Mandatory vs Discretionary Project Management Dependencies (2024)

FAQs

Mandatory vs Discretionary Project Management Dependencies? ›

Conclusion. In short, mandatory dependencies are inherent in the nature of the work and cannot be changed. In contrast, discretionary dependencies are based on the preferences or best practices of the project team and can be changed if necessary.

The project management team determines which dependencies are internal during the process of sequencing the activities. Why isn't it both? "Mandatory dependencies are those that are legally or contractually required or inherent in the nature of the work."

Hard logic dependencies are also known as mandatory dependencies. These dependencies are usually legally or contractually required. They can also be directed by company procedures or physical limitations.

What is a mandatory dependency? In project management, a mandatory dependency is one that's a non-negotiable requirement. Sometimes referred to as hard logic, this type of dependency means that the next task can't be started until the previous one has been completed.

Mandatory dependencies are inflexible and must be followed, while discretionary dependencies are more flexible and can be adjusted as needed.

An example of a discretionary dependency is if you have two tasks that need to be completed, but the order in which they are completed does not matter. I.E., we will paint the house's siding before we paint the trim of the home.

A common example of a mandatory dependency is when building a house. The foundation must be laid before the walls can be built, and the walls must be built before the roof can be installed.

A discretionary dependency is one that isn't based on a "have to", but on a "should". These decisions are usually based upon best practices, business knowledge, etc. They are placed on the project diagram where the team members would like them to occur.

What is the difference between discretionary dependency and mandatory dependency in project planning and scheduling? ›

Determination of mandatory dependencies in the process of sequence activities is undertaken by the project management team. The program's limitations in the scheduling tool should not be mistaken with mandatory dependencies. Discretionary dependencies may be known as preferred logic, preferential logic, or soft logic.

Mandatory dependencies are sometimes called soft logic or preferred logic. They can and will change during a project lifecycle and/or as your PMO and project teams develop a deeper understanding of the projects you work on and get better data.

Discretionary dependencies, also known as preferential or soft logic, are a type of dependency in project management. They are used to indicate that one task is preferred to be completed before another, but it is not absolutely necessary.

A discretionary project is one that requires the exercise of judgement or deliberation by a public agency in determining whether the project will be approved, or if a permit will be issued.

A mandatory internal dependency is often a physical or legal constraint to the start of project activity. A discretionary internal dependency is a choice by the project team according to factors such as cost, the availability of employees, or best project management practice.

Types of dependencies

The most common dependency relationship is a finish-to-start relationship. Task P (predecessor) must be finished before task S (successor) can start. The least common relationship is the start-to-finish relationship.

Typically, the Project Manager is responsible for dependency management. If the organisation has a PMO, the services of the PMO can be enlisted to facilitate and manage external dependencies whilst the Project Manager manages internal dependencies.

Ensuring everyone in the team knows the dependencies and how they affect the project helps. By being open and honest with one another, team members can identify dependencies early on, prioritize them, plan for them, decrease risks, collaborate with stakeholders, communicate across teams, and find solutions to issues.

A mandatory dependency is one that “must be” carried out at a particular time. It is usually requirement of some kind based on contracts, laws, company procedures, physical limitations, etc.

Definition of Dependency Determination. A technique used to identify the type of dependency that is used to create the logical relationships between predecessor and successor activities.