The document discusses project dependencies, which refer to schedule dependencies where one project activity cannot start or finish until another is completed. There are four types of dependencies: mandatory, which are legally or contractually required; discretionary, which are defined by the project team; external, which involve non-project activities outside a team's control; and internal, between two project activities a team manages. Combinations of these four types can describe dependencies between any two activities.

1. Project Dependencies
DEFINITION, EXAMPLES, AND MORE…
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2. Agenda
• Definition, differences And Examples
• 4 Types of Dependencies
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3. Agenda
• Definition, differences And Examples
• 4 Types of Dependencies
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4. Dependency
• Project Dependencies are better characterized as Schedule Dependencies.
• A Project Dependency simply means that one project activity is dependent on
another activity.
• Project Dependency is different from Logical Schedule Relationship.
• Example
• Consider two activities A and B. If Start of B is dependent of Finish of A, it simply
means that B cannot start until A finishes.
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5. Assumption vs Dependency
• A factor in the planning process that is considered to be true, real, or certain,
without proof or demonstration is called an Assumption.
• A Dependency is between two activities whereas an assumption is about the
work to be done.
• An assumption can be taken with or without a dependency.
• Example
• Consider a scenario wherein the Project Team needs Approval of Design Artefacts
from the Customer. The project cannot move ahead until this Approval.
• Assumption could be that Approval is likely to come within 2 weeks of submitting the
Design Artefacts.
• All subsequent project activities are dependent on Approval (Customer’s activity).
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6. Constraint Vs Dependency
• A limiting factor that affects the execution of a project, program, portfolio, or process
is called a Constraint.
• A project constraint could be related to Scope, Schedule, Budget, Quality,
Resources, and Risks.
• Some of the Schedule Constraints can be represented as Project Dependencies.
• Example
• Consider the same scenario as in the example on the previous slide. Project Team needs
Approval of Design Artefacts from the Customer. The project cannot move ahead until this
Approval.
• Project team has a Constraint (limitation). Project team cannot do anything else without
the Customer’s Approval.
• All subsequent project activities are dependent on Approval (Customer’s activity).
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7. Risks
• Risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or
negative effect on one or more project objectives.
• A Project Risk can impact Scope, Schedule, Budget, and Quality objectives or
any other project objectives.
• A Project Risk can arise because of a Project Dependency.
• Example
• Consider the same scenario as in the example on the previous slide. Project Team
needs Approval of Design Artefacts from the Customer. The project cannot move
ahead until this Approval.
• Risk could be that Customer may not give approval and hence subsequent project
activities would never start.
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8. Agenda
• Definition, differences And Examples
• 4 Types of Dependencies
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9. Mandatory
• Mandatory Project Dependencies are those that are legally or contractually
required.
• They are, sometimes, inherent in the nature of the work.
• Mandatory Project Dependencies are also called Hard Logic.
• Example
• Consider two activities A and B. If B has a Mandatory Dependency on A then it means
action on B cannot be performed until Action on A has been completed. E.g.
• A – Requirements Documentation; B – Client Approval
• A – Lay Building Foundation; B – Construct Floor
• A – Build Car Prototype; B – Perform Crash Testing
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10. Discretionary
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• Discretionary Project Dependencies are defined by the Project Team.
• There could be more than one way to define the sequence between two activities.
• Discretionary Project Dependencies are also called Preferred Logic, Preferential
Logic or Soft Logic.
• Example
• Consider 2 activities A and B. If B has a Discretionary dependency on A then it
means action on B can be performed even before Action on A has been completed.
It can also mean that action on A and B can be independently performed. However,
the Project Team has chosen to make B dependent on A. E.g.
• A – Develop System Module X; B – Develop System Module Y
• A – Furnish Room R; B – Furnish Room S
• A – Book Airline Ticket; B – Buy Insurance

11. External
• External Project Dependencies are defined between a non-project Activity and
a project activity.
• The non-project activities are done by people who are external to the Project
Team e.g. Client, Vendors or any other external groups.
• Generally the Project Team does not have any control over non-project activities.
• Example
• Consider two activities A and B. B has an External Dependency on A. It means B
is a project activity while A is a non-project activity. E.g.
• A – Client Go-Ahead; B – Initiate Project
• A – Delivery of Equipment; B – Start Development
• A – Approval of Building Plans; B – Start Construction
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12. Internal
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• Internal Project Dependencies are defined between two project activities.
• The Project Team, usually, has a good control over project activities.
• Example
• Consider 2 activities A and B. B has an Internal Dependency on A. It means both A
and B are project activities that are performed by the Project Team members. There is
no involvement of any external party. E.g.
• A – Develop System; B – Test System
• A – Construct Wall; B – Paint Wall
• A – Assemble Machine; B – Pack Machine

13. Combination of Project Dependencies
• There are a total of 4 Types of Project Dependencies.
• Two types are applicable at the same time.
• Project Dependency between 2 activities could be any one of the following:
• Mandatory-External
• Discretionary-External
• Mandatory-Internal
• Discretionary-Internal
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