What is 'lag time' in the context of scheduling?

Lag time refers to the intentional delay between the finish of one task and the start of another dependent task in a project schedule. This concept is crucial for understanding how the timing of activities can affect the overall timeline of a project. When lag is introduced, it means that even though the first task has been completed, there is a waiting period before the second task can commence. This delay can significantly impact the project's total duration because it extends the time before subsequent tasks can begin.

In project management, lag time can be necessary for various reasons, such as allowing for the cure time of materials, or to accommodate logistical issues. Understanding lag time helps planners and schedulers to create realistic and achievable timelines, ensuring that resources and tasks are aligned optimally in relation to dependencies.

The options that describe techniques to accelerate task completion, ways to plan resources, or the total time required to complete a project address different aspects of project management but do not specifically define lag time, which focuses on the waiting period between dependent activities.