A dependency will occur when an output from one piece of work or project is needed as compulsory input for another project or piece of work. A Project Managers must be able to plan and manage the dependencies among tasks in their projects they are going have successful outcomes. The more difficult a project is, the more dependencies there will be among project tasks that must be planned for.
What is Project Dependency?
- A project dependency is a task, milestone or activity is dependent on another task or milestone being completed before it can start or be completed.
- Dependency is something that must be a grant to enable a project’s delivery and these must be identified and tracked as they will impact on project success.
- Sometimes dependencies form a key part of workload prioritization during the program and are a basic agenda item for any meetings and decision-points. As such, they must be consistent with all other aspects of the plans, projects, and programs.
- Sometime dependencies may be items that are being delivered from elsewhere, and that may not be directly under the control of a project manager.
- The dependencies record will capture where the project is dependent upon and what they should present and when.
- It is possible for a project to have inter dependencies. But sometime within the same project, it is dependent on each other.
- The other type of dependency is external. Where the dependency is on a different project, program, or even business as common.
- Project dependencies determine the links, and the type of links, between all the tasks of a project.
- Project managers manage project dependencies as risks.
Project Dependency Types:
Understanding the types of dependencies inherent in the work that needs to be completed is one of the most important elements of creating a strong project schedule.
- Mandatory Dependencies
- These are dependencies that are logically driven e.g, a code module cannot be tested until after it’s written.
- Resource-based Planning Dependencies
- These are dependencies where the task could be accomplished faster or sooner if you had more resources.
- Discretionary Dependencies
- Discretionary are the tasks that could be scheduled differently, but the Project Manager chooses to schedule this particular order.
- External Dependencies
- These are dependencies that are outside the control of the project team, but nonetheless, must be reflected in the project schedule.
- These are the examples of external dependencies include completion of a project plan that is linked to the completion of a milestone within another project.
Dependency Log:
- Unique reference to identify dependency.
- Description to briefly describe the dependency.
- Enabling project name which delivers the task or plan.
- Task description details of the exact task that must be delivered.
- Dependent programmed name which needs the task to be delivered.
- Dependent details of the task that needs the delivery.
- Delivery date of dependency that must be delivered by to not cause a delay independent
- The probability that dependency will not be met in the required
- Effect of dependency not being delivered in a required
- Status of dependency whether open or closed, etc.
- The owner who owns the dependency
- Date raised.
