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Scheduling

Lag

In Plain English

A mandatory waiting period built into the schedule between completing one task and starting the next.

Definition

Lag is a scheduled waiting period inserted between the finish (or start) of a predecessor activity and the start (or finish) of a successor activity in a CPM network. It is used to model real-world waiting times such as concrete cure time, approval review periods, or material lead times. Excessive use of lags in a CPM schedule instead of explicit activities is discouraged by scheduling specifications because it obscures actual project logic.

Example

A 7-day lag was added after concrete pours to account for the minimum cure time required before stripping formwork.

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