Predecessors & Successors

What are Predecessors & Successors?

Predecessors help you build out project timelines by defining relationships between Tasks — so when one Task changes, the others update automatically.

• A Predecessor controls when its linked Successor can start or finish
• A Successor depends on the schedule of its Predecessor

This helps you build logical, connected Timelines, especially for complex projects.

How to Create Predecessor / Successor Links

1. Create Predecessor from the Gnatt:

2) Fine-Tune with Double-Click

• Double-click a Timeline Item to open the side panel
• Go to the Predecessors/Successors tab
• Click the green + button to add a link
• Click Update to save the relationship

2. Create Predecessor from the Table:

1. Add Durations First

To use Predecessors, Tasks must have durations.

1. In the Timeline, enter a duration for the first Task.
2. It will appear on the Gantt from the project start date.

2. Create Predecessors via the Column

1. In the Predecessor column for a Task, type the row number of the Task it depends on.
2. Hit Enter — this automatically links the two Tasks and moves your cursor to the next row.
3. Repeat to build a chain of dependencies quickly, without using drag-and-drop.

3. Change Durations and See the Impact

1. Update the duration of an early Task (e.g. change from 1d to 3d).
2. All dependent Tasks will shift forward automatically.

Use Undo to revert and see the timeline reset.

4. Add Multiple Dependencies

1. In the Predecessor column, separate multiple row numbers with a semicolon (e.g. 3;4).
2. The Task will now depend on all listed Tasks.
3. Changing any of the upstream Tasks will impact this Task’s schedule.

5. Break a Predecessor Relationship

If you manually override a Task’s start date:

1. Either edit the start date directly or drag the Task on the Gantt.
2. A warning will appear — confirming that this breaks the Predecessor relationship.
3. Click Proceed to break the link.

Note: You can break links from either the Predecessor column or the Gantt.

6. Set Dependency Types

By default, Predecessors are Finish to Start (FS) — the most common type.

You can also manually enter other dependency types:

• 3FF → Finish to Finish
• 3SF → Start to Finish
• 3FS → Finish to Start (default; can be left as just 3)

These change how the timing between Tasks is calculated.

7. Add Lag Time

Lag time lets you insert a delay between dependent Tasks.

1. After the dependency, type +X (e.g. 3+4) to add a lag of 4 days.
2. The dependent Task will now start 4 days after its predecessor finishes.

Summary

The Predecessor column is a fast, powerful way to control your project timeline:

• Quickly build and link Tasks
• Handle complex dependencies
• Adjust timing without touching the Gantt

Use it to keep your Projects running smoothly — with all dates staying in sync.