Create Task Dependencies

You can create dependencies between tasks in the same project or in different projects using the Task Dependencies page. You can view a list of all of the tasks in the current project on the Select Tasks page. The Project field displays the name of the current project.

You can create dependencies between tasks in the same project or between tasks in different projects. You can only create one dependency at a time for a task, but a task can have dependencies to many tasks.

As with task constraints, Autoschedule uses task dependencies to help determine a work sequence for the project. Task dependencies allows you to designate a successor or predecessor task for a task and to indicate the type of relationship you want the tasks to have.

Example

You could indicate that the "Object Design" task must complete one day before the "Object Integration" task can begin. Autoschedule would consider this dependency and any other dependencies and constraints during autoscheduling.

To create task dependencies

  1. Open the task for which you want to create a task dependency.

    The Task Properties page appears.

  2. Select the Dependencies subtab.

    The Task Dependencies page appears.

  3. Click New.

    The Select Tasks page appears.

  4. Filter the list by the name of the project associated to the task to which this project is dependent.

    The tasks assigned to that project display in the list.

  5. Select the task with which you want to create a dependency, and click Next.

    The Task Dependency Properties page appears. The task you selected is identified on this page as the dependent task.

  6. Complete the following fields:
    Relationship

    Defines the relationship between the current task and the task you selected. If you want the task you selected to precede the current task, select Predecessor. If you want the task you selected to secede the current task, select Successor.

    Values: Predecessor, Successor

    Default: Predecessor

    Type

    Use this field to define the type of relationship you want to have between the two tasks.

    Values: Finish-Finish, Finish-Start, Start-Finish, and Start-Start

    Default: Finish-Start

    Example: If you select predecessor as the relationship and Finish-Start as the type, the predecessor task is scheduled to finish before the successor task starts. Alternatively, if you select successor as the relationship, and Finish-Finish as the type, the successor task is scheduled to finish before the predecessor task finishes.

    Lag

    Identifies the lag period between the two tasks.

    Default: 0.00

    Example: Assuming a Finish-Start type of relationship, you could create a lag period of 5 days between the finish date of the predecessor task and the start of the successor task.

    Lag Type

    Use this field to indicate the type of lag you want to exist between the dependent tasks.

    Values: Daily or Percent

    Default: Daily

    Example: If you enter 5 as the lag and daily as the lag type, a lag of 5 days is created. A lag time percent is based on the duration of the predecessor task. For example, if the duration is 100 days, and you enter 20 as the lag and percent as the lag type, for a lag of 20% of 100 days, a lag period of 20 days between the tasks is created.

  7. Click Submit.

    The Task Dependencies page appears displaying the newly created dependency.

More information:

Task Relationships and Dependencies

Display Task Relationships and Dependencies

Edit Task Dependencies

How to Manipulate the Gantt View

Finish-Start Dependency Links

Autoschedule

How to Create Key and Milestone Tasks