Risk-based Dependency in Planning Dependent Tasks

Dependencies between tasks can be set by identifying risks that surround these tasks. Risk-based task dependency means that two or more tasks which are impacted by common risks can be linked to a sequence of dependent activities. This approach allows project managers to use risk management as a prioritized process in managing their projects and tasks.

Task dependency established by related risks is good for projects in which risks can be clearly identified and described. Risk analysis is the basic tool for setting task dependency. A project with vivid risks includes a clear hierarchy of interrelated tasks and activities. On the contrary, a project with undefined and concealed risks has hardly planned and unclear dependencies between its tasks.

Risk-based dependency between tasks in a project can be identified and established by taking these steps:

• Identify tasks and activities that execute the project
• Perform risk analysis to identify threats and uncertainties that have an impact on the project
• Describe identified risks by these parameters: Type (Positive or Negative), Likelihood, Impact
• Figure out which tasks are impacted by risks
• Identify what risks are common to tasks
• Categorize tasks by common risks
• Identify interrelationships between tasks in each category
• Define execution sequence for interrelated tasks in each category
• Establish dependencies between task categories
• Develop a remediation plan for common risks
• Create a remediation plan for the rest (non-common) risks
• Design a contingency plan that must ensure success of the project in case both remediation plans are failed.

CentriQS Task Dependency Solution CentriQS lets users set "Finish-to-Start" task dependency when depending task cannot begin until dependent-on task is completed. As soon as predecessor-successor relationship between the tasks is set, successor task gets state 'Blocked' with reason 'By predecessor' and only after predecessor is done, successor gets unblocked. Assigned users can get notifications both when their tasks get blocked and unblocked.