I'd like to get your opinion on how you think, intuitively, 'lag' on a depency between two tasks works or should work. To make my point I will start with some examples that are no problem, and hopefully when I get to the one that my question is about, it will demonstrate where the disagreement between me and my collegue is :)
Let say we have two tasks, A and B, and B can only start one week after A is finished:
This is, I think, not controversial.
Now a variation: B should start 1 week before A will finish.
This is not controversial either, I think.
Now a bit more complicated: B should end at the same time A ends (end->end relationship).
Now we come to the point where I disagree with my collegue. When there is lag between when A ends and B ends, how should the sign of the lag be interpreted? E.g.:
or
To explain in words: do you think, intuitively, that the 'direction' (in time) of lag between two tasks depends on the type of relationship (end->start and start->start go 'forward' in time, start->end and end->end go 'backward') or should a 'positive' lag always go forward in time?
Edit:
(replaced ascii art with screenshots because it doesn't seem to work on IE)