Inter Project Predecessors

Adding a New Link

In addition to being able to create links between tasks in the same project, this feature allows you to create links between projects and the tasks within different projects. Changes to the dates in one project can be set to automatically reschedule the tasks in a different project.

• Click Add to open the Add Predecessor window.

• Select the project you wish to link to and click Select Project.

• In the task dropdown select the task or choose LINK DIRECT TO PROJECT to link from the task to the whole project
• Select the type of link
• If there is to be a gap between the start/end of the task you are linking from and the start/end of the task you are linking to, enter the number of days in the lag field
• If you check Elapsed, the lag will be set in actual days. If you leave it unchecked, the lag will be set in working days
• Click Add

If you would like to choose a different project, click Re-Select Project.

Creating Links in the Gantt

The easiest way to create Inter-Project Predecessors is to use drag-and-drop from within the Gantt.

To create a link:

• Open the Gantt for the programme that contains the projects you want to create links between
• Expand the tasks for the two projects by clicking the arrow next to the project name
• Click on the task or project you want to link from
• Hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor to the project or task you want to link to
• Release the left mouse button

A link will be created between the projects. If rescheduling of tasks is enabled in the project you linked to, the tasks in that project will be adjusted to reflect the new predecessor.

Editing an Existing Link

You can edit an existing link by right clinking on the link between the tasks/projects.

Click SAVE to confirm your changes or DELETE to remove the link.

Types of Links

Project to Task

Project 3 Complex is linked to Project Closing in Project 2 – Simple. 

If the end date of Project 3 Complex changes, the start date of Project Closing will change.

Task to Project 

Project Closing in Project 2 - Simple is linked to Project 3 – Complex.

If the end date of Project Closing changes, the start date of Project 3 – Complex will change.

Project to Project

Project 2 - Simple is linked to Project 3 - Complex. 

If the end date of Project 2 - Simple changes, the start date of Project 3 - Complex will change.

Task to Task

Project Closing in Project 2 – Simple is linked to Complete Project Idea in Project 3 Complex. 

If the end date of Project Closing changes, the start date of Complete Project Idea will change.

In both the Gantt and the Work Breakdown Structure, the tasks are colour-coded.  However, the colours indicate different things depending on whether you are viewing Colour by Slack or Colour by Status.