Task Dependencies in Microsoft Project

98% of Microsoft Project users have never tried to completely understand the dependency types. In this video I'll show you how the work and give you some tips on how to try them out yourself.
If you prefer the blog article, here's the step by step and explanation
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[@yolindabaquero8092]

Thank you for a very clear and easy to follow explanation! 🙏

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Thank you for that very kind comment, and for watching my KZbin videos! I'm glad that my video helped you.

[@DanTaylor-f9k]

Love your videos, Dale. Is there a way you can view a specific dependency chain clearly? I know you can get the tasks in a chain to highlight.. But say for example you have a master project, with multiple sub projects. There are over 7k tasks in the whole project. Is there a way you can pick one task, and easily view the whole dependency chain for that item without it keeping the noise of all the other tasks? Appreciate every thing you do, Dale!

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Thanks for the question and thanks for watching my KZbin videos! From your question, it sounds like you already know about the Task Path feature in Microsoft Project. It is a shame that Microsoft implemented this feature by changing the Gantt bar color of Predecessors, Driving Predecessors, etc. instead of filtering to show only the tasks in question. If that feature does not work for you, you might want to try out the Project VBA macro referenced in the following blog post article: www.thepmoprofessionals.com/2018/08/03/trace-predecessors-and-successors-in-ms-project/ Those are the only options I am aware of that might be able to address your needs. Hope this helps.

[@vicbridgland4463]

Great video, nicely explained. I have a question. Is it possible to to set a dependency mid way through a task or at the end of the first section of a split task. i.e. The plumbing takes 6 weeks but the electrics can only start two weeks after the start of the plumbing so the electrics are dependent on the first two weeks of the plumbing being completed. Thanks in anticipation.

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

No, there is no way to set a dependency mid way through a task or at the end of the first section of a split task. In your situation, the best you can do is to set an "approximate" dependency on the two tasks using Start to Start with 10d of Lag time. Hope this helps.

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Forgot to thank you for watching my KZbin videos!

[@jieliu6175]

Great stuff! Thanks a lot!

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Glad you liked it! And thanks for watching my KZbin videos.

[@safix_0734]

Wonderful 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Thanks for that very kind thought and for all of those "thumbs ups!"

[@cticeh]

Just one question does the lead & lag in tasks impact trying to identify the critical path? Excellent video as always thanks.

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Good question. No, adding Lag time or Lead time to a task dependency does not impact the Critical Path. Thanks for asking!

[@cticeh]

Ok thanks Dale so my last question in your opinion when I have a delay from one task starting on another is it better to use the lag or constraint type "Start No Earlier Than" as you've demonstrated in your other video?

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Well, it depends. During the task planning stage of the project, if you know that there needs to be a "gap" between a Predecessor task and a Successor task, such as waiting for the delivery of equipment or supplies, then use Lag time on the dependency. On the other hand, if a Successor task needs to start on a specific date, such as something mandated contractually, then use a Start No Earlier Than constraint. In the first scenario, this will not impact the Critical Path, assuming both tasks were Critical tasks. In the second scenario, however, this would impact the Critical Path because the SNET constraint would create Total Slack greater than 0 days on the Predecessor task. In the second scenario, this is not bad at all; it is just Microsoft Project's response to the SNET constraint. Hope this helps.

[@cticeh]

Perfect, it helps a lot thanks so much Dale.

[@laibabibi7610]

Thanks 👍

[@DaleHowardProjectMVP]

Well, you are more than welcome, my friend! Thanks for watching my KZbin channel. :)