The Gantt Chart bars are also now linked with the appropriate Start-to-Start arrow. Notice how the abbreviation ‘SS’ is added to the tasks in the Predecessor and Successor columns. In Figure 6 below, the dependency has been changed to Start-to-Start without any lag. Figure 5: Double Clicking on the Gantt Chart Task Dependency Arrow to Change the Default Dependency and to Add Lag in Microsoft Project The Task Dependency Settings will pop-up for the two connected tasks. To change the task dependency type, simply double click on the linking line between the two Gannt chart bars of the tasks. Figure 4: Two Linked Tasks in Microsoft Project The default finish-to-start (FS) dependency is created between the two tasks. The arrow will change according to the type of dependency selected. Also note the arrow added between the two Gannt chart bars. You will notice that task 4 (Review Project Statement of Work) now has a 3 indicated in the Predecessors column and task 3 (Review Contract) now has a 4 indicated in the Successors column. Figure 3: Finding the Task Link Button in the Task Tab and Schedule Ribbon in Microsoft Project Go to the Task tab, and under the Schedule ribbon section, click on the Link button. All the tasks will now be linked with the default FS dependency. TIP: If you have a list of tasks and they will all be completed sequentially, you can highlight all the tasks and click the link button. Figure 2: Highlighting Two Tasks to Link in Microsoft Project Another way is to drag over the two tasks when the mouse pointer changes to an arrow pointing to the right. Select the first task and then hold down the ctrl key and select the second task. Figure 1: Inserting the Successor Column in the Gantt Chart View In Microsoft Project Option 1: Clicking the ‘Link’ buttonĮnsure the predecessor column is visible and if it helps, add the successor column (Figure 1 below). The durations for the tasks have been arbitrarily selected. In the examples below, I have used the standard PMI Process template that is available in Microsoft Project.
The four types of dependencies are Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, Start-to-Finish, Finish-to-Finish. The default task dependency that Microsoft Project uses is a Finish-to-Start relationship. It is important to understand the different task type dependencies.
There are multiple methods that can be used to link tasks and this can be done as you develop your project plan or it can be done afterwards. In order to show the critical path of your project, you will need to add predecessors to the corresponding tasks.
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