Tactical goals · Initiatives · Component

The dependency list

What must be in place first, inside or outside the team — usually what determines when the work can actually start.

The deliverable

What it is

Dependency is the field most often left out of business plans and the one that most often determines the real order of work.

The distinction that matters is who can accelerate it. An internal dependency is a scheduling problem; an external one is a risk.

One level in

What it is made of

Each element is a constituent part of the component. Follow one to see the attributes it carries.

  1. The dependencies

    Each thing that must exist or be decided first.

    3 attributes: Dependency · Kind · Owned by

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  2. The timing

    When each dependency is expected, and what it delays.

    2 attributes: Expected · Delay if late

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  3. The status

    Whether each dependency is on track, at risk, or already blocking.

    2 attributes: Standing · Last updated

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A dependency due after the initiative’s own start date is the commonest planning error. Check the dates against each other, not just against today.