Managing Predecessors in the Gantt Chart View

This article will walk you through how to create dependencies between tasks by using Predecessors.  Start with the video below:

Predecessors specify the relationships between project tasks and indicate when a task should begin or end in relation to other tasks. 
 

Predecessor relationships can be created either by:

• Populating the Predecessor Column (see article on Creating Dependencies with Predecessors)
  • By manually entering a value in the Predecessor Field
  • By editing the Task Information
     
• Defining Predecessors within the Gantt Chart 
   

As you create Project Tasks and specify their Duration, Start and Finish Dates, Inspire Planner automatically plots them in the Gantt Chart.

Example of Gantt Chart with Predecessor Connections between Project Tasks

Understand Predecessor Types

Inspire Planner supports the four (4) common types of dependencies:

• Finish to Start (FS),
• Start to Start (SS),
• Finish to Finish (FF), and
• Start to Finish (SF)
   

Finish to Start (FS)

Finish-to-Start predecessors are the most commonly used type of dependency. When a Finish-to-Start predecessor is used to connect two tasks, this means that Task B cannot start before Task A is finished. The image below shows an example of a Finish-to-Start type of predecessor.
 

Start to Start (SS)

When a Start-to-Start predecessor is used to connect two tasks, this means that both tasks start at the same time. However, these tasks can finish at different points in time. The image below shows an example of a Start-to-Start type of predecessor.
 

Finish to Finish (FF)

When a Finish-to-Finish predecessor is used to connect two tasks, this means that both tasks finish at the same time. However, these tasks can begin at different points in time. The image below shows an example of a Finish-to-Finish type of predecessor.
 

Start to Finish (SF)

Start-to-Finish relationships are the least commonly used in project planning. When a Start-to-Finish predecessor is used to connect two tasks, this means that Task A cannot finish until Task B starts. The image below shows an example of a Start-to-Finish type of predecessor.  The image below shows an example of a Start-to-Finish type of predecessor.

Define Predecessors in the Gantt Chart

Defining predecessor relationships between Project Tasks in the Gantt Chart is done by either:

• Drawing a line between Project Tasks, OR
• Populating the Predecessor Information for Tasks on the Gantt Chart

Drawing a Line between Project Tasks

You can define predecessor relationships by drawing a line between Project Tasks to connect them.

Finish to Start (FS)

To create a Finish to Start type of predecessor between two tasks, simply hover over Task A until you see two circles appear on each end. Then draw a line from the end of Task A to the start of Task B.

Start to Start (SS)

To create a Start to Start type of predecessor between two tasks, simply hover over Task A until you see two circles appear on each end. Then draw a line from the start of Task A to the start of Task B.

Finish to Finish (FF)

To create a Finish to Finish type of predecessor between two tasks, simply hover over Task A until you see two circles appear on each end. Then draw a line from the end of Task A to the end of Task B.

Start to Finish (SF)

To create a Start to Finish type of predecessor between two tasks, simply hover over Task A until you see two circles appear on each end. Then draw a line from the start of Task B to the end of Task A.

Populating the Predecessor Information for Tasks on the Gantt Chart

You can also define predecessor relationships between Project Tasks by populating the predecessor tab.

1. Double click on the task bar in the Gantt Chart. If you are defining predecessor relationship between Task A and Task B, you would double click on the bar for Task B.
   
   
    
2. A Task Information window will open. Go to the Predecessor Tab and click on Add.
   
   
    
3. From the dropdown menu, select the task you would like to connect it to.
   
   
    
4. Then, double click on the Type field and select the predecessor relationship type.
   
   
   If there is lag time between the tasks, enter the lag time in days under the Lag column.
    
5. Once you've populated the predecessor information, click on Apply.
   
   

Specify Lag or Lead Time

You can add Lag or Lead time to any of your tasks in the Gantt chart. To do so, simply double click on the orange square connecting the tasks.

You can then define the lag or lead time in days. Use the up and down arrows to adjust the value. Click on Ok when finished.

The value in the Predecessor column for the task will also reflect the lag/lead time you specified.