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.

    • Sticky Posts

    • Time Log Reminder

      Tracking the time spent on tasks and issues is one of the most important functions of a timesheet. However, users may forget to update the time logs because they have their own goals to achieve. But, time logs must be updated at regular intervals to keep
    • Introducing the Zoho Projects Learning Space

      Every product has its learning curve, and sometimes having a guided path makes the learning experience smoother. With that goal, we introduce a dedicated learning space for Zoho Projects, a platform where you can explore lessons, learn at your own pace,
    • Update on V2 API End-of-Life Timeline

      Dear Users, Earlier this year, we shared the launch of the V3 APIs and requested users to migrate from the older V2 APIs by December 2025. We have received valuable feedback from our users and partners regarding their migration timelines. We are happy
    • Automation Series: Auto-update Phase Status

      Hello Folks! You can auto-update your phase's status based on status of underlying tasks using custom functions. In this series, we will showcase how to create and run custom functions, using Deluge, with ease. Follow the steps below and automate your
    • Automate Timesheet Approvals with Multi-level Approval Rules

      Introducing Approval Rules for Timesheets in Zoho Projects. With this automation, teams can manage how timesheets are reviewed and approved by setting up rules with criteria and assigning approvers to handle submissions. Timesheet, when associated to
      • Recent Topics

      • Data Processing Basis

        Hi, Is there a way to automate the data processing for a candidate every time an application arrives from job boards, without requiring manual intervention? That is, to automatically acquire consent for data processing. I've seen a workflow that allows
      • Disable Zoho Inventory Tracking / Delink Zoho Books & Inventory

        We have integrated zoho inventory with zoho books? Now after a long time, we want to disable inventory tracking and delink these 2 modules. Zoho says we cant do it. Anybody else going thru the same ? Any possibility at all? Why does zoho not allow to
      • Zoho vault instal on windows

        I am trying to use Zoho Vault Desktop for Windows, but I am unable to complete the sign-in process. Problem description After logging in to my Zoho account and clicking Accept on the authorization page, nothing happens. The application does not proceed
      • ZOHO GLITCHES

        Ok, you guys have done a great job at building a platform that has the potential to surmount the competition but these glitches are becoming more than frustrating! This is beyond annoying, I'm trying draft lawsuits and type up privacy and refund policies
      • Please, make writer into a content creation tool

        I'm tired of relying on Google Docs. I'm actually considering moving to ClickUp, but if Writer were a good content creation tool instead of just a word processor, I would finally be able to move all my development within the Zoho ecosystem, rather than
      • Notification to customers when I use a Zoho function

        Hi all, I tried searching the community but couldn't find anything about it. I noticed that the customer receives the notification of reopening the old ticket but does not receive the notification of opening a new ticket when I use the function: "separate
      • Date Filters in Zoho Desk Dashboard

        Hello Team, Currently, in the Zoho Desk dashboard, the date filter is available only for daily, weekly, and monthly views. Could we also add a yearly date filter to allow filtering by an entire year? Additionally, in the custom date filter, it is currently
      • Mobile app - offline

        If I made a couple of forms and my field guys had the mobile app and were somewhere without signal, could they open the app, complete and sumbit a form and have it upload when they are back in signal (we need different info at different jobs and I'm trying
      • Consumption based inventory

        I am currently using Zoho Books for my hospitality business, which includes lodging and restaurant services. We purchase many items in bulk for storage and consumption as needed. I'd like these items to be recorded as inventory when purchased and categorized
      • Zoho Survey reminder settings are extremely confusing

        Hi, I just want to set 3 reminders, one week apart from the first email out. Your form is too confusing and I don't understand. Can you simplify and be more specific regarding the language used on the form ?
      • Zobot drop down list

        Hi, I am trying to create a drop down list in Zobot by creating a plug. I think I am close but I just can't get it over the line and was hoping that someone could help me. I had a little bit of help getting the script started (hence the comments) // Deluge
      • How to compare a subform lookup field that allows multiple entries when edited

