default). Contours are displayed as timephased fields within the task usage and resource usage views.
Copy Picture	An option (invoked by the button) to copy the current view of the project to the clipboard or to be saved as a .GIF file. This simple-to-use option creates simple pictorial references of the project that can be embedded within Word documents or added to web sites.
Cost	The total scheduled cost for a summary task, normal task, resource, or assignment or for an entire project. This is sometimes referred to as the current cost, or budget. Cost can be simply a fixed cost for a task, or it can also include costs incurred as a result of measurable work.
Cost / Use	A field that shows the cost that accrues each time a resource is used, irrespective of the work for the resource carrying out an assignment.
Cost Breakdown Structure	Used as an alternative to the WBS, the CBS is a useful way to use outline codes to group the project's tasks by cost centre. Sophisticated totals and subtotals can be created to determine how effectively the project is progressing, cost area by cost area. Within a Project Server environment, use enterprise outline codes to define CBS consistent across the entire programme.
Cost Objective	One of the three project objectives. A definition of the budget available (as defined within the client requirements and project requirements documents) in cost terms to complete a project and hopefully produce all the deliverables within the project's overall scope. This often becomes the project's baseline cost or BCWS and can be compared to actual costs to determine cost variances. See also time objective; quality objective.
Cost Rate Table	Defined within the resource information dialog box, resources can have a variable standard rate for the work that they will perform. Up to five rate tables can be applied, each of which can be varied over time. Each discrete assignment can have a cost rate table applied to it. This can be achieved within the assignments information box, accessed from the resource usage or task usage views.
Cost Resources	Usually defined within the resource sheet and subsequently assigned to tasks, cost resources provide the ability to have multiple named time-phased fixed costs against tasks. These costs can be then be grouped or filtered to provide subtotals by cost type. Cost resources are not available in versions prior to Microsoft Project 2007.
Cost Variance	The difference between the baseline cost and total cost for a task, resource or assignment. If a task is in progress, its total cost is actual cost plus its remaining costs. See also CV.
Count	Specifies the incrementation of the major scale or the minor scale for the timescale of a chart. For example, if the unit is weeks, a count of 2 will show 1 increment (column) for every other week.
CPI	Within earned value analysis, the Cost Performance Index. Calculated as the ratio of budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP) and actual cost of work performed (ACWP). CPI = BCWP/ACWP. If this value is 1 then the project, summary task or task is exactly on budget. If the value is less than 1, then things are over budget; greater than 1, things are ahead of budget. See also CV.
Crashing	A technique for optimising a project's schedule. This may involve fast-tracking or reducing duration values for critical tasks by changing assigned work or assigned unit values or by making assignment replacements.
Critical Path	The series of tasks that must be completed on time for a project to finish on schedule. Each task on the critical path is a critical task; any delay to it would delay the project's schedule. Often displayed as:
Critical Path Analysis	A method for scheduling when tasks will happen. Comprising of a forward pass and a backward pass, it determines how quickly and how slowly the tasks can be accomplished. Key values calculated include: Scheduled start / scheduled finish. Early start / early finish. Late start / late finish. Total slack / free slack.
Critical Task	A task that must be completed on schedule for the project to finish on time. If a critical task is delayed, the project finish date might also be delayed. A series of critical tasks makes up a project's critical path. Often displayed (in relation to non-critical tasks) as:
Cross-Project Links	Links between tasks in different projects. Usually created within a consolidated project, cross-project links make a task within one project dependant upon an external task in another project.
Crosstab Reports	Printed information about tasks and resources over a specified time period. For example, a report comprising of tasks (or resources) and assignments within the rows and periodic cost or work values in the columns. Provides similar information to a crosstab view, but with more formatting options but no data editing options.
Crosstab Views	Screen-based information about tasks and resources over a specified time period. Can be seen from a task's (task usage view) or from a resource's (resource usage view) perspective. Displays timephased work and cost values and provides editing facilities. Similar to a crosstab report.
CTRL+Click	Holding down the CTRL (Control) key on the keyboard and clicking the left mouse button. This can be used to select more than one object when the objects are not adjacent to one another. Useful when linking tasks together with or removing links with . Can also be used in conjunction with to make changes to multiple tasks / resources / assignments. See also SHIFT+Click.
CTRL+DELETE	Removes the selected information within the current cell. Does not delete the entire object (task / resource) as the DELETE key can.
Current Date	The current date is the boundary between the past and the future. Using the PC's system date by default, it can be edited within the Project Information dialog box. Tasks between the project start date and the current date should be complete, those happening after the current date should possess remaining work. The current date display on a Gantt chart can be altered using the Gridlines dialog box (Format..Gridlines). The current date is sometimes referred to as the as-of date. See also: status date.
Current Tasks	Selected tasks (as displayed in a personal Gantt chart) that occur within a predefined number of days after the current date.
Custom Field	A field (for Tasks or Resources) that is user-definable. Entries can be made against: cost; date; duration; finish; flag; number; outline code; start; text. Custom fields can be simply renamed or can contain value lists. A calculated field can contain a formulaic expression and also display graphical indicators. Custom fields can be defined within the Customized Fields dialog box (Tools..Customize..Fields). Custom fields are project-specific and can be copied from project to project using the Organizer. See also enterprise fields.
CV	Within earned value analysis, the CV (earned value cost variance) field is calculated as BCWP - ACWP. It is the difference between how much it should have cost to achieve the current level of completion on the task and how much it has actually cost to up to the status date or the current date. A positive CV value indicates that progress against the task, summary task, project or resource is ahead of the baseline cost (under budget) and a negative value indicates that progress is currently over budget. See also CPI and cost variance.

Dangle	A task that either has no predecessor task: or no successor task: linked to it. Also known as a hanger.
Deadline	A date by which a task should ideally be complete by. This can affect the slack value for the task, but it does not impose any constraint upon the task. If a task exceeds its deadline it can create a scheduling conflict. Use the 'Tasks with Deadlines' global filter to select where deadlines have been applied.
Decomposition	A top-down planning technique that subdivides a project's scope and its deliverables into smaller, more manageable components, arriving at the summary tasks and subtasks that make up a project's outline.
Default Rate	New resources can inherit a rate; standard rate for standard work and overtime rate for overtime work. This setting, within the General tab of the Options dialog box, will only apply to newly created resources in the resource pool.
Default End Time	Specifies the finish time that Microsoft Project assigns by default to tasks with a constrained finish. Usually equivalent to the end of the shift pattern for the base calendar. Defined within the Calendar tab of the Options dialog box. It is important to have consistency between the default end time and the base calendar's shift pattern when in a Project Server environment.
Default Start Time	Specifies the start time that Microsoft Project assigns by default to tasks with a constrained start. Usually equivalent to the start of the shift pattern for the base calendar. Defined within the Calendar tab of the Options dialog box. It is important to have consistency between the default start me and the base calendar's shift pattern when in a Project Server environment.
Delegation	When using Project Web Access with Project Server, team members can delegate their assignments to other team members. The delegation process is controlled by a delegation wizard.
Delegation Wizard	A step-by-step process to delegate assigned work. The first step is to list the team member that will be the delegatee. The next step is to determine who (the delagator or delegatee) will assume the lead role for the delegated work. The delegation is then sent to the project manager for approval. Once approved, the delegated work will appear on the delegatee's personal timesheet.
Deliverables	The major things that the project (or even the tasks within it) creates to meet the overall Time / Cost / Quality objectives. These are usually listed within the client requirements definition (CRD) and project requirements definition (PRD). Deliverables may also make up the upper levels of a project's product breakdown structure (PBS).
Demand Assignment	An assignment for a resource that could not be substituted by the Resource Substitution Wizard. Even if this resource has a resource conflict, the wizard can not create the substitution. See also request assignment.
Dependency Types	Microsoft Project supports four types of dependencies to link one task to another: Finish-to-start dependency, in which one task can not start until another task finishes. Finish-to-finish dependency, in which one task can not finish until another task finishes. Start-to-start dependency, in which one task can not start until another task starts. Start-to-finish dependency, in which one task can not finish until another task starts.
Dependant Project	A project (or commonly a task or milestone within a project) that has its schedule driven by a task or milestone within another project. These projects often form a consolidation, with external tasks used to provide the links.
Desktop OLAP Cube	Allows the creation of custom reports with data exported from Microsoft Project into a Microsoft Access database and Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) cubes. Six cubes are generated for tasks, resources and assignments, with each option providing timephased and non time-phased data. Provides visual reports in conjunction with visual report templates. Only available in Microsoft Project version 2007 and later.
Destination Program	The program into which data is placed when exchanging data from Microsoft Project. See also source program.
Details	Different sets of options to display sets of information within views. Primarily used in the task form; task usage; resource usage; resource graph views.
Digital Dashboard	Comprised of web parts, a digital dashboard provides high level status information across an entire programme. Different digital dashboards can be created for specific user groups to display information relevant to that group.
Dimmed	Options within Microsoft Project that are unavailable. This often occurs if the object is read-only or because the option is not available for the current view.
Direct Link	Within the Resource Substitution Wizard, projects that are directly linked share common resources within the enterprise resource pool. Rescheduling resources in one project may have an affect upon other projects that share direct links. For example, If Project A has Resources X and Y assigned to it, and Project B has Y and Z assigned to it, then B has a direct link to A because it shares the common resource - Y. See also indirect links.
Divider Bar	Within Microsoft Project Standard and Microsoft Project Professional, the vertical divider bar separates the table and chart portions of the view. The horizontal divider bar delineates a combination view containing an upper pane and a lower pane. Within Project Web Access, the vertical divider bar separates the table and chart parts of a view. Also referred to as a splitter bar.
Divider Cursor	The cursor that changes the width of a column ( ) or the width of a part of the view ( ), or the depth of a upper pane or lower pane of a combination view ( ). Double-Clicking on the cursor will force a best-fit of a chart to a table or to open or close a lower pane.
Document Libraries	A folder in which documents are are usually linked to other documents, tasks, resources, risks or issues. Documents within a library often share common templates. The content listing for a library contains user-defined information for each document contained within the library.
Drawing	A graphical image which can be embedded as an object in Gantt charts, task notes, report headers and so on.
Driver Project	A project (or commonly a task or milestone within a project) that determines the schedule of a task or milestone within another project. These projects often form a consolidation, with external tasks used to provide the links.
Drop Down	An icon indicating the existence of a list. Usually shown as the following: / / .
Dummy Task	Within an activity-on-arrow network, a logical relationship between two nodes that does not represent a task. Within an activity-on-node network, dummy tasks are often used to represent a period of time required to wait for something to happen that requires no work to be accomplished (for example "waiting for paint to dry"). This type of dummy task relationship can also be accomplished by using a lag value on a link between two tasks.
Duration	The total span of working time or elapsed time required to complete a task. When applied to summary tasks, it represents the amount of time between the start of the earliest subtask and the completion on the latest subtask. Duration can also be displayed at project level against a project summary task. Durations against tasks can be estimated or confirmed. If the task has assignments against it, the task's duration may be calculated according to the scheduling formula. See also time.
Duration Suffix	A suffix after the duration value to determine the time unit the duration applies to: min = minute. emin = elapsed minutes. hr = hour. ehr = elapsed hours. day = day. edays = elapsed days. wk = week. ewk = elapsed weeks. mo = months. emo = elapsed months. Note that the number of hours per day, hours per week and days per month values are set within the Calendar tab of the Options dialog box (Tools..Options).

