Create cross-project predecessors
A cross-project predecessor is a task that another task (called a successor task) in another project depends on. The predecessor is the task that takes priority over the dependent (successor) task. For example, you can create a dependency that requires that the predecessor task be marked Complete before the dependent task can start.
۶Ƶ Workfront allows for tasks to be dependent on tasks in other projects, just as it allows predecessors within a single project.
When linking projects through cross-project predecessors, the dates of the primary project (the one that has the predecessor task) will impact the secondary project (the one that has the successor task).
For more information about predecessor relationships, see Overview of task predecessors.
Access requirements
You must have the following access to perform the steps in this article:
| table 0-row-2 1-row-2 2-row-2 3-row-2 layout-auto html-authored no-header | |
|---|---|
| ۶Ƶ Workfront plan | Any |
| ۶Ƶ Workfront license* |
New: Standard Or Current: Plan |
| Access level | Edit access to Tasks and Projects |
| Object permissions | Manage permissions to the tasks and the projects |
*For more detail about the information in this table, see Access requirements in Workfront documentation.
Create a cross-project predecessor
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Go to the task that will be your successor (dependent task).
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Click Predecessors in the left panel. You might have to click Show More, and then Predecessors.
note tip TIP Your Workfront or group administrator could remove the Predecessors section or other sections from the left panel. -
Click Add Predecessor.
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In the Parent Project field, begin typing the name of the project that contains the task that you want to be the predecessor to your current task.
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Click the name when it appears in the drop-down list.
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In the Tasks field, begin typing the name of the task that you want to be the predecessor to your current task.
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Specify the following information for defining the relationship between the predecessor and dependent task:
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Dependency Type: Select the relationship that you want the predecessor task to have with the dependent task. The default relationship is “Finish-Start,” meaning that the predecessor task must finish before the dependent task can start. For more information about the various dependency types, see Overview of task dependency types.
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Lag: Specify the amount of time that must pass after the completion of an enforced predecessor until the dependent task can begin. For more information about the various types of lag, see Lag Types overview.
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Enforced: When this option is selected, dependency relationship between the two tasks cannot be circumvented by users beginning tasks early. For example, if you enforce a relationship between Task A and Task B, Task B cannot be started until Task A is complete. For more information about enforcing predecessors, see Enforce predecessors.
When this option is not selected, the dependency is treated like a suggestion to users. For example, users are able to start Task B before Task A is complete.
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Click Save.
Tasks that have a cross-project predecessor display the reference number of the project the predecessor belongs to and the number of the task, separated by a colon, in the Predecessors column on a task list.
The predecessor icon turns green when the predecessor task is marked complete. This signals that the dependent task is ready for work.
Hover over this value to get more information on the predecessor, the project, and the dates. Click the cross-project predecessor in the details box to open the task.
Click near the top of the hover window to see more information about the predecessor’s project.
Click See Project to open the predecessor’s project.
note tip TIP The See Project option displays only when viewing a cross-project predecessor.