# Project Management Glossary: Gantt, Kanban | SmartPM

Short definitions of project management terms: Gantt chart, critical path, float, dependency types, milestone, kanban, workload, and portfolio.

# Project management glossary

This glossary defines the most frequently used terms in project planning in single sentences and indicates where each term appears in SmartPM.

**Gantt chart**

A plan view that displays tasks as horizontal bars on a timeline; the start of the bar represents the start date and the end represents the finish date. In SmartPM, you drag and resize bars ( Gantt chart ).

**Dependency (predecessor and successor)**

A rule linking the start or end of one task to another. There are four types: Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, Finish-to-Finish, and Start-to-Finish. SmartPM supports all four.

**Lag (waiting time)**

Mandatory delay between two linked tasks; for example, formwork is removed two working days after concrete pouring. In SmartPM, lag is entered in working days.

**Critical path**

The longest chain of dependent tasks determining the project's end date; if any task in this chain slips by one day, the entire project slips by one day. SmartPM highlights critical path tasks in red on the Gantt chart.

**Float**

The amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project's end date; tasks on the critical path have zero float.

**Auto-shift**

Automatic forward shifting of dependent tasks when a task's date changes. In SmartPM, successor tasks shift according to link rules and working days.

**Milestone**

A task with no duration that marks a significant point in the project, e.g., "Design approval". In SmartPM, any task can be set as a milestone, and the next milestone is shown in the portfolio.

**Kanban board**

A board displaying tasks as cards in columns according to workflow stages; work progresses as cards move from one column to another. In SmartPM, columns correspond to project lists ( kanban and tasks ).

**Sub-task**

A task that breaks a large task into smaller, trackable parts. In SmartPM, sub-tasks can nest up to five levels deep.

**Working days**

Days of the week considered productive for planning; durations and lags are calculated based on these days. In SmartPM, each project can select its own working days, e.g., including Saturday.

**Workload and capacity**

Comparison of the total duration of tasks assigned to a person against their weekly available hours. In SmartPM, workload is displayed per person and per week using estimated durations.

**Timesheet**

Record showing how much time individuals spent on which tasks, displayed weekly. In SmartPM, durations are entered via timer or manually and can be exported as CSV ( time tracking ).

**Portfolio**

High-level view showing the status, progress, and risks of all projects in an organisation on a single screen. SmartPM's portfolio includes each project's latest status update, delayed tasks, and budget usage.

**Project status update**

Project manager marking the project's progress as On Track, At Risk, or Delayed and sharing a short note. In SmartPM, updates are stored with history and notified to the team.

**Automation rule**

Rule that automatically performs repetitive manual actions in an 'If this, then that' format. In SmartPM, a project can have up to 50 rules, with up to three actions defined per rule.

**Audit log**

Immutable history showing who changed what, in which project, and when. SmartPM retains audit logs for 400 days.

## Start using these terms with your team

Gantt chart, critical path and Kanban in one panel.