EAC	Within earned value analysis, the estimate at completion shows the total scheduled or projected cost for a task, resource, or assignment. This is calculated as: EAC = ACWP + (BAC-BCWP)/CPI
Earned Value	A measure of the cost of work performed up to the status date or the current date. It uses baseline cost values and actual work to date to show if the actual costs incurred are on budget. It indicates how much of the baseline cost should have been spent, relative to the amount of work done so far. Earned Value is also referred to as budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP).
Earned Value Analysis	A method for determining project performance. It compares the value of the work that was planned (BCWS) with the how much work was actually earned (BCWP), with what was actually spent (ACWP). These comparisons provide invaluable information about actual conditions within the project and trends that may be developing in terms of schedule and cost performance. Earned Value Analysis is commonly abbreviated as EVA.
Early Finish	The earliest date that a task could possibly finish, based upon dates from its predecessors or successors, other constraints, any leveling delay and the duration of the task itself.
Early Start	The earliest date that a task could possibly start, based upon dates from its predecessors or successors, other constraints and any leveling delay.
Effort-Driven	Where the work on a task is shared between its assignments. When resources are assigned or removed from a task, Microsoft Project will extend or shorten the duration of the task to accommodate the additional or fewer resources applied, but it will not change the total work for the task. This is the default option for new tasks.
Elapsed Time	Time that does not take any calendar considerations into account; 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Enterprise Field	A field defined within the enterprise global template. The most commonly used enterprise fields will contain enterprise outline codes or RBS values. Enterprise fields can only be created by a user with appropriate access permissions. All projects that link to the enterprise global template can use these standardized fields and apply them to tasks / resources or even projects. Enterprise field definitions can not be changed in a local project file. Enterprise fields can be set as required fields. See also custom fields.
Enterprise Global Template	Standard programme and portfolio-wide components (including views, tables and enterprise fields) can be stored within the enterprise global template to ensure that all projects within an organization adhere to standards. Unlike GLOBAL.MPT the enterprise global template is opened from within Project Server. Only a user with administrative permissions can check out and change the enterprise global template. The enterprise global template should not contain any tasks or resources.
Enterprise Outline Code	Custom tags for common tasks, projects, or resources. Tasks can use these codes to define cost areas. Resources can use these codes for skill definition and to create assignments automatically using the build team from enterprise and resource substitution wizard tools. Only a user with administrative permissions can add or edit enterprise outline codes as these codes are defined within the enterprise global template. Enterprise outline codes include multi-value fields and also the Resource Breakdown Structure field. Enterprise outline codes can be set as required fields. The portfolio analyzer uses enterprise outline codes to sort and subtotal work and cost values.
Enterprise Resource Pool	A global pool of resources that are available to work upon all projects within a programme. When local resources are imported into the enterprise pool by using the resource import wizard they then become enterprise resources. Enterprise resources belong to the team members user group by default.
Enterprise Resources	Enterprise resources are resources that can be made available to a programme of projects. They are stored within the enterprise resource pool and must be checked out of the enterprise pool (by a user with appropriate permissions) for editing of standard rates, skill codes and so on. Resource availability graphs depict the remaining availability and assigned work for every resource within the enterprise resource within the enterprise resource pool.
Enterprise Templates	To promote standardisation, new projects within a Project Server environment should be created from enterprise templates. These templates exist within the Project Server database and would be created by a programme office or a user with suitable administrative permissions. Standard lists of summary tasks, subtasks and milestones together with placeholder assignments would usually be found within an enterprise template. See also project templates.
Enlargement Factor	A percentage value representing the width of a minor scale increment for a chart. See also size.
Entry Bar	Placed below the toolbars or within dialog boxes, the entry bar displays the current cell's contents. The ENTER and ESCAPE keys ( and buttons) confirm or reject an entry and the F2 key provides in-cell editing.
Entry Table (Resources)	Displays basic information about resources, including resource group, resource units, standard rate, overtime rate, cost per resource use, accrual method, and resource code. This table is mainly used in adding resources to the project's resource pool. It is the default table within the resource sheet view. When enterprise resources are checked out from the enterprise resource pool, they are displayed within the resource sheet view and its entry table. Additional fields, including enterprise outline codes can be added to the table for further definition of enterprise resources.
Entry Table (Tasks)	Displays basic information in fields regarding tasks: ID; indicators; task name; duration; start; finish; resource names; predecessors. Mainly used to add and edit general task information. Provided by default in the Gantt chart and tracking Gantt views.
Estimated Duration	A duration for a task suffixed with a '?' to indicate that the duration is still tentative. Tasks with estimated durations can be filtered against and reported upon.
Exception Report	A document that lists only major variations a project plan, rather than all variations. For quantitative variances, this report could be created using a combination of standard filters, fields and groups. For qualitative information, simple exception reports can be made using status reports within Project Web Access.
Executive	Within a Project Server environment, project sponsors would usually possess an executive role. Executives would not normally create projects or be required to complete personal timesheets. Executives would normally use the project center and resource center, along with the portfolio analyzer and portfolio modeler. An executive's access rights would be determined by appropriate permissions and categories.
Expanding	In a project's outline, a mechanism to show normal tasks beneath their summary tasks, to see more levels of detail. Usually achieved using the button. Can also be used to expand by group and to show assignment detail (on task usage and resource usage views). See also collapsing.
External Task	A task in another project (or part of the programme) that is linked to a task in the current project. Also described as a ghost task. This can help determine the schedule of the current project (relative to linked projects): A link between a task and an external task can be edited, but an external task itself can only be edited within its own project.

Fast Tracking	A method for compressing a project's schedule by changing the precedence within a network. Fast tracking will invariably overlap tasks or summary tasks that would normally (often ideally) be accomplished sequentially (for example commencing testing before manufacture is complete). Although the time objective can be optimised by this technique, the cost and quality objectives may be detrimentally affected. Furthermore, if tasks (and hence work) overlap, resource conflicts can arise. See also crashing.
Field	Information about a project's tasks, resources or assignments. Fields (which may be contain entered values or be customized) include: Name. Start / Finish. Work. Cost. Within a Project Server environment, enterprise fields and enterprise outline codes can be used to define codes and other definitions that are used by every project within the entire database. These fields should only be created by a user with appropriate permissions.
File Format	Files in Microsoft Project can be saved to disk in a number of formats: .MPP (the default); .MPX (a comma delimited file - Microsoft Project 98 only); .XLS (Excel spreadsheet); .MDB (Access database). Some files (usually databases) can contain all project data. Others are normally used to export/import data using maps. A portfolio of projects can also be saved to Project Server.
File Properties	Details about a file that help identify it (such as a descriptive title, the author’s name, the subject, and keywords that identify topics or other important information in the file). Properties can also be added to views and reports within the page setup dialog box.
Fill Handle	Allowing adjacent cells to be populated with the initial cell's data. Available in task usage and resource usage views and also for cells within tables.
Filter	Provides a way of selecting information meeting a filter criteria. Types of filter are: Global Filters. Highlight filters. AutoFilter.
Filter Criteria	The statement that specifies which tasks or resources should be displayed when the filter is applied. For example, the 'Top Level Tasks' filter has the criteria: outline level >= 1.
Filter Library	A list of all available filters, applicable to tasks or resources. Accessed by using the Project..Filtered for..More Filters command. Originally held in GLOBAL.MPT, or within the enterprise global template (Microsoft Project Professional only), filters are stored to the local project document once they have been accessed. Existing filters can be edited or new ones can be created within the library. In addition, saved AutoFilter criteria are saved within the filter library as new global filters.
Finish (Task)	The scheduled finish for a task.
Finish Variance	How much a task has been delayed within a project's schedule. Calculated as the difference between baseline finish and the current scheduled finish. Often referred to as slippage.
Fiscal Year	With a Fiscal Year commencing other than January, Microsoft Project displays years on the timescale using the fiscal year rather than the calendar year. For example, with April as the beginning of a fiscal year, Microsoft Project displays the year "2003" for the date March 2nd, 2004.
Fixed-Price Contract	A contract where the buyer (often the sponsor) pays the seller a fixed price for delivering a specific product or set of products. A project's scope and its deliverables should be well defined in this contract environment.
Fixed Consumption Rate	Upon completion of an assignment, a fixed quantity of a material resource that will have been consumed. See also variable consumption rate.
Fixed Cost	A set cost against a task that remains constant regardless of the task duration or the work performed by a resource; for example a delivery of some goods, or some work that has been subcontracted to a third party organization. The task's total cost is the fixed cost plus the value of any assigned work against the task. Available in Microsoft Project versions 2007 and above, cost-type resources provide a additional functionality above that offered by basic fixed costs.
Fixed Cost Accrual	The accrual method to schedule how fixed costs will be incurred.
Fixed Duration	For a constant task duration, as assigned work is increased so will assigned units. Decrease the units and the work will correspondingly reduce. Duration = Work ÷ Units If assigned units are greater than max units, a resource conflict will arise.
Fixed Units	As the task's assigned units remain constant, an increase / decrease in assigned work will result in a corresponding increase / decrease in task duration. Changes to the task's duration will have a corresponding effect upon work. Units = Work ÷ Duration Fixed Units is the default task type for new tasks.
Fixed Work	If assigned work should remain constant, then as a task's duration goes up assigned units will go down (and vice versa). Work = Duration × Units If assigned units are greater than max units, a resource conflict will arise.
Flat Assignment	An assignment where the hours are at a uniform level, unlike a contoured assignment where the hours assigned per day/week vary.
Flexible Constraint	As opposed to inflexible constraints, flexible ones (with the Indicator ) schedule tasks as follows: Finish no earlier than (for projects scheduled from the project's start date). Finish no later than (for projects scheduled from the project's finish date). Start no earlier than (for projects scheduled from the project's start date). Start no later than (for projects scheduled from the project's finish date). These constraints will not cause schedule conflicts if a task is delayed beyond its constrained date.
Float	The amount of time a task can slip before it affects another task's dates or the project finish date. Also referred to as slack.
FNET	Finishes the task on or after the date entered. Use this flexible constraint when a task can not finish before a specific date.
FNLT	Finishes the task on or before the date entered. Use this inflexible constraint when a task must finish by a specific date. Can create a scheduling conflict if this date is violated.
Folder	Project documents (files) are stored in folders on a local PC or on a network. Folders branch off from the root directory (usually C:\). The 'My Documents' folder is the default working folder in Windows 98/2000/XP.
Font	A typeface depicting letters, numbers and symbols. Font sizes and attributes can be set from the formatting toolbar, or by applying text styles or in report headers or footers by using the page setup command.
Forward Pass	A calculation within critical path analysis that determines the early start and early finish dates for each task in the project, along with the project finish date.
Footer	Text that appears at the bottom of a printed page. A footer typically contains information such as page number, total page count (for collation purposes) and date. It could also contain the project manager's name and the project's revision number.
Form	Representing information in a format similar to a paper form. Forms show information about only one task or resource at a time. Common forms are the task form and resource form. The Organizer allows this component to be shared between projects.
Formatting Toolbar	Provides tools for changing how a view is displayed: fonts; text alignment; filters; outline options and so on.
Free Slack	Free slack (or free float) is the amount of time a task can slip before it delays any other task. See also total slack.
Function Point Analysis	A parametric estimating technique primarily used in the IT sector to determine the work content of a task. Detailed parameters (including number of lines of software code and input / output complexities) are used to determine an accurate estimate. Document libraries can be used to store and disseminate this data.

