Task Dependencies

This topic teaches students and community leaders how to technically link activities to build a functional project network. Participants will learn the four standard types of relationships used in professional project management. Mastering these links allows you to see how a delay in one small task can ripple through the entire school or community initiative.

Core Objectives:

• The Four Relationship Types:
  • Finish-to-Start (FS): The most common link. Task A must finish before Task B can start (e.g., Finish digging the hole before you start planting the tree).
  • Start-to-Start (SS): Tasks that can happen at the same time. Task B can start once Task A has started (e.g., Start recording the video while someone else starts setting up the lighting).
  • Finish-to-Finish (FF): Tasks that must end together. Task B cannot finish until Task A is finished (e.g., You can’t finish the final inspection until the cleanup is finished).
  • Start-to-Finish (SF): Rare. Task B cannot finish until Task A starts (often used for shift handovers or security).
• Lead and Lag Time:
  • Lead: Overlapping tasks to save time (e.g., starting to write the report before the data collection is 100% finished).
  • Lag: Inserting a required delay (e.g., waiting 24 hours for concrete to cure before building on top of it).
• Identifying Constraints: Understanding how limited resources (only one ladder, or only one computer lab) create “Resource-Based Dependencies” that force tasks to happen in a specific order.

Key Outcome: By the end of this topic, participants will be able to map out a professional “Network Diagram” for their projects. They will have the technical skill to sequence work efficiently, ensuring that the team is never standing around waiting for a predecessor task that should have been finished days ago.