Cross-project dependencies are designed to give project managers full visibility and control over how external factors influence their schedules. Once a dependency has been created and accepted, there are several ways you can monitor and manage it.

View Dependencies in the Schedule

Once a dependency is linked, each project’s Gantt view will display the connected task from the other project. This allows both project managers to clearly see where dependencies exist and how those relationships affect the timeline.

The dependent task appears with a visual cue (purple background), and any changes in dates are reflected so that impacts can be assessed immediately.

In the example below, the schedule for the Digital Marketing Campaign project shows the dependency that it has on the New E-Commerce Website Development project and the project manager can see when the task the project is dependent on is planned to be completed.

The New E-Commerce Website Development project schedule displays the project that is dependent on the completion of the Go-Live & Launch task. This ensures that the project manager is aware of the impact any delays to their project may have.

This visibility is especially useful when planning or replanning your schedule, as it allows you to spot timing risks and conflicts early.

Respond to Changes

If a linked task in the other project changes its start or end date, you will be notified automatically. These notifications are triggered based on the type of dependency (e.g., Start-to-Start or Finish-to-Start) and include the following:

• Start date change in the target task (Start-to-Start dependency): The declaring project is notified that its dependent task may be impacted.

• End date change in the target task (Finish-to-Start dependency): The declaring project is notified that the start of its dependent task needs to be rescheduled.

• End date change in the declaring task (Finish-to-Start (Reverse) dependency): The target project is notified that the start of their task needs to be changed.

These notifications allow both sides to evaluate the impact and make necessary schedule adjustments in a timely way, helping you stay aware of potential scheduling impacts.

As a project manager, this gives you the opportunity to:

• Reassess your own schedule in light of the change.

• Use the Replan function to adjust downstream dates based on the new timing.

• Decide whether to shift other tasks to maintain alignment.

• Communicate the impact to stakeholders.

Manage Dependencies in the Impacts Section

Because cross-project scheduling dependencies are treated as impacts to your project timeline, they are also tracked in the Impacts section of your project workspace. They sit alongside other key control elements like risks, issues, and changes.

From the Impacts section, you can:

• View all active dependencies.

• Monitor their status and dates.

• Reclassify or escalate them as needed by using the Promoted flag.

This centralises project risk and dependency management, helping PMOs maintain oversight across complex programmes with multiple interrelated projects.