Activity duration is a noun that represents the specific quantity of time that exists between the designated start time and end time of a scheduled activity. For further elaboration on this definition, please see the definitions for actual duration, original duration, and remaining duration. Activity duration should be carefully measured from the start date to the end date and can be calculated in whatever calendar units are appropriate given the anticipated timeframe of the project, such as days, weeks, months, etc. The activity duration can be established when a project is conceived, or it can be established when a project is kicked off, and is typically fluid in nature, and able to be modified if the situation merits and with the agreement of all parties. Furthermore, the sum total of the activity duration can also be broken up into smaller parts in the establishment of project milestones, points at which either the current state of the project will be assessed, or potentially sum or all deliverables will be submitted in either final or draft form.

This term is defined in the 3rd and the 4th edition of the PMBOK.

Related Entries:

 

  • Activity Duration Estimating Activity duration estimating represents the act of quantifying the amount of time that it is anticipated the activity will take...
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  • Duration The term duration (also known by the abbreviations DU or DUR) refers, in a big picture sense, to the total...
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  • Actual Duration The term actual duration can refer to a couple of different things depending on usage and context. In one usage,...
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  • Original Duration (OD) Original duration is one of the most critical elements of effective and comprehensive project management, as it is a truly...
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  • Remaining Duration In project management, accurate reporting on schedule progress entails documentation of the remaining duration of each schedule activity. In schedule...