Gantt Chart	A graphical representation of the project's current schedule. It will often contain bars for: Normal tasks. Summary tasks. Milestone tasks. Slack values. Delay values. Gantt charts are also referred to as Bar Charts as they depict task bars against a timescale. See also personal Gantt charts.
Gantt Chart Wizard	A series of interactive dialog boxes containing options to quickly format a Gantt chart, it configures bar styles and layout options. Running it reconfigures any manually applied bar styles, so be careful in its use. Invoked by the Format..Gantt Chart Wizard command (or ).
Generic Resource	A placeholder resource that is a skill category that could be required to complete a task, rather than a named person. Assignments for these resources can then be replaced by real people. The build team from enterprise and the resource substitution wizard can be used to substitute a generic resource with a named person. Generic resources can only be created within Microsoft Project Professional.
Ghost Task	The description for a task that belongs to another project (or part of the programme) that is linked to a task in the current project. Also described as an external task.
GIF	A file saved in a Graphical Interchange Format. This format creates small memory-efficient files containing up to 256 colors. These files can be read by Internet Explorer and other graphics display programs (for example Windows Picture and Fax Viewer). Microsoft Project can create .GIF files using the Copy Picture command.
GLOBAL.MPT	A Template file (GLOBAL.MPT) that contains information applied to many projects. Information in a global file can include components such as views, calendars, forms, reports, tables, filters, toolbars, menu bars and macros. When a new project is created, it takes its components from the global file which is stored on the local PC. Within a Project Server environment, a project can also access common components within the enterprise global template. Information within the global file can be read or written using the Organizer. Warning: Overwriting a global file may require a re-installation of Microsoft Project to reapply default settings.
Global Filter	Compared to the AutoFilter (which makes selections based on column contents), the global filter shows only the tasks / resources / assignments that meet a specific filter criteria. If a filter criteria is used to emphasise, rather than select, a highlight filter can be applied instead. Global filters are one of the project's components. They reside within a filter library. Within a Project Server environment, global filters exist within the enterprise global template. As such, these filters are available to all projects within the project server database.
Graphical Indicators	By using pictures to replace values, Microsoft Project can highlight good or poor schedule / cost performances. Usually used in conjunction with calculated fields. Views can be filtered or grouped by graphical indicator.
Granularity	The degree of resolution to be applied by time unit (daily or weekly for example). Useful when leveling resources.
Gridlines	To help the readability of a view, gridlines of different patterns and colors can be applied. These gridlines may appear once (such as the current date) or repeatedly (such as the lines that divide rows and columns).
Group	The ability to sort and subtotal a view by applying group criteria. Pre-defined groups include: 'milestones' and 'constraint types' for tasks and 'resource group' and 'Response Pending' for resources. Custom groups can be created and applied by using the Project..Group By... command and they can be shared between projects by using the Organizer.
Group Criteria	Similar to filter criteria, group criteria determine the fields (for tasks or resources) that the grouping sorts upon. There can be groups within groups. Sophisticated grouping can be achieved with the use of outline codes.
Group Library	A list of all available groups, applicable to tasks or resources. Accessed using the Project..Group by:..More Groups command. Originally held in GLOBAL.MPT, or from within the enterprise global template, group criteria are stored to the local project document once they have been accessed. Existing group criteria can be edited or new ones can be created within the library.
Group Status Report	A single status report consolidated from the status reports of several team members.

Hammock Task	Hammock tasks can be used to determine the duration between that start of one task and the finish of another. Unlike summary tasks, hammocks are nor a normal part of a project's outline structure. As such hammocks can be used to determine the duration of a path of tasks across (or within) several summary tasks. Assignments can be made (with care) against hammock tasks to represent project overheads.
Hanger	A task that either has no predecessor task or no successor task linked to it. Also known as a dangle.
Header	Text that appears at the top of a printed page. A header typically contains information such as the project or company name, together with the project start and project finish dates.
Hide Task	Within Project Web Access, tasks (assignments) in a personal Gantt chart or a timesheet view can be hidden from view without removing them from the project plan. After a task has been hidden, it cannot be displayed again unless the project manager republishes or updates it. When tasks are republished or updated, they appear again automatically.
Highlight Filter	Instead of selecting the tasks / resources that meet the filter criteria (as with a global filter), a highlight filter is used for emphasis.
Highlights	A highlight will emphasize specific tasks or resources whilst still displaying all tasks or resources. To set the text style for highlighted information, use the Format..Text Styles command.
Home Page	The default page within Project Web Access that an authenticated user will be directed to. This home page contains reminders (for example new assigned tasks displayed within a personal Gantt chart). It can also contain links to other important URL's as well as additional web content.
Hours Per Day	The constant value that Microsoft Project uses when calculating duration and work. Taking the default of 8 hours, a one-day task will be calculated as 8 hours and an assignment of 1 unit will calculate as 8 hours also. Changing the hours per day to 6 would retain the assigned work as 8 hours and change the duration of the assignment to be 1.33 days. If the shift pattern for that day is unaltered (from the default 8 hours), the assignment (and task) will be complete at the end of that day and not within the next day. It is important to have consistency between hours per day and base calendar values when in a Project Server environment.
Hours Per Week	The constant value that Microsoft Project uses when calculating duration and work. Taking the default of 40 hours, a one-week task will be calculated as 40 hours and an assignment of 1 unit will calculate as 40 hours also. Changing the hours per week to 32 would retain the assigned work as 40 hours and therefore change the duration of the assignment to be 1.25 weeks. If the shift pattern for that week is unaltered (from the default 8 hours/day), the assignment (and task) will be complete at the end of that week and not within the next week. It is important to have consistency between hours per week and base calendar values when in a Project Server environment.
HTML	Hypertext Markup Language. Web pages are written in HTML. They often end with an .htm or .html extension. Microsoft Project's help files are HTML compliant, allowing the creation of user-defined help. Custom Project Guides can also be written using a combination of HTML and XML.
HTML Template	A template of HTML tags and codes that are exported along with project data.
HTTP	An acronym for HyperText Transfer Protocol. HTTP is the default naming protocol within a URL. For example, the HTTP address of a Project Server database could be: http://server_abc/projectserver This URL would be used to access the Project Server from within Microsoft Project Professional or entered within the address bar of Project Web Access to get to a user's home page.
Hyperlink	From your project file, hyperlinks can be created to jump to other files (using a URL) on a local computer, network or intranet, or to the World Wide Web itself. This destination file can be another Microsoft Project file, other Microsoft Office documents, or any web site.

ID	Displays the identifier number that Microsoft Project automatically assigns to each task or resource as it is added to the project. Entries in lower rows within a table will have higher ID values. The ID is usually displayed in a row heading (the grey area to the left of each row). This ID may change as a result of a cell drag and drop. See also unique ID.
Indenting	Moving a task to a lower outline level (to the right) in the task name column. When a task is indented (usually with ), it becomes a subtask of the summary task above it. See also outdenting.
Indicators	Small icons representing information for a task or resource that are displayed in the indicators column within a table. Pointing to an indicator reveals additional information associated with it. Indicators include: A task note. The task has an actual finish. A resource conflict requiring leveling. A flexible constraint. An inflexible constraint. An inserted project.
Indirect Link	Within the Resource Substitution Wizard, projects that are indirectly linked do not share common resources with each other, but they do share common resources with another indirectly linked project. Rescheduling resources in one project may have an affect upon other projects that share indirect links. For example, If Project A has Resources X and Y assigned to it, and Project B has Y and Z assigned to it, then B has a direct link to A because it shares resources. But if Project C has resource Z assigned to it then it has an indirect link to Project A. See also direct links.
Inflexible Constraint	As opposed to flexible constraints, inflexible ones (with the Indicator ) schedule tasks as follows: Finish no later than (for projects scheduled from the project's start date). Must finish on (for all projects). Must start on (for all projects). If a task is delayed beyond its constrained date, an inflexible constraint can cause a scheduling conflict.
Information Dialog Boxes	Invoked by the button, dialog boxes that allow immediate changes to tasks, resources and assignments. Can be used to change default settings or to update with revised estimates, schedule revisions, achieved progress and so on.
Information Rights Management	A document owner's ability to restrict rights to access a particular project document or parts of a document.
Initial Assignment	The first assignment of a resource (or resources) to a task. This assignment determines the total work for the task. If any assigned units are subsequently altered, the task's duration may have to change to balance the scheduling formula. Changes to an assignment should be performed within a task form view, as it displays all data relevant to that assignment.
Inserted Project	A project file embedded within a consolidated project. Changes made within the consolidation will be saved within the inserted project's file.
Interim Baseline	In addition to a master baseline, a further 10 baselines can be set. These can used in what-if? scenarios and as useful schedule comparisons. As an addition, current start and finish dates for all tasks or just those selected can be copied to interim values (Start1/Finish1). Both of these options can be accessed within the Save Baseline dialog box (Tools..Tracking..Save Baseline). Interim baseline information can be displayed on charts using a variety of bar styles. Interim baselines can not be protected.
Issue	An uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or (more often) negative effect upon the project's objectives. Within Project Web Access, issues can be monitored, managed and mitigated using forms controlled by SharePoint.
Issue Category	User-definable options to categorize various types of issue. The default settings are: Category1, Category2, Category3.
Issue Due Date	A date that an issue is due for a resolution by.
Issue Owner	Possibly the most important of all the issue definitions - the person (from within the enterprise resource pool) that has overall responsibility for the management and possible overcoming of an identified issue.
Issue Priority	User-definable options to prioritize various types of issue. The default settings are: High, Medium, Low.
Issue Resolution	A narrative to describe how an issue is to be, or has been, resolved.
Issue Status	There are three issue status classifications by default: Active, Postponed, and Closed. If other status values are required, they can also be added.

