I would find it extremely helpful if I set a template so that task A should take 4 days to complete, but task A is dependent on task B that should take 7 days.....If task B takes 9 days.....task A should not come due in 2 days, but rather 4 days from that date.
Are you following?
another example:
If Bob can't design a widget until the specs are submitted by Jane(a task dependency) and each have a timeline to finish the task, but Jane falls behind, I'd like to know that it is Jane's task that is behind and not Bob's even though potentially an overdue item shows up for both. It would help to identify bottle necks in processes and allow managers to better allocate resources to those people or departments that are falling behind. Also it would be great if this worked in reverse... if Jane has 2 weeks to finish a task and finishes it in 4 days and Bob's task should take 4 days, I would want him working on it right now, not waiting the 2 weeks that Jane had before he starts.