Learn These 2 Important PMP Terms: Leads and Lags in Project Management

As a project manager, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the terminology and concepts used in project management. Two important terms frequently used in the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam and in project planning and scheduling are “leads” and “lags.” Leads and lags play a significant role in managing project dependencies and controlling the sequence of activities.

In this article, we will explore the significance of leads and lags in project management and provide practical insights on how to effectively use these important PMP terms in your projects.

Understanding Leads and Lags

1. Leads: In project management, a lead refers to an acceleration of the successor activity or the advancement of its start date. It allows for the successor activity to start before its predecessor activity is complete. Leads are often used to mitigate project risks, compress schedules, or take advantage of opportunities.

For example, if Activity A takes two weeks to complete and Activity B is its successor, a lead of two days on Activity B would mean that Activity B can start two days before Activity A is finished. This can be beneficial when there is a dependency between the two activities, but Activity B does not require the full duration of Activity A to start.

2. Lags: Conversely, a lag in project management refers to a delay or waiting period inserted between the predecessor and successor activities. It represents the minimum time that must pass before the successor activity can begin. Lags are used to account for practical constraints, resource availability, or dependencies that require a specific waiting period.

For instance, if Activity A and Activity B have a finish-to-start dependency with a two-day lag, it means that Activity B cannot start until two days after the completion of Activity A. This lag period allows for buffer time or other activities to take place before the successor activity commences.

Benefits and Applications of Leads and Lags

The strategic use of leads and lags in project management offers several benefits and applications:

• Flexibility in Scheduling: Leads and lags allow project managers to adjust the sequence of activities and optimize the project schedule.
• Time Compression: Leads can be used to accelerate critical activities and compress project timelines, enabling faster project completion.
• Risk Mitigation: Leads and lags can help mitigate risks by creating buffers or providing additional time for necessary activities.
• Resource Optimization: By strategically inserting lags, project managers can ensure that resources are available when needed and avoid resource bottlenecks.
• Opportunity Exploitation: Leads can be used to take advantage of opportunities or favorable conditions that arise during the project.
• Dependency Management: Leads and lags help manage dependencies between activities, ensuring that the project flows smoothly and activities are coordinated.

Using Leads and Lags Effectively

To use leads and lags effectively in project management, consider the following guidelines:

• Analyze Dependencies: Thoroughly analyze the dependencies between activities to determine if leads or lags are required.
• Consider Constraints: Take into account any constraints or limitations that may impact the sequencing of activities.
• Consult with Stakeholders: Discuss the use of leads and lags with project stakeholders and obtain their input and agreement.
• Document and Communicate: Clearly document and communicate the use of leads and lags in project plans and schedules.
• Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor the impact of leads and lags on project performance and adjust as necessary.
• Use Software Tools: Utilize project management software that supports lead and lag functionality for accurate scheduling and tracking.

Definition of PMP Lead Time

Successor activities rely on the previous activity in a network diagram. Lead time activities will begin before the previous activity is completed.

Example: Coding might start 5 days before the design finishes.

For this first example, we will examine a product development project. The engineering process may begin before the product design process has completed. The engineering team will build the base foundation for the product so that the design team can then give their input on the layout. Ultimately this will allow the project to go faster as the team will not have to wait for the design to be completely finished before beginning preliminary engineering steps. This allows for the client to submit change requests more easily and get the project approved far before the deadline.

Conclusion

Leads and lags are essential terms in project management that play a crucial role in managing dependencies, optimizing project schedules, and mitigating risks. By understanding the concepts of leads and lags and applying them effectively in your projects, you can improve project outcomes, ensure better coordination between activities, and achieve project success. Take the time to analyze dependencies, consider constraints, and consult with stakeholders to determine the appropriate use of leads and lags in your project plans. With careful planning and execution, you can leverage these important PMP terms to enhance your project management skills and drive project success.

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