In project planning, what do dependencies indicate?

Dependencies in project planning refer to the relationships between tasks that determine the sequence in which activities must be performed. They indicate how the start and end of one task are related to the start and end of another, capturing the necessary order for effective project execution. For instance, if task A must be completed before task B can begin, there is a dependency indicating that the timing of these tasks is interconnected.

Understanding dependencies is crucial for building a realistic project schedule, as it helps project managers identify the critical path, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure that one task can commence only after its predecessor has been completed. This relationship helps to minimize delays and optimize the flow of the project timeline, ensuring tasks are performed in the correct sequence.