        I have a form with a subform with multiple fields. One of the fields is a lookup field that allows a multi select. On edit validation, I want a workflow to execute only when the entries in that subform field has changed. The old. function is not working
      • Translation of Tooltip Messages

        The descriptive help messages should be available to provide translations for.
      • Function #53: Transaction Level Profitability for Invoices

        Hello everyone, and welcome back to our series! We have previously provided custom functions for calculating the profitability of a quote and a sales order. There may be instances where the invoice may differ from its corresponding quote or sales order.
      • Business Day Logic Update: More Accurate Scheduling for Your Workflows

        Hello everyone, We’re improving how business-day calculations work in workflows, especially when triggers happen on weekends. This update ensures that offsets like +0, +1, and +2 business days behave exactly as intended, giving you clearer and more predictable
      • Lead Blueprint transition in custom list view

        Hi, Is It possible to insert the Blueprint transition label in a custom Canvas list view? I am using Lead module. I see the status, but it would be great if our users could execute the Blueprint right from the list view without having to enter the detailed
      • Email Notifications not pushing through

        Hi, Notifications from CRM are not reaching my users as they trigger.  We have several workflow triggers set up that send emails to staff as well as the notifications users get when a task is created for them or a user is tagged in the notes.  For the past 6 days these haven't been coming through in real time, instead users are receiving 30-40 notifications in one push several hours later.  This is beginning to impact our daily usage of CRM and is having a negative effect on our productivity because
      • Debit opening balances of vendors

        Dear colleagues: I am looking at the trial balance as on 31st March 2024, and punching opening balances (1st April 2024) in Zoho Books. Vendors have credit balances, by its nature, but some of our vendors have debit balances as well (e.g., we have paid
      • Is there an equivalent to the radius search in RECRUIT available in the CRM

        We have a need to find all Leads and/or Contacts within a given radius of a given location (most likely postcode) but also possibly an address. I was wondering whether anyone has found a way to achieve this in the CRM much as the radius search in RECRUIT
      • Allow Text within a Formula

        Hi, I would like to be able to use this for others things like taking an existing Date Field and copying its value, so by entering getDay(Date)&"-"&getMonth(Date)&"-"&getYear(Date) it results in 01-02-2026. And then when the Date is changed so is this
      • Change Number Field to Decimal Field

        Hi, It would be nice to be able to change the field type without having to delete it and create a new one, messing up the database and history. Thanks Dan
      • Pipeline.Company Name field shows up as numbers! [Bigin Developer Console > Component > URL]

        Hi there, I am setting up to invoke URL to send infromation zoho bigin > zoho forms with company name pre-fill in the form. however when I use : ${Pipelines.Company Name} field it shows up as a string of number instead of words. Help.
      • Add specific field value to URL

        Hi Everyone. I have the following code which is set to run from a subform when the user selects a value from a lookup field "Plant_Key" the URL opens a report but i want the report to be filtered on the matching field/value. so in the report there is
      • How to Move Behavior, Acquisition, Polls & Forms Data from Zoho PageSense to Zoho Analytics?

        Hi Zoho Community, I'm looking for a way to transfer data from Zoho PageSense to Zoho Analytics, specifically: Behavioral data (clicks, scrolls, heatmaps, etc.) Acquisition data (traffic sources, campaigns, etc.) Polls and forms data As far as I can tell:
      • Zoho Social - Feature Request - Non-US Date Format

        Hi Social Team, I have noticed that there is no option to change the date format from US mm/dd/yyyy to others like dd/mm/yyyy. It would be great to see this added as the platform matures. Thanks for considering this feedback.
      • Google Fonts Integration in Pagesense Popup Editor

        Hello Zoho Pagesense Team, We hope you're doing well. We’d like to submit a feature request to enhance Zoho Pagesense’s popup editor with Google Fonts support. Current Limitation: Currently, Pagesense offers a limited set of default fonts. Google Fonts
      • In arattai received message can't be deleted

