Oracle Projects uses start and finish dates to control processing, indicate estimated and scheduled duration, and serve as tools to evaluate project performance.
The start and finish dates at the project level are:
Actual: Actual dates when work on the project started and finished. You can use these dates to drive future timecard and earned value functionality.
Scheduled: Scheduled start and finish dates for the project.
Target: The expected lifespan of the project.
Estimated: A task manager's estimate of when work on the project will be started and finished.
Baseline: The baselined schedule
Transaction: The transaction start date and finish date control which transactions can be charged the project. You can leave both dates or just the end date blank; you must enter a start date to enter a finish date. See: Overview of Expenditures and Controlling Expenditures.
Note: You will not be allowed to change the transaction dates if a project requirement or assignment is based on that date range.
Some of the project dates can be used as the default dates for team members. See: Team Member Effective Dates.