Backdated Activities

What it is:
An activity is “backdated” when it’s assigned an actual start or finish date before the previous schedule’s data date, even though it hadn’t appeared or progressed in that earlier update.

Why it’s a Problem:
This rewrites history. It distorts performance tracking, reduces trust, and can cause major audit or contractual issues. Teams lose visibility into what truly happened and when.

Best Practice:
Never retroactively insert actuals. Enter activity progress as it occurs, and ensure updates are done promptly. Maintaining chronological integrity protects both schedule accuracy and stakeholder confidence.