        The issue has been noticed in following: arattai app (Android) arattai app (Window) arattai web While the message posted by me may be deleted, the ones received from others can't be. The item <Delete> change to <Report> when the message is a received
      • Zoho CRM Community Digest - December 2025 | Part 1

        Hello Everyone! In the first half of December, Zoho CRM rolled out auto-invite for portals, smarter CPQ with Zia suggestions and price rules, and Query Workbench for faster query building. We also highlight other noteworthy conversations you shouldn’t
      • Marketing Tip #15: Rank better with keyword-rich URLs for product pages

        Your product page URL is a small detail that can make a surprisingly big difference. Clean, readable URLs help in two ways: They’re easier for customers to trust and remember (no one likes clicking a link that looks messy or random). They help search
      • Zoho Flow Credits

        Hi , I would like to ask the reason why every time I added plus credit but few days later I will return back to default? (as below I add credit to 3000 but today It change back to 1000) Most important is, when the credit fully used, not any reminder to
      • Custom Module Send Email not filling To automatically after adding Email field also

        I create custom module in zohoCRM but problem is in custom module when i click send email there in popup To is filling automatic its coming empty which i need to manually add an email there. How can I fix it? I already added the Email field there, but
      • Introducing Intake Forms

        We are excited to announce the release of Intake Forms, a new feature in Zoho Contracts designed to make contract requests simple, structured, and efficient. Intake Forms allow organization members to request new contracts through a web form instead of
      • Manage control over Microsoft Office 365 integrations with profile-based sync permissions

        Greetings all, Previously, all users in Zoho CRM had access to enable Microsoft integrations (Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks) in their accounts, regardless of their profile type. Users with administrator profiles can now manage profile-based permissions
      • eIDAS 2.0: What's changed for digital trust in Europe, and where Zoho Sign stands

        Hi there! It's that time of year when many of us get our ducks in a row. A new year often makes us reassess priorities, and for businesses in the EU, it means taking a closer look at how digital identities and electronic signatures work across borders,
      • Directly Edit, Filter, and Sort Subforms on the Details Page

        Hello everyone, As you know, subforms allow you to associate multiple line items with a single record, greatly enhancing your data organization. For example, a sales order subform neatly lists all products, their quantities, amounts, and other relevant
      • Add Israel & Jewish Holidays to Zoho People Holidays Gallery

        Greetings, We hope you are doing well. This feature request is related to Zoho People - please don't move it to zoho one! We are writing to request an enhancement to the Holidays Gallery in Zoho People. Currently, there are several holidays available,
      • Any update on much requested feature, to delete attachments without deleting the e-mail body?

        People have been requesting the ability to delete e-mail attachments without deleting the e-mail for more than ten years now. The latest I see is marked "Working On It" and a year ago it was supposedly being added, see here: https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/community/topic/is-there-a-way-to-delete-mail-attachments-without-deleting-the-text
      • How to delete attachments form Zoho mail accounts

        I can't find a way to delete attachments from Zoho mail messages, either individually or in bulk. Searches here are providing conflicting results and often talk about workspace, whereas I am only interested in how to delete attachments that are seen with
      • Unable to fetch ticket by custom field value

        I'm trying to set up a Flow to fetch a ticket based on a custom field value. This seems like it should be pretty straightforward, but it's not working for me. I keep getting an error saying Zoho Desk says "Extra query parameter 'cf_creator_record_id'
      • Zoho Books is now integrated with Zoho Checkout

        Hello everyone,   We're glad to be announcing that Zoho Books is now integrated with Zoho Checkout. With this integration, you can now handle taxes and accounting on your payment pages with ease.   An organization you create in Zoho Checkout can be added to Zoho Books and vice-versa. Some of the key features and benefits you will receive are:   Seamless sync of customer and invoice data With the end-to-end integration, the customer and invoice details recorded via the payment pages from Zoho Checkout
      • Next Page