What is created when a negative number is entered in the Lag field for a Finish-to-Start dependency?

When a negative number is entered in the Lag field for a Finish-to-Start dependency, it creates what is referred to as lead time. Lead time is the amount of time that allows one task to start before its predecessor task has fully completed. In project management, this typically means that instead of waiting for the previous task to finish, you can have the next task begin early, resulting in overlapping activities.

For example, if Task A must finish before Task B can start, and you apply a negative lag to this dependency, Task B can start before Task A is completely done. This enables tasks to proceed in parallel, which can be beneficial for tightening project schedules and increasing efficiency.

The other options do not accurately represent what happens with negative lag. Delay time refers to extending the time between tasks, while float time relates to the total time that a task can be delayed without affecting the project’s finish date. Overlap time is a more informal term that might describe some aspects of simultaneous task execution but is not specifically defined in project management terminology as lead time is. Therefore, recognizing that a negative number in the Lag field for a Finish-to-Start dependency directly translates to lead time is crucial for effective project scheduling and optimization.