task

A task is a unit of work that must be completed to achieve a goal. It is typically defined by a specific outcome, a deadline or duration, and an owner responsible for its completion. In everyday use, tasks are the actionable items that make up work and activities.

In project management, tasks are the building blocks of plans. They are organized in structures such as a work breakdown structure, assigned to individuals or teams, and tracked through statuses like not started, in progress, or completed. Attributes commonly include description, owner, priority, due date, effort estimate, and dependencies.

In computing, a task can denote any unit of work scheduled for execution. In operating systems, a task may correspond to a process or thread that the CPU executes. Applications use tasks to represent asynchronous work, background jobs, or steps in a workflow. Tasks can be independent or constrained by dependencies or deadlines.

Task management refers to the methods and tools used to capture, assign, plan, monitor, and complete tasks. Techniques such as to-do lists, kanban boards, and project management software help coordinate work, track progress, and optimize resource use.

While the specifics vary by domain, the core idea remains: a task is a discrete unit with a defined outcome that advances a larger objective, requiring clear ownership, timing, and visibility.