Actual Finish Date (AF)

Project management must always keep in mind the predicted completion of the task. Once the work has ended, the project has reached its actual finish date (AF). This can be different from when the job is ruled as “finished”. That is due to the incidence of certain tasks being labeled as “finished” when a large majority of the work has been done, but the job still needs some work.

The actual finish date (AF) can differ from the projected completion date. Unanticipated events and other delays can contribute to that difference. Projects with environmental factors often have several days built into the time table to allow for weather related delays in the work. Project management can assist in bringing the predicted and actual finish date (AF) closer together by minimizing external forces and events which might slow work. Those working in project management might consider offering some incentive to their employees for completing the job with an earlier actual finish date than the predicted date. This can encourage faster, more efficient work among the employees who would like to get work done on the task as soon as possible for their own benefit and that of the company.

This term is defined in the 3rd edition of the PMBOK but not in the 4th.