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8 Must-Know Project Management Terms

Want to sound like a pro in your next meeting? Here are 8 key project management terms with real-world examples to help you nail your next project:

1️⃣ Critical Path

The sequence of tasks that determines the project’s shortest timeline.

Elon Musk at Tesla: "The battery production line is our critical path – if that slips, everything slips."

2️⃣ Blockers

Obstacles that halt progress until resolved.

Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO): "When teams say ‘We’re blocked’, my job is to remove obstacles, not add more." 🚧

3️⃣ Stakeholders

People invested in your project’s success (clients, team, execs).

Sheryl Sandberg: "Mark and I stakeholder-check every major product change – even small pivots need buy-in."

4️⃣ Kick-off Meeting

The first team huddle to align goals.

Example: NASA’s Mars rover team held a kick-off to define milestones like “land safely” and “find water.” 🚀

5️⃣ Gantt Chart

A visual timeline for tasks (like a project roadmap).

Boeing program manager: "The moment we saw the 787 Gantt chart stretch into 2025, we knew we needed more hands." 📅

6️⃣ Risk Mitigation

Planning for “what-if” disasters.

Example: When Starbucks expanded to Italy, they mitigated risks by testing small pop-up shops before full launch. ☕

7️⃣ Deliverables

Tangible project outcomes.

Example: Netflix’s Stranger Things deliverables included filmed episodes, marketing trailers, and merch designs.🎬

8️⃣ Crunch Time

The final push before deadlines.

Example: Amazon’s Prime Day team works 24/7 to fix last-minute bugs before the big sale. ⏳

Which term do YOU use most?

2025-05-20 09:13 Business English - Language