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Actual Duration

The elapsed calendar time from the moment an activity actually starts to the project’s data (status) date if it is still underway, or to its actual finish date if it has been completed.

Key Points

  • Measured in calendar units (e.g., days or weeks), not effort hours.
  • Begins at the activity’s actual start; ends at the data date if in progress or at the actual finish if complete.
  • Grows with each status update until the activity is finished.
  • Compared with planned and remaining duration to evaluate schedule performance.

Example

An activity begins on January 5 and finishes on January 14. The Actual Duration is 10 calendar days (Jan 5–Jan 14). If on January 12 the activity were still in progress and the project’s data date were January 12, the Actual Duration at that time would be the calendar time from Jan 5 to Jan 12.

PMP Example Question

Which statement best describes Actual Duration for a schedule activity?

  1. The time scheduled between the planned start and planned finish dates.
  2. The calendar time from the actual start to the data date if in progress, or to the actual finish if complete.
  3. The total labor hours expended by team members on the activity.
  4. The forecasted time needed to complete the remaining work.

Correct Answer: B — Calendar time from actual start to the data date or actual finish

Explanation: Actual Duration measures elapsed calendar time based on what has actually occurred, not planned dates, effort hours, or forecasts.

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