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Task

Task

Scheduling Terms Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: A Task, also called an Activity, is an element of work performed during a project, with its own expected duration, cost, and resource requirements.

Some EVM systems define tasks or activities at a level below the Work Package, while others use the two terms interchangeably without further breakdown. Either way, tasks are the building blocks schedules and progress measurement are built from.

Why it matters

Because tasks carry their own duration, cost, and resource estimates, they're the level of detail where day-to-day schedule and cost tracking actually happens. How granular tasks are defined directly affects how precisely progress can be measured.

Also known as
Activity
Used in
Work Package; Network Schedule

FAQ

Is a Task the same thing as an Activity?
Yes -- the two terms are used interchangeably in EVM and scheduling.
Is a Task always below a Work Package in the hierarchy?
Not always -- some EVM systems break work packages down into tasks or activities, while others don't differentiate between the two levels at all.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
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