N

near-critical activity

an activity that has low total float.

network

see network diagram.

network analysis

the process of identifying early and late start and finish dates for the uncompleted portions of project activities. See also critical path method, program evaluation and review technique, and graphical evaluation and review technique.

network diagram

a schematic display of the logical relationships of project activities. Always drawn from left to right to reflect project chronology. Often incorrectly referred to as a "PERT chart."

network logic

see logic.

network path

any continuous series of connected activities that make up a project network diagram.

node

one of the defining points of a network; a junction point joined to some or all of the other dependency lines. Also, the graphic representation of an activity. See also arrow diagramming method and precedence diagramming method.

nonstandard logical relationship

a dependency between two project activities that is not the standard finish-to-start relationship. See logical relationship for the four possible types of relationships.