K/L

Lag	A delay on the link between a predecessor and a successor; for example to create a 5 day delay between finishing one task and starting another. Lag times can also be a percentage of the duration of the predecessor task. A negative value against a lag is known as a lead.
Labels	Standard formatting option to express a chart's timescale. For example: 'Feb/02/04' or '02/02/04'.
Landscape	A horizontal page orientation, with more columns than rows ( ), this style is best suited to charts and crosstab reports.
Layout	A formatting option that defines the general appearance of a chart, the positioning of task bars or boxes and the displaying of links to improve screen-based or printed views.
Late Finish	A task's late finish is the latest date that a task can finish without delaying the project finish date. This date is based on the task’s late start date and duration, as well as the late start and late finish dates of predecessor and successor tasks, together with any other applied constraints.
Late Start	A task's late start is the latest date that a task can start without delaying the project finish date. This date is based on the task’s scheduled start date, as well as the late start and late finish dates of predecessor and successor tasks, together with any other applied constraints.
Lead	An overlap between a predecessor and a successor. For example, if a task can start when its predecessor is half finished, use a finish-to-start dependency with a lead time of 50 percent. Lead time is entered as a negative lag value.
Lead Role	Within the delegation wizard, the delegator can choose if he/she has the lead role and updates the project manager with recorded actual values against an assignment. When a lead role has been delegated, the delagatee records the actual work on his/her own personal timesheet and updates the project manager directly with recorded progress. When the lead role has been delegated, the delegator can still choose if the actual work recorded by the delegatee can be viewed on his/her timesheet.
Left-Aligned	Text aligned to the left-hand side of a column or cell.
Legend	General project information displayed at the base of a printed page, together with the explanatory list of symbols printed on a chart. Note that this display is shown or hidden within the Page Setup dialog box, but its contents are controlled by the currently chosen bar styles.
Level Assignments	A task-based field that permits resources assigned to the task to be delayed by leveling independently of one another. By default, this field is set to Yes for fixed units and fixed work type tasks and No for fixed duration types. To review the setting of this field against specific tasks, simply insert this field within a suitable table.
Level Now	A command within the Resource Leveling dialog box to commence the leveling process. Also copies a task's scheduled start and scheduled finish values into relative preleveled values.
Leveling	Resolving resource conflicts or overallocations by delaying or splitting certain tasks. During leveling, assignments are rescheduled according to the resource availability profiles, assigned units, and resource calendars, as well as the task’s duration and constraints. Leveling can be controlled by various leveling parameters. It is instigated either automatically or (more commonly) by the command level now.
Leveling Can Split	A task-based field that permits allows a resource assignment against a task to be split into more than one continuous piece of work by the leveling process. By default, this field is set to Yes all three task types. To review the setting of this field against specific tasks, simply insert this field within a suitable table.
Leveling Delay	Leveling Delay is how much a task (or assignment) has been delayed to resolve any resource conflicts. It is often drawn on a Gantt chart from a task's early start to its scheduled start. Leveling delays can be entered manually of created as a result of resource leveling. Clearing leveling will clear any previously applied leveling delays.
Leveling Gantt View	A variation of the Gantt chart view, showing what has happened as a result of the leveling process. The Table portion displays a list of tasks and information about leveling delays. The chart portion shows a comparison of the bar's current schedule with its preleveled state, together with an indication of the leveling delay that has been applied:
Leveling Order	Parameters that establish how tasks are leveled around other tasks. Three options are available: ID Only - Priority will be given to tasks with the lowest ID numbers (usually those earliest in the schedule). Standard (the default) - Microsoft Project considers slack values (both free and total - a task with more free slack time is delayed first, followed by ones with total slack), dates (later starting tasks will be delayed before earlier-starting ones) and constraints (as they affect the schedule and the critical path). Priority, Standard - Microsoft Project will apply user-defined priorities as the primary factor in deciding which tasks are to be delayed. Tasks with equal priorities will then be delayed according to the 'Standard' parameter above.
Leveling Parameters	Switches that determine how leveling is performed. They include: When to level (automatically or manually using level now). Leveling granularity. Dates to level within (entire project, or just the next couple of weeks/months). Leveling order. Level within/beyond slack (allow the critical path to be or not be delayed)? If leveling can delay assignments? If leveling can split tasks? See also selective leveling.
Lifecycle	The period of time between the project moving from a simple collection of ideas in a client requirements definition to a finished entity that meets all its originally agreed requirements. Often defined within a methodology, it can be summarized into four basic headings: Startup. Plan. Do. Review. As the majority of measurable work is contained within the 'Do' stage, this is where the majority of the project's costs will come from and where the majority of the project's risks will be found.
Link	Links between tasks represent the sequence in which they will occur. For example; the successor task 'Boil Water' will first depend upon the completion of the predecessor task 'Fill Kettle'. Links can have a number of dependency types. Create links by selecting two tasks (with click and CTRL+Click), followed by .
Linked Documents	A document (for example Word file, Excel spreadsheet) that is a part of the overall project management process and stored within a document library. Specific documents can be linked to assigned tasks by team members working within personal Gantt charts, as well as linked to overall projects, defined risks and defined issues.
Linked Issues	Issues within a project that can be associated with related issues or risks.
Linked Risks	Risks within a project that can be associated with related risks or issues.
Local Defaults	As compared to default settings that apply to Microsoft Project in general (which are saved within the PC's registry), local defaults apply to the current project only and override any inherited settings. These settings usually apply to the view, schedule and calculation parameters of the project. In a Project Server environment, creating new projects from enterprise templates will ensure that a project inherits its settings from the Project Server database and not from the local PC.
Local Resource	Local resources (identified by ) are resources local to a specific project and not part of an enterprise resource pool.
Lookup Table	An option when creating custom fields to define a list of possible field values. These values can be a restricted list, allowing ONLY list items to be applied to a task or resource. An example would be a list of cost areas, departments or responsibilities. Known as a Value List in Microsoft Project versions prior to 2007.
Lower Pane	As part of a combination view, the object (task / resource) in the upper pane selects the detailed information that is displayed in the lower pane beneath. For example, with a Gantt chart view in the upper pane and the task form view in the lower, when a task in the Gantt chart is selected, the task form view displays detailed information about just the selected task.

Major Scale

Specifies the units and count for the upper lines (tiers) of the timescale of a chart. Its units must be larger than or equal to the minor scale units.

Managed Period

Periods of time (for example February 1 through 7, February 8 through 14) that actual work is booked to within a user's timesheet. Specific managed periods have two statuses: Open - entries can be made against dates within an open period; Closed - where actual values are protected. Actual entries against managed periods can only be made from timesheets within Project Web Access.

Manual Scheduling

When Microsoft Project calculates the schedule of the project at a user's request (rather than automatic scheduling - the default). This can apply to all open projects or just the currently active project. Manual scheduling can be activated by pressing the F9 key or with a shortcut menu accessed using the select all button.

Map

A customizable set of instructions to export task, resource, and assignment data to other applications such as Access or Excel. Maps can be based on existing tables and can have filters applied to them. Maps can also be used to import data back into a project file (with care). The Organizer allows this component to be shared between projects.

MAPI

The acronym for Messaging Application Programming Interface, which is the standard Microsoft email programming interface.

Margins

The distance (in centimetres or inches) between the top, bottom, right and left of the page to the area that will be printed upon.

Mask

Applied to outline codes and WBS codes, the mask defines the numeric and alphanumeric strings that make up the code, together with the delimiters that separate them.

Master Project

A project containing one or more subprojects. The subprojects can be inserted into a master composite project or they can be embedded within a master consolidated project. These subprojects often share resources by accessing a common resource pool.

Material Resources

Consumables that are assigned to tasks in a similar way to normal work-type resources. Material resources are consumed by the tasks to which they are assigned (and hence incurring cost), but they do not create any measurable work.

Matrix Organisation

An organisational structure in which the project manager shares responsibility with functional or resource managers for assessing priorities and assigning tasks to resources that may or may not be within their own workgroup or part of the Resource Breakdown Structure.

Max Units

Contains the maximum percentage or number of units of resource availability, the default value being 100 percent. It can be varied with an availability profile. Resource conflicts can arise if assigned units > max units (which can happen with task types that are not fixed units).

Menu Bar

The menu bar is used to select menus and commands to perform actions within Microsoft Project. It appears below the program's title bar and it can be customized.

Standard:
Professional:

Methodology

A statement of how the project will be managed, including its lifecycle, terms of reference, reports required and so on. Methodologies can be informal or company specific. PRINCE is an example of a commercially available project management methodology.

MFO

Finishes the task on a specific date. Use this inflexible constraint when a task has to finish on a given date. Can create a scheduling conflict if this date is violated.

