In project management, a dependent is the relationship between two or more tasks whereby the start or completion of one work affects another. Project activity sequencing and guaranteed appropriate workflow management depend much on dependencies.
Types of Dependencies:
- Finish-to-Start (FS): Task B cannot begin until Task A is completed. (e.g., foundation must be laid before building walls).
- Start-to-Start (SS): Task B starts only after Task A begins. (e.g., design and coding in software development).
- Finish-to-Finish (FF): Task B must finish at the same time as Task A. (e.g., editing and proofreading a document).
- Start-to-Finish (SF): Task A must start before Task B can finish (rare).
Example:
A content writer must complete a blog draft before the editor can begin proofreading (Finish-to-Start dependency).
Project Impact:
Managing dependencies effectively prevents bottlenecks, reduces delays, and ensures smooth project execution.
