Question

Jesse asked me to create an imaginary project with at least12 tasks, which include dependent, multiple predecessor, and multiple successor

Answer 1

Task dependencies determine order of completing task or project.

• Dependent tasks are the task that needs to be completed in particular order
• Multiple predecessor: Multiple Predecessor are the tasks which needs to completed before proceeding to next successor task.
• Multiple successor- Any activity which starts on completion on previous task(s) is known as successor.

A project may have multiple predecessor and also multiple successor.

A simple example of this can be baking a bread.

Collecting ingredients ------> Baking Bread -------> selling bread

In this small example:

• Collecting ingredients, baking bread, selling bread are dependent tasks.
• Collecting ingredients is predecessor of baking bread.
• Baking bread is predecessor of selling bread.
• Baking bread is successor of collecting ingredients.
• Selling bread is successor of baking bread

Let us take an imaginary project which has dependents, multiple predecessor and multiple successors:

Project involves hiring employees for companies. Let us list task which needs to be completed in order to select best suitable candidate for the job.

Dependents are:

• Obtain Job description
• Obtain Job requirements
• Post vacancy
• Accept resumes
• Short list candidates
• Send Invites
• Conduct Written tests
• Conduct Interviews
• Conduct Group Discussion
• Management Interview
• Discuss Payroll
• Select best candidate

Following table shows multiple predecessors and multiple successors

Tasks	Task No	Predecessor	Successor
Obtain Job description	1.1	-	2.1
Obtain Job requirements	1.2	-	2.1
Post vacancy	2.1	1.1, 1.2	3.1
Accept resumes	3.1	2.1	3.2
Short list candidates	3.2	3.1	4.1
Send Invites	4.1	3.2	5.1,5.2,5.3
Conduct Written tests	5.1	4.1	6.1
Conduct Interviews	5.2	4.1	6.1
Conduct Group Discussion	5.3	4.1	6.1
Management Interview	6.1	5.1,5.2,5.3	7.1
Discuss Payroll	7.1	6.1	8.1
Select best candidate	8.1	7.1	-