Microsoft Data Engine

A Microsoft database technology that allows small workgroups of Microsoft Project users to collaborate information without the complexity (and power) of SQL Server. Please note that the Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) database is not scalable and is suited to demonstrating simple collaboration for up to several users. MSDE does not support OLAP and as such a lot of the functionality within Microsoft Project Professional will be unavailable if an MSDE database is utilized.

Microsoft Project Professional

A variant of Microsoft Project 2002 / 2003 designed to be used in conjunction with Project Server. Microsoft Project Professional provides a scalable solution for managing many complex projects and enterprise-wide resources within a programme environment.

Microsoft Project Standard

A variant of Microsoft Project 2003 that can not communicate to Project Server. Whilst Project Standard 2002 can link to a Project Server, both the 2002 and 2003 versions of Microsoft Project Standard are designed for standalone desktop use or use within small workgroups. DO NOT share Project Server data with both Standard and Professional variants as data corruptions are possible.

Milestone Tasks

A reference point marking a major event in a project and used to monitor the project's progress. Milestones are usually tasks with a duration of 0 time units (hours, days or even weeks) and may often have a constraint applied to them or they may be an external task within a consolidated programme.

Depicted as:

Minor Scale

Specifies the units and count for the lowest line (tier) of the timescale of a chart. Its units must be smaller than or equal to the major scale units.

Module

A simple program (usually written in VBA) to automate a command or procedure. Also referred to as a macro. The Organizer allows this component to be shared between projects.

Monte Carlo Analysis

A form of quantitative risk analysis that, using complex sequences of random numbers, creates a likely distribution of various project schedules. A much simpler method is provided by PERT analysis.

MSO

Starts the task on a specific date. Use this inflexible constraint when a task has to start on a given date. Can create a scheduling conflict if this date is violated.

MPP

The default binary file storage format for Microsoft Project 2000 and Microsoft Project 2002/2003 Standard. Can not be read by any other applications.

Multiple Critical Paths

Microsoft Project can calculate and display a critical path for each independent network of tasks within the project or programme. This sets the late finish date for tasks without successors or constraints to be to be the same as their early finish date, thus becoming critical. A project-specific setting, this setting is set or cleared within the Calculation tab of the Options dialog box (Tools..Options).

Multiple Level Undo

Undo and redo changes to views, data and options more than just once. In addition to simple changes of data, undo/redo also allows the undo of actions or sets of actions from macros or third-party applications. By default, 20 levels of undo are possible, this value being set within the General tab of the Options dialog box. Only available in Microsoft Project version 2007 and later.

Multiple Task Information

A variation of the Task Information dialog that allows one setting to be applied to several tasks at the same time. For example; to change two tasks to be a fixed duration type, select both of them (with Click and CTRL+Click) and then click on

Multi-Value Fields

An enterprise outline code that allows multiple selections to be made from its structure rather than a single value. This type of code is invaluable for skill definition for resources where a resource may possess more than one skill.

My Documents Folder

The My Documents folder is the default working folder used by Microsoft Office applications. Documents will be opened from or saved to this folder by default.

Negative Slack	When the total slack (or total float) on a task is negative, its scheduled finish is too late for its successor(s) to begin on the date required by an inflexible constraint. Negative slack is sometimes referred to as 'Hyper-Criticality'.
Network	A combination of predecessor and successor tasks linked together in a logical sequence by means of precedence.
Network Diagram	A diagram that graphically shows tasks and their associated links. Microsoft Project supports the activity-on-node method, where tasks are represented by boxes (or nodes), and links are represented by lines that connect the boxes. Various layout and box style options are available. Network Diagrams are also referred to as PERT charts.
Node	Within the activity-on-arrow network diagramming method, a node represents the beginning or end of one (or several) tasks. Within the activity-on-node method (that is supported by Microsoft Project), nodes are used to represent the tasks and milestones themselves. Links are used to relate the nodes to each other and hence create a network diagram.
Non-Critical Path	The series of tasks that need not be completed on time for a project to finish on schedule. Each task on the non-critical path possesses a degree of slack.
Non-Critical Task	A non-critical task possesses some slack (or float). This task can be delayed within its slack without delaying the project finish date. Often shown (in relation to a critical task) as:
Non Working Time	Time scheduled by the shift pattern within a calendar to indicate when work can not be accomplished. Microsoft Project's default non working values are from 12AM-8AM, 12PM-1PM and 5PM-12AM (00:00-08:00 and 12:00-13:00 and 17:00-24:00).
Normal Tasks	The most common task. Assignments are made against normal tasks. Drawn on a Gantt chart from scheduled start to scheduled finish. Depicted as:

Objectives	Why you are doing the project, as listed in the client requirements definition. The business benefits that the project will provide when it is completed. Often broken down to three basic project objectives: Time; Cost; Quality.
ODBC	An acronym for Open DataBase Connectivity. A mechanism to save project information within a project database (.MDB file) or directly into a SQL server database bypassing Project Server (not recommended).
Office Assistant	The animated character that provides advice within Microsoft Project and other Microsoft Office products. Can also be used to locate specific help topics and items.
Office Web Components	A collection of ActiveX controls that Project Web Access uses to publish fully interactive worksheets, charts, PivotTable reports, and databases. Office web components are utilized within the availability graphs and the portfolio analyzer.
OLAP	An acronym for OnLine Analytical Processing. A database technology provided by SQL analysis services to pre-process and optimize database data and produce an OLAP Cube.
OLAP Cube	Pre-processed data created by OLAP is stored within an OLAP cube. This mult-dimensional data serves two purposes: to power the portfolio analyzer and to update resource availability tables that are used by the resource substitution wizard and the portfolio modeler. The data within an OLAP cube is as up-to-date as the date/time of cube generation. OLAP cubes can only contain project information that has been published to Project Server.
OLE	Object Linking and Embedding - a program integration technology to share information between applications. Information can be shared through linked and embedded objects between all application programs that support OLE.
Online/Offline	If Microsoft Project Professional is connected to a Project Server database, an online connection is established. When a user works offline, the centralized database can not be accessed and only projects on the local PC (or on a connected fileserver) can be accessed; for example when projects have been saved offline.
Organization Breakdown Structure	A hierarchical depiction of the project organisation, often broken down by functional area, department, manager, team leader and so on. This links with the work breakdown structure to form a responsibility matrix. An OBS is often referred to as a Resource Breakdown Structure.
Organizer	A tabbed dialog box in which to copy project components: views, tables, filters, calendars, reports, forms, toolbars, maps, and VBA modules to other documents. It can also copy objects to and from the GLOBAL.MPT file.
Orientation	The aspect of a printed view or report. Charts suit a landscape orientation, whilst sheets suit a portrait orientation.
Outdenting	Moving a task to a higher outline level (to the left) in the task name column. Usually done with . See also indenting.
Outline	A structured collection of tasks to represent phases of work within a project, in which the normal tasks and milestones are grouped (as subtasks) beneath their respective summary tasks: The outline is also referred to as a work breakdown structure (WBS).
Outline Code	A user-defined code that is primarily used to identify tasks within the project. This code (which can be formatted using a mask) can be used to create additional structures within the project (for example cost breakdown structures or product breakdown structures) in addition to the standard WBS. Outline codes can also be applied to resources. Use enterprise outline codes for use in a programme environment.
Outline Level	The hierarchical position of the task within the project's outline. A level of 1 is at the top (usually the main summary tasks) with levels 2,3,4 and so on representing subsequent levels beneath.
Outline Number	Numbers that indicate where a task is positioned in the project's outline. For example, a task with an outline number of 3.4 indicates that it’s the fourth subtask within the third top-level summary task.
Outline Symbol	An icon beside a summary task to indicate that its subtasks are displayed ( ), or collapsed ( ). Clicking on the icon will expand or collapse the outline, similar to the way that Windows Explorer expands or collapses the view of folders on a hard disk.
Overtime Rate	A rate applied against a resource for work (by the hours or days or even week) which is entered as overtime work.
Overtime Work	The amount of work on an assignment that can be scheduled beyond a resource's normal shift pattern. Charged at the resource's overtime rate, it is not additional work against the assignment. For example, if an assignment has 48 hours of standard work and 16 hours of overtime work, the total work on the assignment is 48 hours, but the assignment will only take 32 hours to complete, hence reducing the duration of the assignment and potentially reducing the duration of its related task.

