Project-related vacation planning is a special way of scheduling leave that aims to integrate the needs and requirements of a specific project or work commitment into an employee's leave period. This means that leave is scheduled so that it does not interfere with, or at least has minimal impact on, ongoing projects or work commitments. Vacation scheduling is done with the established time frame of the current project in mind. It is often critical that the employee be present during critical phases or milestones of the project.
At the same time that vacation is scheduled, an appropriate substitute for the absent employee is usually determined so that not all employees who are expected to attend certain phases of the project are absent at the same time. Project-based vacation planning therefore requires clear prioritization of tasks and responsibilities to ensure that the most important aspects of the project are covered.