HKSM
Activity
A specific, time-scheduled task carried out as part of a project.
Key Points
- Represents a single, clearly defined piece of project work.
- Has a planned start and finish, and can be estimated for duration, effort, and cost.
- Is sequenced with predecessors and successors, allowing dependencies, leads, and lags.
- Typically results from decomposing a work package in the WBS and appears in the network diagram/schedule.
Example
In a construction project, “Pour concrete for foundation” is an activity scheduled for two days after the “Formwork inspection” is complete. It’s assigned to the concrete crew and depends on the completion of rebar installation.
PMP Example Question
When developing the schedule, the project manager breaks work packages into units that can be sequenced, estimated, and assigned. What are these units called?
- Deliverables
- Milestones
- Activities
- Programs
Correct Answer: C — Activities, the scheduled tasks that make up the project work
Explanation: Activities are the discrete, schedulable tasks derived from work packages. Milestones mark significant points in time, deliverables are outputs, and programs are groups of related projects.
