Task dependencies are an essential part of project management. They are the interrelations that exist between project activities and determine the order in which project tasks must be executed. Identifying task dependencies is critical for time and task management, as it helps to prevent bottlenecks that can slow down projects and threaten both the project’s schedule and budget.
There are four types of task dependencies that you could come across as a project manager:
- finish-to-start (FS)
- finish-to-finish (FF)
- start-to-start (SS)
- start-to-finish (SF)
FS is the most common type of task dependency, where a task can’t start until its preceding task is finished. FF happens when a task can’t finish until its preceding task is completed as well. SS indicates that there’s a task that can’t start unless its preceding task starts. SF occurs whenever a task needs its preceding task to start before it can finish1.
Task dependencies help project managers to define the sequence of tasks in a project plan, figure out the critical path of tasks, identify required resources, and potential scheduling issues3. By setting task dependencies, project managers can distribute work across different teams and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget4.
In summary, identifying task dependencies is crucial for effective project management. It helps project managers to manage tasks efficiently, allocate resources effectively, and deliver projects on time and within budget.
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MS Project