In a network diagram, what are the positions that indicate the start and finish times of tasks referred to as?

In a network diagram, the positions that indicate the start and finish times of tasks are referred to as nodes. Nodes represent specific points or events in the project timeline and are critical for visualizing the sequence and duration of tasks. Each node typically displays information such as the earliest start time, earliest finish time, latest start time, and latest finish time. This allows project managers to assess how tasks interlink and to identify potential scheduling conflicts.

The other concepts mentioned serve different purposes. Total float refers to the amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the overall project timeline. The critical path is the longest sequence of tasks that determines the shortest time possible to complete the project and highlights tasks that cannot be delayed without impacting the project finish time. Network analysis is a broader term that encompasses various methods and tools used to study and optimize network diagrams, but it does not specifically refer to the positions within the diagram itself. Hence, the term “nodes” is the appropriate answer when discussing the specific locations in a network diagram that indicate start and finish times of tasks.