workdepends

Workdepends is a term used to describe the set of dependencies that determine how work items in a project or process can be started and advanced. It emphasizes that work does not proceed in isolation; its progress depends on other tasks, resources, decisions, and external factors.

Elements of workdepends include predecessor tasks, required resources (people, equipment, facilities), information and approvals (sign-offs, data from other teams), and external events (supplier delivery, regulatory deadlines). Dependencies can be direct (a task cannot start until another finishes) or contingent (a task may start when certain conditions are met).

In practice, workdepends is used to map workflows into a dependency graph, analyze the critical path, and identify bottlenecks and risks. It supports planning, scheduling, risk assessment, and coordination across teams and stakeholders.

Benefits include improved visibility into sequencing, better risk management, more accurate forecasts, and fewer delays due to misaligned handoffs. Limitations include the complexity of large projects, dynamic environments where dependencies change, and the effort required to maintain accurate dependency data. