Scheduler Tools › External Dependencies

External Dependencies

You can create dependencies between tasks that are not in the same project. An external dependency occurs between two different projects that are not linked by a common master project. The external task is listed in the plan, but unavailable for editing. You cannot edit the external task from the project in which it is referenced. External constraints are fixed. Scheduling does not change the behavior of external tasks.

Note: An internal dependency occurs between projects referenced from a common master project such as when you insert subproject tasks into a project. Tasks are listed in the plan are available for editing just like any another task.

You can insert dependencies into an open project without having to open the project from which the dependent relationship is created:

• In Open Workbench, you can insert dependencies by browsing for them.
• In Microsoft Project, you can insert dependencies by typing the file name and task ID of the dependent task. You must have both files open in Microsoft Project to create the external dependency.

  Note: See the Microsoft online help for more information.

No special rights are required to insert an external dependency into a project or to view linked tasks in your plans.

When a project with external dependencies is open in the scheduler tool, all external tasks are retrieved with their task-level attributes and their external dependencies. No other information is retrieved.

• In Microsoft Project, the task ID of the external dependency is displayed as the [Project Name]\[Task ID]. For example, wireless_upgrade\5.
• In Open Workbench, the external dependency by default is placed in the plan before the task when the dependency is inserted as a predecessor, or after the task when it is inserted as a successor. You can modify dependent relationships of a task by editing its task properties.

  Note: See the Open Workbench User Guide for more information.

When you save a project with external dependencies, external tasks are updated as needed.

More information:

About External Project Dependencies