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.

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