

For the successful delivery of a project, the understanding of project dependencies is vital. I have spent several years managing complicated projects, and I can say that the reason for the failure of the projects is due to mismanaged dependencies. Understanding how tasks connect and influence each other helps project managers avoid delays that are expensive to carry out and keep the project on schedule. Whether you are in a PMP certification training or already managing projects, mastering dependency management is key to your success.
While project dependencies can be easy to understand, what may be more complicated are the strategies for managing and classifying them. In this guide, you will learn all that you can about the various elements of project dependencies along with strategies for their effective management. By the end of this guide, you will be adequately prepared to identify and manage all the dependencies that you may encounter in your various project environments.
A project dependency illustrates the relationship between tasks of the project, whereby one of the tasks is dependent on another to either start or finish the task. A project can be illustrated using the example of a series of dominoes. When one domino is positioned to be knocked over, that will trigger multiple other dominoes to fall. The dominoes represent the workflow of the project and also represent the timeline the project will take to complete.
Every project has dependencies. You don't instantly paint a wall, and you certainly don't start a marketing campaign before your content has been created. These dependencies define how projects progress. Familiarity with these dependencies allows for a realistic timeline, better resource allocation, and improved stakeholder communications.
Of any project management plan, the task relationships mapping requires the most meticulous attention. Identify these relationships and dependencies and your project scope becomes a plan, a path with guide rails.
This is the most common type of project dependencies and the most encountered. Here, Task A must finish in order for Task B to start. Approximately 80% of all project dependencies fall into this category and are grouped in this fashion.
Examples:
FS dependencies are my default for these reasons, and with most people, they are intuitive and cause less ambiguity and confusion, especially within teams.
Task B can't start until Task A has begun. Both tasks are in a parallel run, but one, Task A, must first be completed.
Practical Uses:
This type can provide schedule compression with parallel work streams.
Task B cannot be completed until there is a completion of Task A. These dependencies guarantee synchronized completions.
In a number of cases, this is true:
This type of dependency is ideal when you need synchronized completions across multiple streams of work.
This is the most uncommon type of dependency. Task B cannot be completed until Task A starts. I've primarily used this type of dependency in the handover of shifts and just-in-time situations.
Some examples of this are:
In addition to the four types of dependencies, there are further distinctions for how you handle the different types of dependencies. It is essential knowledge for anyone calibrating for the PMP exam prep.
| Category | Control Level | Flexibility | Risk Factor | Management Approach |
| Logical | High | Low | Low | Follow the sequence strictly |
| Resource-based | Medium | Medium | Medium | Optimize allocation |
| Preferential | High | High | Low | Review regularly |
| External | Low | Low | High | Build contingencies |
These are relationships that are non-negotiable by the nature of the work. Task B cannot be performed before Task A. There are physical restrictions, regulations, or technical requirements that create these dependencies.
I always start with logical dependencies because they provide the backbone of your project. Missing these is very likely to lead to the project failure
When two tasks need the same resource, which could be a person, piece of equipment, or material, there is a resource dependency. Only one of the tasks can utilize that resource at a given time.
Common scenarios:
Here, the key resource is optimization. Sometimes adding resources, as discussed in Techademy's PMP certification course, eliminates these dependencies completely.
These are based on shown best practice, team preferences, or soft requirements. An editor could prefer to review content prior to formatting, but in truth, formatting could happen first without any issues.
I regularly challenge preferential dependencies. Sometimes they are outdated habits that slow your project and cause unnecessary delays.
The factors beyond your control are called external dependencies. These include vendors, necessary approvals, adverse weather, delivery delays from third parties, and so on. Since you are unable to fully manage these factors, they represent your highest risk.
The following are some risk mitigation strategies:
Understanding risk factors helps manage external dependencies.
The longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the duration of your project is called the critical path. Any delays that occur in critical path tasks mean your project will balso e delayed. I rely on CPM a lot to mark out for me the dependencies which need the most focus.
The Advantages of CPM:
Anything that prohibits task completion is called a blocker, which can be internal (a member of the team is not available to complete the task) or external (vendor fails to deliver on time). Recognizing blockers is a means of shortening the duration of your project.
To assist in minimizing the duration of each task, I conduct daily check-ins to identify all of the blockers early. The earlier they are identified, the quicker they can be addressed.
Consider starting to map dependencies as early as the initial planning stages. Use the entire planning team for this; they know the details of the work better than anyone. Use the project management tool to help document this activity.
Here are the fundamental steps:
During project execution, keep monitoring dependencies. As the project evolves, dependencies will shift. Make sure to have status meetings often and have everyone on the team discuss the dependencies and challenges they have at that moment.
Use the following communication strategies:
Current project management software can help you keep track of the dependencies. Some software allows you to visualize the dependencies in different ways. Use the tools that best align with the workflow of the team.
Preferred techniques for visualization include:
To measure the effectiveness of your management of dependencies, use the following key performance indicators:
Additional metrics for assessing the success of your project can be found in the guide to project management KPIs.
Employing project dependencies alters the way you construct and manage your projects. Consider beginning with the current projects you are working on and identifying the types of dependencies you are working with. Create a visual map of these dependencies and share it with your team. A greater understanding of these relationships will lead to a greater payout during execution. Better results will be a direct outcome of your effort. Whether you are working towards your PMP certification or handling complicated projects, these skills are critical to your success as a project manager.
Shashank Shastri is a PMP trainer with over 14 years of experience and co-founder of Oven Story. He is an inspiring product leader who is a master in product strategies and digital innovation. Shashank has guided many aspirants preparing for the PMP examination thereby assisting them to achieve their PMP certification. For leisure, he writes short stories and is currently working on a feature-film script, Migraine.
QUICK FACTS
While dependencies describe the relationships between tasks, constraints describe the limitations on your project, which could be budget, time or resources. While dependencies define your workflow, constraints define your boundaries.