P/Q

Page Break	A way to keep related information on a page by inserting a page break, putting the information above the break (shown by a gridline) on one page and the information below the break on another printed page.
Page Setup	Providing controls for; margins, orientation, headers, footers and other general formatting options when printing views and reports.
Parallel Assignments	When assignments for a resource overlap in the same time frame. This often causes a resource conflict if demand exceeds supply:
Parametric Estimating	An estimating technique that uses a statistical relationship between previous similar tasks and new tasks to be estimated. An example of this is function point analysis. See also analogous estimating.
Password	When connecting to a Project Server database using project server authentication, a password is usually required for a user to log in to Microsoft Project Professional or Project Web Access. If Windows authentication is utilized a separate password is not required in order to log in.
Peak Units	The highest assigned units value for all assignments for a resource. If a resource is assigned to 1 task at 50% assigned units and another task at 150% assigned units, the peak units value would be 150%. If peak units > max units, there will be a resource conflict.
Percent Complete	When a task is first created, its percent complete is zero. When the task is updated with values for actual duration, remaining duration, or actual work (which affects actual duration), Microsoft Project calculates percent complete as: Percent Complete = (Actual Duration / Duration) * 100 If a value is entered in the % Complete field, Microsoft Project automatically calculates actual duration and remaining duration, based around the a task's currently scheduled duration. Microsoft Project will also copy a task's scheduled start into actual start and scheduled finish to actual finish if the task is marked as 100% complete.
Percent Work Complete (Assignment)	The percentage of a resource's work on assignment that has been entered as completed or calculated as: percent work complete = (actual work / work) * 100.
Percent Work Complete (Resources)	The percentage of the resource's work that has been completed. It is a calculated value based upon the actual work done by the resource across all their assignments, using the formula: Percent Work Complete = (Actual Work / Work) * 100.
Percent Work Complete (Task)	The percentage of the task's work that has been completed. Either an entered value, or it is calculated from the actual work (task) as percent work complete = (actual work / work) * 100 (by default).
Permissions	Within Project Web Access, users and groups of users are given permissions that determine what they can do with the data within a Project Server database. Permissions can be given discretely to specific users or groups, but much greater control can be achieved by applying a security template.
Personal Gantt Chart	Within Project Web Access, a view of the tasks to which a user (usually a team member) has been assigned, together with bars depicting the schedule of the tasks. These assignments can be against one or several projects. A user has a degree of formatting and customisation available within this view, together with the ability to display just current tasks or all tasks. If the user has appropriate permissions, they can create new tasks and delegate work within this view. By switching from the Gantt chart to a timesheet view, a user also has the ability to record and submit actual work accomplished and remaining work that still has to be done.
PERT Analysis	PERT analysis is a simple form of quantitative risk analysis and can be applied to a schedule to help estimate the duration of a task. After the entry of optimistic, pessimistic, and expected durations for each of the tasks, Microsoft Project will calculate a weighted average of the three durations and determine a single duration estimate for each task. Gantt charts can display the results of critical path analysis taking all tasks at their optimistic, pessimistic and expected values. A button on the analysis toolbar provides access to PERT commands.
PERT Chart	A diagram that graphically shows tasks and their associated links. Tasks are represented by boxes (or nodes), and links are represented by lines that connect the boxes. The PERT Chart is more correctly called a network diagram.
Phase	A number of subtasks summarized by one or more summary tasks within the project's outline. Phases are often used to group common items of work together.
Physical Percent Complete	A user-defined estimate of the progress of a task that is not calculated by Microsoft Project or based upon the task's duration. Use this value as a personal estimate of a task's progress. BCWP values for tasks can be calculated based upon percent complete (the default) or physical percent complete.
Pivot Chart	A graphical representation of the data contained within a pivot table.
Pivot Table	An interactive table to summarize or crosstabulate large amounts of data. Different summaries can be found by manipulating its rows and columns, or by applying filters. Pivot tables can be found within the portfolio analyzer or they can contain exported data within Microsoft Excel.
Placeholder Resource	A temporary resource name used for estimating resource requirements. Once a project is approved, placeholder resources can be replaced with actual resources (real people - usually team members). This replacement can be achieved by using the build team from enterprise command or by the resource substitution wizard.
Planning Wizard	Planning wizards provide advice as you work with Microsoft Project. They are active by default, but their options can be selected or cleared within the General tab of the Options dialog box.
Portfolio	A list of all the projects within an organization. A portfolio can be broken down to form programmes of work. A portfolio will normally contain a common management of scope, budget, and resources
Portfolio Analyzer	A way to analyze resource performance, costs, or schedule information within a project or across multiple projects by using a pivot table or a pivot chart (provided by Office Web Components). The Portfolio Analyzer is available within Project Web Access to any user with suitable permissions. An OLAP cube is required to access data using the portfolio analyzer.
Portfolio Manager	Within a Project Server environment, portfolio managers would normally have overall responsibility for the projects undertaken by several project managers. Portfolio managers would normally use the project center and resource center, along with the portfolio analyzer and portfolio modeler to review the status of projects that they can access by their specific permissions and categories. Portfolio managers would also control protected baselines. They would normally reside within a programme office.
Portfolio Modeler	A way to model different project resource scenarios; for example to determine the feasibility of a new project. It can also be used to prioritize existing projects and resources, or find potential problems within a portfolio of multiple projects. The Portfolio Modeler is available within Project Web Access. An OLAP cube is required to manipulate projects using the portfolio modeler.
Portrait	A vertical page orientation, with more rows than columns ( ), this style is best suited to sheets and reports.
Predecessor	A task that must start or finish before another task can start or finish. Tasks without predecessors are known as dangles or hangers.
Precedence	The method for creating a network of linked tasks. In order for a task to take place, consider what preceding tasks must first be complete.
Preference Settings	Accessed using the Tools..Options command, preference settings that apply to the current project and to Microsoft Project in general are contained within a tabbed dialog box entitled Options. A wide number of settings within this dialog box define: Scheduling parameters. Calculation options (including critical path analysis). How views are displayed. General system switches. Editing options. Calendar defaults. Spelling settings. Workgroup parameters. Save options. Collaboration options (workgroup options).
Preleveled	The start and finish of a task prior to resource leveling being activated. It provides a before / after comparison to display the change in schedule as a result of the leveling process: Preleveled bars are displayed by default in the Leveling Gantt view.
PRINCE	A methodology for controlling 'PRojects IN Controlled Environments' that looks at planning and controlling a project from the perspective of the products that the project will provide.
Print Wizard	A wizard within the Project Guide that provides a step-by step method for printing views (but not reports).
Printer Driver	Information that tells Windows a printer's characteristics, so that Microsoft Project can provide hard-copies or print-previews.
Priority	The importance of a task when leveling is carried out. It is a numeric value from 0 (lowest) to 1000 (highest) - with 500 being the default. Priorities are especially useful when leveling in a programme environment.
Procedure	A series of steps followed in a regular definitive order to accomplish something. A procedure can often be applied to the detail elements of recurring tasks.
Product	A tangible deliverable produced by the accomplishment of tasks within a project.
Product Breakdown Structure	Used as an alternative to the WBS, the PBS is a useful way to use outline codes to group the project's tasks by the products that the project will produce. These products could be the high-level deliverables that are defined within the CRD and PRD documents.
Programme	A number of interrelated projects form a programme or portfolio of projects. They often contain external tasks and share scarce resources from a common resource pool or an enterprise resource pool. Thought should go into how programmes are established regarding information flow, access permissions, leveling priorities and many other important factors. Programmes are often made up of consolidated projects, built up from a number of master projects and subprojects. Programmes are stored as a common database of projects within Project Server. The portfolio analyzer can be used to provide a highly-configurable assessment of cost and work performance across the entire programme / portfolio.
Programme Office	Often found in larger organisations, programme offices oversee the work of several project managers, or indeed several portfolio managers. In a Microsoft Project 2000 / Standard environment the programme office may create consolidations of projects and they would usually be responsible for creating and administering project management standards and procedures. Within a Project Server environment, an administrator would normally reside within a programme office, creating standards, best practices and so on.
Progress Lines	A visual display of project progress that can be added to any of the Gantt Chart or Tracking Gantt based views. Based around a given progress date (usually the current date or status date), a progress line connects in progress tasks. If peaks within this line point to the left, work is behind schedule and if peaks point to the right, work is ahead of schedule.
Project Center	A way to access all the projects that have been published to Project Server. Access to detailed project information and the portfolio analyzer can be gained through the project center for users with appropriate category and permission rights.
Project Charter	Similar to the client requirements definition, project requirements definition and project initiation document, the project charter is a formal document issued by the project sponsor authorizing the project manager to undertake a project and utilize resources to carry out tasks.
Project Data Service	The project data service (PDS) provides a middle tier security layer that filters project information based upon individual user permissions. Line-of-business systems can communicate with the PDS using XML and SOAP.
Project Document	Information about the project stored as a file within a folder on a disk upon a computer. Project documents can be accessed by more than one user and can be saved in more than one file format. Project documents can also exist as database tables within Project Server.
Project Finish Date	The latest date for any work in a project plan to complete by. This date is normally calculated with a forward pass . It is relative to the project start date plus the longest schedule of tasks within the project. Resource leveling beyond slack can also determine this date. A project finish date can also be entered within the Project Information dialog, whereby all new tasks will be set as ALAP.
Project Guide	Situated within a sidepane, the Project Guide provides step-by-step assistance in undertaking frequently done tasks within Microsoft Project. Use it to help in the creation of new plans, to assign resources, to format views and so on. Custom guides can also be created using a combination of HTML and XML programming.
Project Initiation Document	Similar to the CRD and PRD documents, the Project Initiation Document (PID) contains information needed to start the project and ways to convey information to members of the project team members and to other stakeholders. Used as part of the PRINCE methodology.
Project Information Dialog	When a new file is created, Microsoft Project prompts for general project information, by default. You are required to enter a project start date or finish date and (optionally) a current date and a status date. In addition, you can determine which calendar is used as a base calendar and the default leveling order that will apply to all new tasks. Within a Project Server environment, enterprise outline codes can be entered to describe how the project fits within the overall programme.
Project Manager	The owner of a project. Within a Project Server environment, a project manager would normally have a suitable role. The project manager would publish the project plan to team members. It is also the project manager that will update the plan from completed timesheets, authorize newly-created task assignments and control delegations.
Project Objectives	Three basic objectives that a project must meet to ensure its successful conclusion: Time Objective. Cost Objective. Quality Objective. Often drawn on the corners of a triangle, the objectives form the basis of the project's strategic information. They also relate to one another; for example a reduction in time may incur additional cost or may reduce overall quality. Project objectives are often a contractual agreement between the project manager, the project's sponsor and the project's stakeholders.
Project Requirements Definition	What your project will deliver and how you will be judged (often by the project sponsor). Usually contains the following headings: Key personnel - who is responsible for what. Who the stakeholders are. Objectives - why you are doing it. Scope - project boundaries. Deliverables - what it will provide. Acceptance criteria - how you will be judged. How you will be performing it: major milestones; change control procedures. Constraints - conditions adhering to the project. Dependant / driver projects - other related projects or parts of projects. Assumptions - listed unknowns about the project. Client acceptance - a signature. Within a Project Server environment, consider making the PRD a linked document.
Project Resources	Work, time and cost are resources of the project that are consumed in its execution. For example, doing some work will take some time and incur some cost, as its accomplishment adds to meeting the project's overall objectives.
Project Server	A centralized Microsoft SQL database to enable collaborative planning and status reporting for a variety of users. Utilizing a web-based format, data can be manipulated and analyzed using Project Web Access. The creation and scheduling of projects within a Project Server can only be achieved by using Microsoft Project Professional.
Project Server Authentication	An authentication method contained within the Project Server database. When a user logs in to Project Web Access or goes online within Microsoft Project Professional, they will be authenticated by their user name and entered password. Users with Project Server authentication are unable to access documents, risks and issues using SharePoint. See also Windows authentication.
Project Statistics	A project-level summary displaying a comparison between baseline, current, actual and remaining values for the project's schedule and its duration, work and cost. Also displays percent complete and percent work complete values for the project as a whole. Accessed by the button or the Project..Project Information..Statistics command. This information can also be printed by using the 'Project Summary' report.
Project Summary Task	A task (on row 0 of a table) to display the length of the project's schedule, the total work involved, and the total cost of the project. The option to display the project summary task is selected or cleared within the View tab of the Options dialog box.
Project Start Date	The earliest date in a project plan. Set within the Project Information dialog box. When work on tasks can commence unless they posess predecessors or constraints. When projects are scheduled from a start date, all newly-created tasks are set as ASAP.
Project Templates	A file (suffixed .MPT) containing source information about resources, calendars, filters views and other project components. Templates can also contain tasks. The global file (GLOBAL.MPT) is a master template file that can contain formatting information for all projects, but can't store task, resource, or assignment information. See also enterprise templates.
Project Web Access	A method for viewing and manipulating information within a Project Server database using a browser interface. Each copy of Project Web Access requires its own client access license (CAL). Project Web Access is the normal access method for team members, stakeholders and executives.
Proposed Booking	A resource that is informally allocated to a project. The assignments for a proposed resource do not reduce the resource's availability to work on other projects. Options against resource availability graphs and within the leveling dialog box can select whether the provisionally allocated work against proposed bookings are taken into account for assignment creation or rescheduling. See also committed booking.
Protected Actuals	Actual work against assignments that have been entered into timesheets by Project Web Access users and updated into a project by the project manager become protected actuals. These protected actuals can not be overwritten within Microsoft Project Professional.
Protected Baseline	A permission by which only specific users (for example administrators within a programme office or portfolio managers) are able to save the master baseline for projects within a Project Server database. If this permission is exercised, even the project manager that owns a particular project will not be able to save or clear a baseline that is protected.
Publish	A method by which a Project Server database (and the users that are linked to the server) is updated with task, assignment or project information (for example schedule changes to assignments or revised project costs).
Published Fields	Fields that appear within a personal Gantt chart and a personal timesheet when a project has been published.
Qualitative Risk Analysis	An interactive team-based method for determining the likelihood and impact of risk upon a project. It utilises techniques such as cause-and-effect diagrams to find risks and risk matrices to help qualify and quantify risks. Following this analysis, risk mitigation would be performed to eliminate or reduce risks.
Quality Objective	One of the three project objectives. A definition of the quality (as defined within the client requirements and project requirements documents) that the project must adhere to deliver the items defined within the project's scope. By carefully defining the project's deliverables and monitoring progress against them, you can see if this objective is being met. See also cost objective; time objective.
Quantitative Risk Analysis	A mathematical approach to the likelihood and impact of changes to a project's schedule. Involves techniques such as PERT analysis and Monte Carlo analysis.

