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Project Management & Agile · Intermediate

Dependency Types

Classification of activity dependencies as mandatory, discretionary, external, or internal.

Definition

Mandatory (hard logic) dependencies are inherent or contractual; discretionary (preferred or soft logic) are based on best practice and can be changed for fast tracking; external involve non-project activities; internal are within the team's control. Attributes combine, e.g., external mandatory.

Example

Pouring a foundation before framing is mandatory; waiting for full UI design before coding is discretionary.

Exam tip

Fast tracking changes discretionary dependencies, never mandatory ones.

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