Set Task Dependencies for Improved Project Management

Set Task Dependencies for Improved Project Management

Task dependencies refers to the relationship between tasks, where the start or finish of one task relies on the start or finish of another. These dependencies are crucial for the successful completion of a project, as they help to ensure that all tasks are completed in the correct sequence.

Types of Dependencies

Finish-to-Start (FS):

The successor task can be opened only after the predecessor task is completed.

Example: The testing task can be opened only after the development task is completed.

Start-to-Start (SS):

The successor task can start once the predecessor task starts.

Example: Once the building foundation task starts, the plumbing installation task can also start.

Finish-to-Finish (FF):

A predecessor task can be completed only after the successor task is completed.

Example: Proofreading of a report task can be completed only after the content writing task is completed.

Start-to-Finish (SF):

The successor task can be completed only when the predecessor task starts.

Example: Shutting down the old server task can be completed only after the new server setup task starts.

Set Task Dependencies

Set task dependencies in Zoho Projects from the List view, Gantt view and from task details page.

For example, in a software development project. The UI Design task needs to be completed before the Frontend Development task can start. Frontend Development must be completed before QA Testing starts.

To set task dependencies from the List view:

Open your project tasks in the List view and navigate to the Frontend Development task. Scroll to the Predecessors column for this task and search for the UI Design task or enter its Task ID, then press Enter/Return to add it as a predecessor. Repeat this process for the QA testing task to add the Frontend Development task as predecessor.


To set task dependencies from the Gantt view:

Open your project tasks in the Gantt view. In the Gantt chart, navigate to the tasks UI Design and Frontend Development. To set a dependency, click and drag from the end of the UI Design task bar to the start of the Frontend Development task bar. This action visually connects the tasks, indicating that Frontend Development task cannot start until UI Design task is completed. Repeat this process to connect Frontend Development task to QA Testing task.


To set task dependencies from the Task details page:

Open the Frontend Development task details page. Scroll down to the Dependency section and click on Add Predecessor. Search for the UI Design task name or enter its details, then press Enter/Return to add it as a predecessor. Repeat this process for the QA Testing task, to add Frontend Development as its predecessor.




Refer here to learn more about setting task dependencies.

If you have any questions, do leave a comment below or mail to us at support@zohoprojects.com.

    Access your files securely from anywhere

        Zoho Developer Community







                                  Zoho Desk Resources

                                  • Desk Community Learning Series


                                  • Digest


                                  • Functions


                                  • Meetups


                                  • Kbase


                                  • Resources


                                  • Glossary


                                  • Desk Marketplace


                                  • MVP Corner


                                  • Word of the Day



                                      Zoho Marketing Automation
                                              • Sticky Posts

                                              • Tip 37: Time Log Restriction in Zoho Projects

                                                Timesheet in Zoho Projects helps you big time in entering log hours for the tasks and issues and approving them. Now, with the new Time Log Restriction option, you can set daily and weekly log hour limits. You can restrict users from entering extra log hours than the permissible limit. The limits are restricted to 24 hours per day and 168 hours per week by default based on business hours. To customize, navigate to Task & Timesheet settings under Portal Configuration in Zoho Projects setup and enable
                                              • Rename Task Module To Suit Your Project

                                                Task Module in Zoho Projects gives a comprehensive view of all the action items, known as Tasks, across all projects. However, different industries may use alternative terminology for similar processes, which might not always be recognised when labelled
                                              • Project Billing with the Staff Hours Method in Zoho Projects

                                                The Staff Hours Billing Method in Zoho Projects allows you to bill your clients based on the actual time spent by each team member on a project, at the rate set for each user. This is useful for projects where different skill sets are needed and service
                                              • Achieve Full Financial Control by Tracking Both Cost Budget and Budgeted Hours

                                                Zoho Projects now supports tracking budget with both Cost Budget and Budgeted Hours simultaneously across all modules (Based on Project, Phase, Task, or User). Why Track Both? Tracking both cost budget and budgeted hours provides a more holistic view
                                              • 🎉 Celebrate Zoho Projects’ 18th Birthday with Us! 🎉

                                                Hello Zoho Projects Community, We’re thrilled to announce that Zoho Projects is turning 18 today! To mark this milestone, we’re hosting a special AMA (Ask Me Anything) event starting at 3 PM IST today and running until 3 PM IST tomorrow. This is your


                                              Manage your brands on social media



                                                    Zoho TeamInbox Resources

                                                      Zoho DataPrep Resources



                                                        Zoho CRM Plus Resources

                                                          Zoho Books Resources


                                                            Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                                                              Zoho Projects Resources


                                                                Zoho Sprints Resources


                                                                  Qntrl Resources


                                                                    Zoho Creator Resources



                                                                        Zoho Campaigns Resources


                                                                          Zoho CRM Resources

                                                                          • CRM Community Learning Series

                                                                            CRM Community Learning Series


                                                                          • Tips

                                                                            Tips

                                                                          • Functions

                                                                            Functions

                                                                          • Meetups

                                                                            Meetups

                                                                          • Kbase

                                                                            Kbase

                                                                          • Resources

                                                                            Resources

                                                                          • Digest

                                                                            Digest

                                                                          • CRM Marketplace

                                                                            CRM Marketplace

                                                                          • MVP Corner

                                                                            MVP Corner





                                                                              Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                              Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                              Get Started Now