Chapter 4

The Codependent Nature of Tasks

IN THIS CHAPTER

Bullet Identifying the different kinds of dependency relationships

Bullet Creating dependency links

Bullet Discovering how dependency links affect timing

Bullet Allowing for lag and lead time

Bullet Reflecting the timing of external tasks in your project

Imagine this: If you create a hundred tasks and leave their default constraints so that they start as soon as possible and have no dependencies, all those tasks start on the project start date and occur simultaneously. The project consisting of a hundred tasks takes exactly as long to complete as the longest task.

Wander back over here to reality for a moment. When did you ever have a set of tasks in which not a single task had to be completed before another one could start? Imagine what would happen if you tried to train your employees to use a new piece of equipment before the equipment even arrived.

The reality is that not all tasks in a project start at the same time. To reflect this reality in a Project ...

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