Project management involves many tasks that may be individual or interrelated. This is why managers have to ensure their completion in different ways. Project dependency plays an integral role in the management of interlinked tasks. If you’re looking to learn more about it, your search ends now. Here is everything you need to know about it.
Project dependency is referred to as a series of tasks related to one another and their sequence. It helps managers handle and schedule different tasks while keeping order in mind.
For instance, if task B cannot be finished unless task A has been done, then it means that B is dependent on A. This may seem simple to you, but things can become complex during company projects. That is because mapping out everything consumes time and requires effort.
A key thing to note is that there are many types of project dependencies. Not only that, but two activities may apply to a situation at one time.
Why Is Project Dependency Needed?
Here are the top reasons why a company requires project dependencies:
1. Helps With Planning
A project dependency helps a manager determine the order of tasks done within a project. This helps with planning in many ways as different priorities are maintained. Besides that, it aids with the scheduling of tasks.
2. Allows To Create A Timeline
A vital feature of a project dependency is that the sequence of tasks is built. This helps the managers to determine how long completing each one will take. Because of this, an entire timeline for the project can be easily made.
3. Helps With Identifying Resources
Since the tasks that must be completed are known in a project dependency, it helps identify resources. A manager can determine what things are needed to complete the tasks. Besides that, it also helps them to tackle future scheduling issues.
4. Enables Task Monitoring
Project dependency helps the seniors know the timeline of the overall project and individual tasks. This means that they can track the progress easily using the estimates. Not only that, but they can improve their speed by seizing various opportunities.
Project Dependency Types
Here are some of the different project dependency types:
1. Logical Dependency
In the project management world, this is also called a causal dependency. Typically, this type is an integral part of a project and cannot be avoided. In this category, the outcome of a previous task is used as the starting point of a new task.
2. Resource Dependency
This typically takes place when two tasks require the same resources for finishing. Thus, they are dependent on the completion of another task.
3. External Dependency
A key thing to note is that some things can go out of control no matter how much planning project managers do. This is because of uncontrollable external factors. When such a factor presents itself, an external dependency is formed.
Final Thoughts
That was all you needed to know about project dependencies. They refer to different tasks that are interrelated. Project managers can use their sequence for managing various tasks with ease.