Reading Schedule Charts

A Barchart Schedule (see below) is the CPM Schedule expressed in a graphic form with each task represented as a bar in a timescale. The numbered elements of the chart are described below.

(1) Task ID (or Activity ID) - This number is only used for identification purposes.

(2) Task (or Description) - This is the Activity Description.

(3) Work Days (or Original Duration) - This is the total number of days originally planned to complete this task often expressed in work-days.

(4) Start Date (or Early Start) - This is the earliest planned start date of this task.

(5) Finish Date (or Early Finish) - This is the earliest planned finish date of this task.

(6) Total Float - This is the total number of days this activity can be delayed before it affects the project completion date.

(7) Time Scale – This is a calendar expressed at the top and bottom of the chart so each task, expressed as a bar) can be read as a period of time in the calendar of dates.

(8) Task Bar (or Activity Bar) – This is a graphic way of indicating each task or activity duration in a bar chart form expressed in the Time Scale Calendar.