A dependency says one task has to happen before, or together with, another. The Dependencies tab keeps these links in one register and checks the tasks' dates against them. It is part of the Professional plan.
Before you start
Check first
- Both tasks already exist in the Plan
- Both tasks have start and end dates, so conflicts can be checked
- Your company is on Professional, Enterprise or a personal plan
How to add a dependency
- Open the tab
In the project, select Plan, then the Dependencies tab. The page is "Task dependencies".
- Start a link
Select Add dependency. The dialog is "Link predecessor to successor".
- Pick the tasks
Choose the Predecessor task and the Successor task. Each shows its dates.
- Set type and lag
Choose the Dependency type and the Lag in days. A positive lag is a delay, a negative one a lead.
- Save
Add Notes if useful, then select Create dependency.
The four types
- Finish → Start: the successor starts after the predecessor finishes. The most common type.
- Start → Start: the successor starts after the predecessor starts.
- Finish → Finish: the successor finishes after the predecessor finishes.
- Start → Finish: the successor finishes after the predecessor starts.
Reading the register
- The cards at the top count Total dependencies, Cross-workstream links, Date conflicts and the Average lag in days.
- Filter the table by type. Each row shows the predecessor, the successor, the type, the lag and notes.
- A Date conflict badge means the successor's dates break the link. For example, with Finish → Start, the successor starts before the predecessor finishes (plus the lag).
- Use the pencil to edit a link and the bin to delete it.
Good to know
- Dependencies do not move task dates. A conflict is a warning for you to fix in the plan.
- Conflicts are checked for all four types, using the lag.
- Cross-workstream is flagged automatically when you save a link between tasks in different workstreams. Set a task's Workstream in its task form, or bring it in with a plan import. Tasks without a workstream are not compared.
- The Gantt draws every link as an arrow between bars, red when the dates conflict. Hover over it to read why, or use Show dependencies to hide the lines. Select a bar to open its task. See Gantt and milestones.
- Deleting a link asks you to confirm first.
Who can do this
Admins, project managers, functional leads and technical leads can add and edit dependencies. Only admins and project managers can delete them. Everyone on the project can view the register.