On collaborative projects, some work cannot begin until other work is done, and it is easy to lose track of which task is waiting on which. Task dependencies define the relationships between tasks that rely on each other, so the order in which activities need to be performed is clear to everyone on the project.

Rocketlane notifies you about dependent tasks so that you can schedule your tasks accordingly.

Before You Start

• Available to every account: finish-to-start dependencies, where the successor task starts after the predecessor finishes.
• Setting required for more types and lag: start to start, finish to finish, start to finish and lag become available once an admin turns on Additional dependencies in Settings > Automations > Workflow management. The setting applies to all projects and templates in the account.
• Plan: the Additional dependencies setting is available on the Premium and Enterprise plans, and to accounts that have it as an add-on.
• Permission: to add or remove dependencies, your role needs the Can create dependencies task permission. Without it, the add controls are disabled or hidden.

Dependency Types and Lag

Finish to start covers work that strictly queues. Work that overlaps needs more. A design task that can begin once build begins, or a review that cannot close until testing closes, are relationships that finish to start cannot express. Rocketlane supports four dependency types:

Lag adds a waiting period, in days, to the relationship. For example, a finish-to-start dependency with a lag of 2 days means the successor starts 2 days after the predecessor finishes.

Turn On the Additional Dependency Types

An admin turns on the additional types and lag for the whole account:

1. Select your profile icon, then select Settings.
2. Go to Automations > Workflow management.
3. Under Additional dependencies, select Enable additional dependencies such as Start to Start, Finish to Finish and Start to Finish for all projects.

   

Once the setting is on, the Dependency type and Lag fields appear wherever you add a predecessor, in both projects and templates, and the Predecessors column is available in the Timeline view.

Mark Dependent Tasks From the Task Pane

1. Go to Projects and select the project where you want task dependencies.
2. Select the task that you want to create dependencies for.
3. In the task pane, go to Dependencies and select Add a blocking task. If Additional dependencies is turned on and the task has no dependencies yet, the option is named Add predecessor.
   
4. Choose the predecessor task from the list of tasks in the project.
   • If Additional dependencies is off, search for the task and select it. The dependency is added as finish to start.
   • If Additional dependencies is on, the Add predecessor tasks for drawer opens. Select the Predecessor, select the Dependency type, and optionally enter a Lag in days. To link another predecessor, select Add another predecessor. Then select Done.
   
5. The task is added to the list of dependencies. When Additional dependencies is on, the list also shows the Dependency type.
   

To remove a dependency, hover over the dependent task and select the x (Remove).

Add Dependencies Using the Timeline View

Drag Between Tasks

1. Go to Projects and select the project where you want task dependencies.
2. Go to the Timeline view.
   
3. Drag from the end bubble of the predecessor task to the beginning bubble of the successor task.
   
4. To remove a dependency, hover over the connection line and select it once it turns red. In Delete dependency?, confirm the change.
   
   

Use the Predecessors Column

When Additional dependencies is turned on, set the type and lag from the Predecessors column:

1. In the Timeline view, select the Predecessorscell for the task you want to link.

   

2. In Add predecessor tasks for, select the Predecessor.
3. Select the Dependency type. Finish to start is selected by default.
4. Enter the Lag in days, if the successor should wait after the predecessor.
5. To link another predecessor, select Add another predecessor.
6. Select Done.

Multiple Task Dependencies

A task can depend on several tasks. From the task pane, add each predecessor to the list of dependencies.

From the Timeline view, drag from the end bubble of each predecessor task to the beginning bubble of the successor task.

Receiving Email Notifications for Dependent Tasks

When a predecessor task is marked Completed, the assignee of the successor task receives an email asking them to get started on it.

FAQ

Why Can't I See the Dependency Type or Lag Fields?

They are hidden until an admin turns on Additional dependencies in Settings > Automations > Workflow management. If you cannot find that setting, your account is not on the Premium or Enterprise plan and does not have it as an add-on. Tasks can still be linked with finish-to-start dependencies.

Why Can't I Turn Off Additional Dependencies?

Something is still using it. Rocketlane blocks the change while any active project or template uses one of the additional types or a lag. Remove those dependencies first, then turn the setting off.

Do These Types Work for Phases as Well as Tasks?

No. Phases support finish-to-start dependencies only.

What Happens to the Successor's Dates When I Add a Dependency?

Rocketlane adjusts them to respect the relationship. If the change would move tasks in other phases, it asks you to confirm first and shows what will move.

Summary

• Every account can link tasks with finish-to-start dependencies, from the task pane or the Timeline view.
• Start to start, finish to finish, start to finish and lag need Additional dependencies turned on in Settings > Automations > Workflow management (Premium and Enterprise plans, or as an add-on).
• Lag is entered in days and cannot be negative. Phases support finish to start only.
• The setting cannot be turned off while projects or templates still use the additional types or lag.
• The successor's assignee gets an email when a predecessor is marked Completed.