Dependencies and interdependencies are aspects of complex projects that significantly influence project outcomes and overall complexity. They are part of the very definition of complexity, as presented in Chapter 1, Section 1.1.
In project management, dependencies refer to relationships between project elements where one element depends on another, while interdependencies describe the mutual dependency between elements. Understanding these relationships is important for effective project planning, execution, and management.
As mentioned in the first chapter, the definition of dependencies and interdependencies in projects can be traced back to systems theory. As Bar‐Yam (2004) defined, complex systems are characterized by interconnected parts where changes in one component can significantly affect the entire system. In project management, this is related to the relationship between activities, deliverables, human resources, and stakeholders in general, which must be managed to ensure project success.
The dependencies can be divided into:
Mandatory Dependencies: Also known as hard logic, these are inherent to the work and cannot be changed. For example, a foundation must be laid before walls can be built in construction
Discretionary Dependencies: Also called soft logic, ...
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