I have often wondered of the difference between having a duration and an estimated duration in MS Project.
Apart from the question mark indicator next to the duration (as an indicator), is there any other benefit or difference between the two?
I mean does project take this into account for calculating schedules?
Best Answer
It is simply that, estimated. When you don't know how long the task will take you "estimate" the duration. Otherwise, it is a known duration. Project does take it into consideration when calculating schedules. It can also be good tool to help manage unknown task timing.
Microsoft article about Estimated (task field):