Recurring Task	A task that is repeated at defined intervals. These intervals can be for a fixed number of occurrences or based around specific dates. Each recurring task has a SNET constraint applied to it.
Reject Task	Within a personal Gantt chart or a timesheet view, a task that has been assigned by a project manager (usually to a team member) can be removed. This action removes the task from the timesheet and sends a notification to the project manager. The task (assignment) itself isn't removed from the project plan unless the rejection is approved by the project manager.
Remaining Duration	The amount of time required to complete the unfinished portion of a task. With a value for an actual duration, it is calculated as: Remaining duration = duration – actual duration If a % complete value is entered for the task, it is calculated as: Remaining duration = duration – (duration * % complete) Remaining duration values can also be entered against tasks, recalculating the task's duration and percent complete values.
Remaining Work (Assignment)	Shows the amount of time, or hours, still required by a resource assigned to a task to complete an assignment. Calculated as remaining work = assigned work – actual work.
Remaining Work (Resource)	Shows the amount of time, or person-hours, still required by a resource to complete all assigned tasks.
Remaining Work (Task)	Shows the amount of time, or person-hours, still required by all assigned resources to complete a task. This value should be for review purposes; as if a value is entered, Microsoft Project divides the remaining work entered amongst the assigned resources.
Report Library	A list of all available reports, applicable to tasks or resources. Accessed by using the View..Reports command, followed by the Custom button. Originally held in the GLOBAL.MPT file, a template or the enterprise global template, reports are stored to the local project document once they have been accessed. Reports can be edited directly (or copied to create new reports) within the library.
Report Template	A predefined format for a hard-copy report (which may be customizable).
Reports	A tabular format for hard-copy reports. Can be based around tables or in a crosstab format. Reports can be edited and new ones created by selecting the 'Custom' option. The Organizer allows this component to be shared between projects.
Request Assignment	An assignment for a resource that could be substituted by the Resource Substitution Wizard with an alternative resource that possesses suitable skills to carry out the assignment and who also possesses greater availability. See also demand assignment.
Required Field	An enterprise custom field or enterprise outline code that must contain a value before data can be saved to a Project Server database. The Resource Breakdown Structure is a useful example of a required field.
Reschedule Uncompleted Work To Start	An automatic updating option that reschedules remaining work on a task or tasks after the current date / status date, controlled upon the setting of split in-progress tasks.
Resource Allocation View	A combination view showing a Leveling Gantt view in the lower pane and a resource usage view in the upper pane. It is especially useful in displaying why resources are overallocated, as the task bars below relate only to the resource currently selected above. Decisions can then be made as to how best to resolve any resource conflicts or simply how to utilize resource time most efficiently. Can be applied by using the button on the resource management toolbar or from within the view library.
Resource Availability Graph	A graph to display the overall work, specific assigned work and remaining availability for one or more resources. Resource availability graphs (a feature of Microsoft Project 2002 and 2003) can be accessed within the Assign Resources dialog and the Resource Center. If the resource(s) displayed in the graph is an enterprise resource that is accessed across a Project Server, the assignment and availability information will be across the entire programme.
Resource Breakdown Structure	A hierarchical depiction of the project organization, often broken down by functional area, manager, team leader and so on. The RBS is a reserved enterprise outline code within a Project Server database. Within an enterprise resource pool the RBS should be used to define where a resource fits within the organization. The RBS is used by the build team from enterprise and the resource substitution wizard to optimize resource utilization. The RBS can also be used to categorize access by specific users to specific resource information. The RBS can also be linked with the work breakdown structure to form a responsibility matrix. The RBS is sometimes known as an Organisation Breakdown Structure.
Resource Calendar	A calendar that specifies working time and non working time for an individual resource. Resource calendars can define unique exceptions for individuals, such as holidays / vacations, different working days, or different shift patterns. Resource calendars use the project's calendar (normally called 'Standard') as their base calendar. Within a Project Server environment, resource calendars are defined within the enterprise resource pool by a resource manager, an administrator or another user with appropriate permissions.
Resource Center	Utilizing Project Server, how the enterprise resource pool can be accessed, for example to change enterprise resource details, such as skill codes or costs.
Resource Conflict	A conflict is where the demand for a resource exceeds its supply. This is usually for the following reasons: Assigned units > max units. A resource is assigned outside the boundaries of its availability profile. Resource assignments are in parallel. Resource conflicts can also exist when a resource from a common resource pool or an enterprise resource pool is assigned to parallel tasks across two or more projects. The resource usage view is ideal for finding where resource conflicts exist and their cause.
Resource Form View	The resource form view provides detailed tracking and scheduling information about a project's resources, one resource at a time. This form can be used in isolation, but it is most useful when displayed in a lower pane, displaying additional information about the resource selected in the upper pane.
Resource Freeze Horizon	Within the Resource Substitution Wizard, the resource freeze horizon is a time boundary that allows substitutions to be made against assignments occurring later than the horizon, but not before the horizon date.
Resource Graph View	Displays information about the allocation, work, or cost of resources over time. It displays information for one resource at a time, for selected resources, or for a resource and the selected resources simultaneously.
Resource Group	A way to categorize resources by a common grouping. For example, a group name could be 'Technical' or 'Sales'. This field can be grouped and filtered upon. Consider using outline codes or enterprise outline codes as a more powerful and flexible way to define resources, especially if the resource is within a common resource pool.
Resource Group Filter	A global filter to select resources by resource group. Ensure that all resources share the same group name for consistency; for example 'Management' and not 'Mgt.' or 'Mgmt.'
Resource Import Wizard	A step-by step way to add resources to the enterprise resource pool. Resources can be imported from an existing project's resource pool or they can be imported from other sources including Excel spreadsheets and ODBC databases.
Resource Management Toolbar	Provides tools to assist in scheduling and optimizing assignments; for example resource allocation and task entry.
Resource Manager	Within a Project Server environment, resource managers would normally manage a number of team members within their area of the Resource Breakdown Structure. Resource managers may use the build team from enterprise tool to staff projects on behalf of project managers. Resource managers would also have access to the project center and resource center, along with the portfolio analyzer and portfolio modeler, dependant upon their specific permissions and categories.
Resource Pool	A set of resources that are available for assignment to project tasks. A resource pool can be used exclusively by one project or can be shared as a common resource pool in a programme environment. See also enterprise resource pool.
Resource Sheet View	Displays information about each resource in a number of tables. Useful in creating a project's resource pool, especially when using the entry table as its fields are most appropriate to the resource definition process. When enterprise resources are checked out from the enterprise resource pool, they are displayed within a resource sheet. Consider creating a specific table to display appropriate enterprise custom fields for each resource.
Resource Substitution Wizard	An automated way to assign and replace requested resources for one project or within a programme of projects. The wizard takes into account the skills required to perform tasks, skill codes for resources in the enterprise resource pool, together with resource availability and RBS values across several projects. An OLAP cube is required for the resource substitution wizard to function as resource availability tables within the cube are utilized by the wizard.
Resource Usage View	Providing rows of resource and assignment information, together with values (work / cost / baseline and other information) that are timephased. Provides full editing facilities in how an assignment may be defined. In a Project Server environment, this view also depicts project-level assignment detail for resource utilization across the programme. See also task usage view.
Resources	Resources are the people, equipment and supplies used to complete tasks in a project. When work-type resources are assigned to complete tasks, they create the project resource: Work. Resources that are assigned to tasks but do not create work are known as material resources. Resources that represent budget values are known as budget resources. Cost resources can be used to allocate fixed cost values to tasks. Resources may be enterprise resources or local resources. When enterprise resources simply represent skill categories, they are known as generic resources.
Resource View	A view that displays information from the resource database within Microsoft Project. Resource views include: Resource sheet. Resource graph. Resource usage. Resource allocation. Resource form.
Responsibility Matrix	A structure that relates the tasks from the work breakdown structure with the resources from the organisation breakdown structure to ensure that all of the project's scope is assigned responsibility and accountability. It is also useful in determining what information is provided for and received from which project manager, project team member or stakeholder.
Resume	A task field that indicates the beginning of the remaining portion of a task. This would normally be immediately following the stop date if a task is on schedule. If the task has been split so remaining work is after the current date or the status date, the resume date may be much later than the stop date. This field is usually calculated by Microsoft Project, but it can also be entered.
Right-Aligned	Text aligned to the right-hand side of a column or cell.
Right-Click	Using the secondary mouse button (the right button by default) to provide an alternative course of action - usually a shortcut menu.
Risk	An uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or (more often) negative effect upon the project's objectives. Within Project Web Access, risks can be monitored, managed and mitigated using forms controlled by SharePoint.
Risk Analysis	Methods for determining and mitigating the risks that may be present in a project. Risk analysis takes two basic forms: Qualitative risk analysis. Quantitative risk analysis.
Risk Cost	The cost of the risk (in money terms) on the project, should the particular risk defined risk actually affect the outcome of a project.
Risk Cost Exposure	A calculation of risk cost cost multiplied by risk probability that can be used to predict the cost of the risk before it actually affects the outcome of a project.
Risk Exposure	A calculation of risk probability multiplied by impact - an additional risk measuring tool.
Risk Impact	A measure of the significance of the risk to affect the outcome of a project. By default, this is given a value from 1 to 10.
Risk Matrix	A diagrammatic way of determining the likelihood of a risk occurring, compared with the impact upon the project if it did occur. This method is an ideal way for a project team to qualify and quantify which risks require mitigation.
Risk Mitigation	A qualitative strategy for dealing with project risks. Mitigation options include: Acceptance - Not changing the project plan to deal with a risk that is usually determined to be either very unlikely or have a very low impact. Avoidance - Changing the project plan to eliminate a risk or protect a project's objectives from the impact of the risk. Contingencies - A plan of action to deal with the time or cost impacts of a risk occurring. Risk reduction - Actions to reduce the likelihood of a risk occurring or the impact upon the project if it did. Risk transfer - Shifting the impact of a risk (along with its ownership) to a third party. A mitigation plan can contain possible actions to mitigate defined risks. Tasks within the project can be assigned as part of a mitigation plan.
Risk Owner	Possibly the most important of all the risk definitions - the person (from within the enterprise resource pool) that has overall responsibility for the management and possible mitigation of an identified risk.
Risk Probability	The likelihood in percentage terms of the risk actually happening. By default this is between 1% and 100%, although different percentage thresholds can be established.
Risk Status	There are three risk status classifications by default: Active, Postponed, and Closed. If other status values are required, they can also be added.
Risk Trigger	Events (either general or associated with specific tasks) that would cause a risk to actually affect the outcome of a project.
Role	Within Project Web Access, a role defines the type of user that will access Project Server data. Roles can be used to relate security templates with user groups and with categories. For example the user group "Project Managers" would normally access the "My Projects" category and permissions for this type of role would be determined by the "Project Manager" security template.
Rolling Wave Planning	A top-down planning method where the project's outline is defined in finite detail for work to be accomplished in the near future, with work in the far future defined at just a summary level. As the project's schedule progresses, (and actual progress has been accomplished), detail is subsequently added to the outline to adequately plan the tasks and assignments that will be carried out in the near future. This technique avoids the big-bang approach of traditional top-down planning and suits projects that may be subject to changes of design and scope as they progress.
Row	Within a table, objects (tasks resources or assignments) occupy the rows. Information about the objects is contained in cells, which relate to fields displayed within the table's columns.
Row Heading	Usually displayed in the locked first column of a table, clicking on a row heading selects the entire task / resource, rather than a cell of information. Use this when cutting and pasting tasks / resources, or when moving objects with the cell drag and drop function.
Rules	Within the Update page of Project Web Access, rules can be established to automate the following: Updating a project plan with actual work and remaining work from specific users. Allowing the creation of new task assignments for specific users. Allowing delegations from specific users.

