How do we define a dependency so it can be managed?
Vague dependency recordDescribe the needed output, supplying owner, receiving work, required date, and readiness evidence. A department name or general statement is not enough to coordinate delivery.
What to do now
- Name the specific required input
- Identify supplying and receiving owners
- Agree date and acceptance evidence
- Track forecast changes and impact
When to escalate
Escalate when
The supplier has not accepted a critical required commitment.
Who decides
The accountable integration or dependency owner
Example
The dependency states that a tested service account must be available before integration testing begins.
Mistake to avoid
Writing depends on IT without specifying what IT must provide.
Prevent a repeat
Verify dependency completion with the consuming team and test the integrated outcome early enough to act.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Tasks
- Documents
- Projects
Keep dependency owners, required evidence and dates with linked work records, confirming supported link behavior in the current build. See the platform
Related cases
- We discovered a dependency late in the project. How do we assess it?Hidden dependency
- Our project depends on an external approval date we cannot control. What should we do?External decision uncertainty
- How do we define supplier acceptance criteria before signing?Unclear commercial verification
- The vendor's proposal is vague about deliverables. What should be clarified?Ambiguous supplier scope