Activities with Multiple Dependencies

You can set one or more dependencies on a successor activity. Each of these dependencies can consist of different types, such as an end-to-end dependency with a predecessor activity along with an end-to-start dependency with another predecessor activity. Each dependency can yield different effects on the successor's start and end dates. The system sets the successor dates and duration based on the predecessor activity that drives the successor dates to the latest date.

Example One of a Successor Activity with Multiple Dependencies

Activity Duration Start Date End Date

Functional Design

10 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 12 (Friday)

Usability Design

2 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 2 (Tuesday)

Develop

15 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 19 (Friday)

Dependency Relationship Dependency Type Activity Duration Start Date End Date

Predecessor

 

Functional Design

10 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 12 (Friday)

Predecessor

 

Usability Design

2 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 2 (Tuesday)

Successor

  • End-to-Start on Functional Design

  • Start-to-Start on Usability Design

Develop

15 days

June 15 (Monday)

July 3(Friday)

The Functional Design and Usability Design activities are both predecessors to the Develop activity, However, the system uses the Functional Design activity end date to determine the Develop activity start and end dates. The next working day after the Functional Design activity end date drives the Develop activity dates to be later than if it was driven by the Usability Design activity start date.

Example Two of a Successor Activity with Multiple Dependencies

Activity Duration Start Date End Date

Functional Design

10 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 12 (Friday)

Usability Design

2 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 2 (Tuesday)

Develop

15 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 19 (Friday)

Unit Test

7 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 9 (Tuesday)

Dependency Relationship Dependency Type Activity Duration Start Date End Date

Predecessor

 

Functional Design

10 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 12 (Friday)

Predecessor

 

Usability Design

2 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 2 (Tuesday)

Predecessor

 

Develop

15 days

June 1 (Monday)

June 19 (Friday)

Successor

  • End-to-Start on Functional Design

  • Start-to-Start on Usability Design

  • End-to-Start on Develop

Unit Test

7 days

June 22 (Monday)

June 30 (Tuesday)

The system uses the Develop activity to determine the Unit Test activity's dates. The end date for the Develop activity drives the Unit Test activity dates to be later than the Functional Design activity end date and the Usability Design activity start date.