Task dependencies are one of the more complicated concepts in project management. If you creating schedules for larger projects using advanced tools such as Microsoft Project or Primavera P6, you must be familiar with task relationships. In Project, if you create a task by dragging the pointer on the chart portion of a Gantt Chart view, a Start No Earlier Than (SNET) constraint is set on the task for projects that are scheduled from the start date. For projects that are scheduled from a finish date, a Finish No Later Than (FNLT) constraint is set on the task. When inserting a task among linked tasks, you can have a new task linked automatically or not link it at all.

Start-to-Start dependency is one of the less common task dependencies therefore you may not be as familiar with it and that may be why you have found yourself here reading this article. Not to worry, I can help!

Start to Finish

It is logically possible to paint four walls in a room simultaneously but there is only one painter A lead is when the successor activity starts before the completion of the predecessor activity. This is an advancement and is denoted by the “-” sign. The dependent task can be completed anytime after the task that it depends on begins. The SF link type does not require that the dependent task be completed concurrent with the beginning of the task on which it depends. Imagine a company is in the process of rolling out a new SAP system that is going to be used in all of their global locations. The first question is “Under what circumstances might one need to model a situation where something cannot finish until something else starts?” I’ve asked dozens of schedulers that question over the years and have never found a really good actual live-use example where this relationship is being used. If you have one, I’d love to hear from you.

For example, if you have two tasks, "Dig foundation" and "Pour concrete," the "Pour concrete" task cannot begin until the "Dig foundation" task is complete.The dependent task can be completed at any time after the task that it depends on begins. The SF link type does not require that the dependent task be completed concurrent with the beginning of the task on which it depends. Task dependencies are something which you will likely be familiar with if you are working within projects and using Microsoft Project or Primavera P6. There are however some which are less common than others and therefore may appear more complicated. A Start-to-Start (or SS) dependency means that a successor activity cannot begin before its predecessor has started. They do not however have to start at the same time. These dependencies are common within projects which require their tasks to run parallel to one another. Why is it called “Start-to-Start”?