BACKWARDS SCHEDULING Meaning and
Definition
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Backwards scheduling refers to a project planning technique where the completion date or delivery date of a project is determined first, and then work is organized and scheduled in reverse order from that date. It is a method used to determine the start dates and deadlines for individual tasks or activities within a project to ensure the project is completed on time.
In backwards scheduling, the final deadline is set and then the project is broken down into smaller tasks or activities. Each task is then assigned a duration and dependencies are identified to determine the order in which the tasks should be executed. By working backwards from the final deadline, the start dates for each task are determined based on how long it will take to complete the task and the dependencies in the project.
This scheduling technique is particularly useful when there are fixed completion dates or delivery dates that must be met. It allows project managers to plan the sequence of tasks required to complete a project within the desired timeframe. Backwards scheduling also helps in identifying critical paths and bottlenecks in a project, allowing for better resource allocation and time management.
Overall, backwards scheduling is a project planning approach that starts from the desired project completion date and works backwards to determine the start dates for individual tasks, ensuring that the project is completed on time.
Etymology of BACKWARDS SCHEDULING
The word "backwards scheduling" is a compound term formed from the word "backwards" and the word "scheduling".
The term "backwards" is derived from the Middle English word "bakward", which combines the roots "bak" meaning "back" and "ward" meaning "toward". The word "scheduling" originates from the Late Latin word "schedula", meaning "a small sheet of paper". It was derived from the Medieval Latin term "schedula", which refers to a written document.
Therefore, "backwards scheduling" is a term that describes the act of planning or organizing activities or events in reverse order, starting from a set end date and working backward to determine the necessary steps and deadlines.
