Task dependencies

Many tasks do not exist by themselves, especially in corporate environments and team-oriented work. These tasks are part of task sequences such as projects, processes, and operations. (For the purpose of this training material, I use the term task sequence to denote a project, a process, an operation, or any path thereof.) They may begin only when other tasks are complete and certain conditions are met. They depend on other tasks for information and collaboration.

There are two kinds of dependencies. For the purpose of this training material, I will call them internal and external dependencies. If all the tasks in a task sequence are performed by the same individual or members of a close-knit team, these tasks have internal dependencies only. If any task in a task sequence is performed by someone outside of the close-knit team, the tasks have external dependencies. This definition is only to show that we have control over internal dependencies but no control or very limited...