Save Offline/Online	Projects can be saved offline (as .MPP) files to a PC that will become disconnected from the Project Server (for example to work from home or to test a particular scenario by working offline). Offline files are checked out from the Project Server database. Projects can then be saved online back to a connected Project Server database and checked back in.
Schedule	The timing and sequence of tasks within a project. A schedule is calculated (using critical path analysis and (optionally) resource leveling) taking task durations, links and constraints into account.
Schedule Table	Displays information for reviewing when tasks can start and finish, together with any free time (slack) that they may possess. The table's columns contain the fields: ID; task name; scheduled start; scheduled finish; late start; late finish; free slack (float); total slack (float).
Scheduled Finish	The current date and time when a task can be completed by. Initially equal to the task's early finish, it can be delayed as a result of constraints or by a leveling delay. If the task is completed, this date will be equivalent to the task's actual finish date.
Scheduled Start	The current date and time when a task can commence. Initially equal to the task's early start, it can be delayed as a result of constraints or by a leveling delay. If the task is in progress or completed, this date will be equivalent to the task's actual start date.
Scheduling	By default, Microsoft Project provides automatic scheduling, calculating when tasks will occur by using the process of critical path analysis. More advanced scheduling will take resource leveling and PERT analysis into account.
Scheduling Conflict	Where a combination of task durations and links violate a constrained date or a deadline date. This gives rise to negative slack. Can also be caused by resource leveling.
Scheduling Formula	The method by which work is calculated. It takes the format: Assigned work = assigned units x task duration Dependant upon the chosen task type, a change to one variable can affect another variable.
Scheduling Messages	Messages about schedule inconsistencies; for example the existence of a scheduling conflict.
Scope	The boundaries of the project (or even the task); what it will and will not include. This is usually listed within the client requirements definition (CRD) and project requirements definition (PRD) documents. This also relates to the quality objective for the project. Linked documents can be used to contain a defined scope.
Scope Creep	Adding features or functionality to the products created by the project without fully addressing the effect upon the project objectives of the additional work invariably incurred to deliver the features or functionality.
Screen Tip	A small pop-up help bubble, indicating what a command does, or what an indicator displays, or further information about what the cursor is currently placed over.
Scroll Arrow	To scroll forwards (to the right), click on the arrow to the right of the scroll bar. To scroll backwards (to the left), click on the arrow to the left of the scroll bar.
Scroll Bars	Use the scroll bar to scroll within charts or tables. Scroll bars can be either vertical or horizontal and are located at the right side and bottom edge of scrollable panes of the window.
Scroll Box	The small grey square in the middle of a scroll bar. To scroll rapidly to another part of the chart or table, drag the scroll box.
Search	A project document can be searched by its file name, type, date last modified, or text within the file or by the file properties. Search criteria can also be saved to the project document.
Security Template	Security templates are used to standardize permissions that apply to users and groups of users within a Project Server database. Security templates work in conjunction with categories in defining what a user can see and do within a Project Server environment.
Select All Button	The select all button appears in the upper-left corner of tables and selects all the rows and columns in a table. It can also be used to force a manual reschedule of the plan. It also provides a useful shortcut menu for table selection.
Selective Leveling	A mechanism by which only certain resources are included or excluded from the leveling process. Can be achieved by selecting particular resources to be leveled or by using a can level switch against particular resources.
Set as Default	Copies current preference settings to the PC's registry, making them available to all new projects. Beware of using this button inadvertently.
Sharer Project	A project that takes its resources by sharing with a common resource pool. In a Project Server environment, all projects are sharer projects as they utilize resources from an enterprise resource pool.
SharePoint	A Microsoft server technology providing collaboration functions allowing a user to: Link documents to projects and tasks. Manage risks. Manage issues.
SharePoint Team Services	The SharePoint technology used by Microsoft Project 2002 Server.
Sheets	Made up from tables, sheets represent information in rows and columns. Sheets include: Task sheet. Resource sheet. Sheets are often useful as the basis for printed views and are best produced in portrait notation.
SHIFT+Click	Holding down the SHIFT key on the keyboard and Clicking the left mouse button. This can be used to select all objects between the first and last click points. See also CTRL+Click.
Shift Pattern	A period of working time defined within a calendar. Microsoft Project's default shift pattern for all new projects is from 8AM-12PM and 1PM-5PM (08:00-1200 and 13:00-17:00). Care should be taken to ensure a degree of consistency between the shift pattern and the project's hours per day.
Shortcut Menu	Shortcut menus appear when you Right-Click while the cursor is over an enabled region of the screen. They provide a quick alternative to accessing frequently used commands.
Side Pane	Situated to the left side of a Microsoft Project Standard or Microsoft Project Professional window, the side pane displays help and additional information defined within the Project Guide. When a side pane (also known as an action pane) is displayed within Project Web Access, it provides links to frequently-performed actions
Size	A percentage value representing the width of a minor scale increment for a chart. See also enlargement factor.
Skill Codes	An enterprise outline code to define the specific skills that a resource possesses. Within Microsoft Project 2003, skill codes can contain just single values (for example C# programmer) or they can contain multiple values, for example; a C# programmer that can speak French.
Slack	The amount of time a task can slip before it has an affect on other tasks or the project finish date. There are two basic types of slack: Total slack. Free slack. Also referred to as float.
Slack Bar	A bar on the Gantt chart to represent a task's calculated slack (normally drawn from the scheduled finish to the late finish (total slack)).
Slippage	How much a task has been delayed within a project's schedule. Usually equivalent to the task's finish variance (the difference between baseline finish and the current finish). If finish variance = start variance - task is usually delayed due to a predecessor. If finish variance > start variance - task is due to take longer than planned. If finish variance < start variance - task may be catching up on any delays. Use the global filter 'Slipping tasks' for general slippages, AutoFilters to help find discrete ones.
Smart Tag	Offering immediate assistance with a choice of possible outcomes, smart tags explain some of the idiosyncrasies within Microsoft Project 2002 and 2003. They can be invoked when: Assigning more than one person to a task. Changing task start / finish dates. Editing work / units / duration values. Making deletions within a name cell. Smart tags can be selected or cleared within the Interface tab of the Options dialog box.
SNET	The most common constraint (with the exception of as soon as possible). Starts the task on or after the entered date. Use this flexible constraint when a task can not start until a given date. This constraint can be created by typing in a date in a task's 'Start' field, or by dragging a bar through time with . The indicator highlights the presence of this constraint.
SNLT	Starts the task on or before the entered date. Use this flexible constraint when a task must start by a specific date.
SOAP	An acronym for Simple Object Access Protocol. Programmers can use a combination of SOAP and XML to communicate with the Project Data Service (PDS) component of Project Server.
Source Program	The program in which the data originally resides when exchanging d