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Plan Development: Logical Relationships/Dependencies
Quick Summary
This is the third of a series of six templates for project plan development, following task creation and resource assignment.
What this is
This is the third of a series of six templates for project plan development, following task creation and resource assignment. This template illustrates the process for identifying task dependencies, and provides a table for capturing these dependences. This process should be done before the scheduling process, as it often leads to some repartitioning of the tasks in the work breakdown. Though software scheduling tools have powerful graphical interfaces for entering and managing tasks dependencies, doing an initial manual pass at high-level dependencies may actually help you repartition the tasks more efficiently, before durations and dates add another level of complexity to the plan.
Why it's useful
Engaging in an dependency discussion is the logical next step after the tasks are defined because this often has a major impact on the task definition and breakdown. It also acts as a communication stimulus among the team to better understand their inter-relationships and dependencies. Dependency work usually results in some repartitioning of the tasks, so this process may be done iteratively with the preceding work breakdown efforts.
How to use it
Record task dependencies by either by using the table below, the table in the Plan Development – Task Assignment and Deliverables table, or in a graphical tool such as a flow charter or scheduling tool. If using a scheduling tool, try to avoid assigning durations and dates during the initial identification of task dependencies. Focus instead on the work sequence and its logical flow as tasks build upon each other and integration into the higher levels.
Plan Development: Task Identification and Work Breakdown 
Identify project tasks and develop a work breakdown structure.
Plan Development: Task Assignment and Deliverables
Track the assignment of project tasks to individual owners, along with the deliverable description and effort required.
Plan Development: Task Duration
Process for estimating and assigning task durations.
Plan Development: Project Scheduling and Critical Path
Checklist of project scheduling activities.
Plan Development: Optimizing Tradeoffs
Optimize a project plan after the first pass base schedule has been developed.
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