A
Activity
A specific task or unit of work that must be completed as part of a project. Activities often have dependencies and durations.
B
Baseline
A fixed reference point used to compare project performance over time. Common baselines include scope, schedule, and budget.
Budget
The estimated cost of a project, including labor, materials, resources, and other expenses. Project managers monitor and control the budget to avoid overspending.
Business Analyst (BA)
A team member who gathers requirements, defines project scope, and ensures alignment with business goals throughout the project.
C
Client Communication
An ongoing process of updating clients about the status of a project, addressing their feedback, and ensuring transparency through tools like message boards or shared dashboards.
Critical Path
The sequence of dependent tasks that determines the shortest time in which a project can be completed. Delays in these tasks delay the entire project.
D
Deliverable
A measurable, tangible output of a project, such as a report, product, or document that must be completed and approved.
E
Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
A project performance technique that integrates scope, schedule, and cost to evaluate progress and forecast future performance.
F
Functional Structure
A team structure where individuals are organized by department and report to functional managers, often used when project work aligns with departmental work.
G
Gantt Chart
A visual project management tool that displays tasks along a timeline. It helps track progress, dependencies, and scheduling.
H
Hybrid Structure
A project team structure combining elements of functional and projectized structures to allow for both shared and dedicated resources.
K
Kickoff Meeting
The initial meeting where project stakeholders and team members align on objectives, deliverables, timelines, and communication plans.
M
Matrix Structure
An organizational structure in which team members report to both a project manager and a functional manager. It supports collaboration across departments.
Milestone
A significant event or point in a project timeline that marks the completion of a major phase or deliverable.
P
Post-Mortem Report
A reflective report written at the end of a project to document successes, challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement.
Project
A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result, defined by a clear beginning and end.
Project Charter
A document that formally authorizes a project, outlining scope, objectives, stakeholders, deliverables, and roles.
Project Coordinator
A team member who supports the project manager by handling administrative duties like scheduling meetings and tracking progress.
Project Manager (PM)
The person responsible for planning, executing, and closing a project, ensuring it’s completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
Project Plan
A comprehensive document that outlines how the project will be executed, monitored, and controlled. It includes scope, schedule, budget, and more.
Project Scope
Defines the boundaries of a project, including what is and isn’t included in the project deliverables.
Projectized Structure
A team structure where all team members report directly to the project manager, and resources are dedicated full-time to the project.
Q
Quality Assurance (QA) Manager
A role focused on maintaining project output quality by defining standards, performing tests, and ensuring compliance with project requirements.
R
Resource Allocation
The process of assigning available resources, such as people, time, and budget, to specific project tasks.
Resource Capacity Planning
A strategic activity that evaluates team availability and workload to ensure projects are properly staffed without burnout or underutilization.
Risk Management
The process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential issues that could negatively impact the project.
S
Scope Creep
The uncontrolled expansion of a project‘s scope without adjustments to time, cost, and resources, often leading to missed deadlines or budget overruns.
Stakeholders
Individuals or groups with an interest in the project‘s outcome–this includes clients, team members, executives, and external partners.
T
Task Dependency
The relationship between tasks where one task relies on the completion of another before it can begin.
Team Collaboration
The process of team members working together through tools and communication practices to achieve common project goals.
Time Tracking
Monitoring and recording the amount of time spent on project activities to manage costs, improve accuracy, and ensure accountability.
W
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
A visual or hierarchical breakdown of a project into smaller, manageable components, often used for planning and tracking.
