Everything you need to know about Activity ID in the schedule

Activity IDs aren’t just labels - they’re a quick way to identify scope and type of work. A good ID should be short (6–10 characters), precise, and linked to your WBS levels.

Instead of default IDs like A1000 or overly long descriptions, use a legend system:

• Level 1 (2 digits): Major scope (e.g., CN for Construction, EN for Engineering).
• Level 2 (3 digits): Location or floor (e.g., F02 for 2nd Floor).
• Level 3 (2 digits): Work type (e.g., FN for Finishes, CN for Concrete).
• Auto numbering: Keeps each activity unique.

Example: CN F02 FN20 → Construction, 2nd Floor, Finishes.

This structure makes IDs instantly readable, avoids confusion with descriptions, and keeps your schedule transparent and efficient.

Planners often need to work extensively with many activities at once (e.g., relationships, activity codes assignments, tracking delays and resource assignments).

A proper Activity ID structure allows you to manage your work effectively without checking the WBS for each activity you're dealing with.