Choosing the correct task dependency is easier than you think
Each task has a start and finish, so there are four types of task dependencies: finish-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-start, and start-to-finish.
In most projects, most (90% or more) dependencies are finish-to-start (FS). When one task finishes, it triggers the start of the next, like when cooking dinner is finished, eating dinner begins (assuming you don’t sneak bites while you’re cooking). That means you’ll check if FS is the right one first.
For the rest of your task dependencies, finish-to-finish (FF) is probably the one you need. This means, the finish of one task controls when the other task finishes. Hauling trash away from a job site doesn’t finish until construction is complete.
Start-to-start (SS) and start-to-finish (SF) don’t show up often. Start-to-start can cause problems if the predecessor task runs late. And start-to-finish simply doesn’t arise very often.
The bottom line: You almost always use two of the four dependency types. To learn more about dependencies, check out my Project Management Foundations: Schedules course or see how to create dependencies in my Learning Microsoft Project course.
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