PMO and Project Management Dictionary

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Abstract resource – an imaginary resource that is created to control its availability and activity. To avoid an accident hazard, it is possible to have two jobs at once.
Acceptance – The formal process of accepting delivery.
Acceptance criteria are performance requirements and essential conditions that must be met before project deliverables can be accepted.
Acceptance test – A formal, pre-defined test that is used to determine compliance of the deliverable item with the acceptance criteria.
Accountability Matrix – See responsibility assignment matrix.
Accrued Costs – These are costs that have been earmarked for the project, and for which payment has not yet been made.
Acquisition strategy – Determine the best way to procure the components or services for a project.
Action Item – A person agrees to do something as a result a discussion at a meeting. This is usually recorded in the minutes of the meeting or log.
Active – This is the status of an approved initiative or project that includes applied resource and management activities.
Activity is a task, job, operation, or process that consumes time and may use other resources. The smallest unit of work that can be used to define the logic of an activity. Activities share the following characteristics: a defined duration, logic relationships with other activities in a program, use resources like people, materials, or facilities, and an associated cost. They should be identified by their start and end dates, and the person or organization responsible.
Activity Definition – Identifying the activities that will be performed to produce the various project deliverables.
Activity Description (AD), A short phrase or label that is used in a project diagram. Usually, the activity description describes the scope of the activity.
Activity duration – This is the time it takes to complete an activity. It can be hours, days, weeks or months.
Activity Duration Estimating – Estimating the work period required to complete each activity
Activity file – A file that contains all data related to the activities defined for a project.
Activities ID – A unique code that identifies each activity within a project.
Activity-on-arrow network -k Arrow diagram, network in the which the arrows represent the activities.
Activity-on-node Network – Precedence diagram, in which the nodes represent the activities.
Activity status – The state at which an activity is complete. A planned activity has not yet begun. A completed activity is still in progress. A completed activity is done.
Actual Cost (AC), Incurred costs that have been charged to the project budget and for which payment was made or accrued for payment. See Earned value analysis.
Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP), (Spent Costs), – Total costs incurred in order to complete work within a specified time period. Also see earned value analysis.
Actual dates – these are the actual dates that are entered as the project progresses. These are the actual dates at which activities began and ended, not projected or planned dates.
Actual direct costs are costs that are directly associated with a contract or project. Also see direct costs.
Actual Finish Date (AF).