

You can open each Microsoft Project data file (MPP) using the desktop application. Begin by opening all relevant projects within Microsoft Project. Open all relevant projectsĬreating a cross-project dependency involves at least two projects, although you may have more that you want to use. Here are some steps on how to create a cross-project dependency: 1. Related: What Are Project Deliverables? Types and Example How to create cross-project dependencies

Project managers use a cross-project dependency, rather than an inter-project dependency, when one project has a task that depends on another task in a different project. This means a task in one project depends on a deliverable in another project before it can start or end.

inter-project dependencyĪ cross-project dependency involves tasks between different projects, while an inter-project dependency, or a soft link, relies on a project's deliverables. Many project managers define their cross-project dependencies early in the planning stage to maximize efficiency. This means that one task relies on another task before it can begin or conclude. A project manager sets up cross-project dependencies to make specific tasks between projects dependent on one another. Related: 10 Effective Project Management Techniques What are cross-project dependencies?Ĭross-project dependencies, or hard links, are links between two different projects within Microsoft Project.

In this article, we define cross-project dependencies, explain how they differ from inter-project dependencies, provide steps for how to create a cross-project dependency and share best practices for creating them. Learning how to create a cross-project dependency can allow you to link tasks, which may better ensure your team can complete production. These cross-project dependencies can help users complete multiple projects more efficiently. In Microsoft Project, a user-created task within one project sometimes depends on a task in a different project to successfully achieve its goals.
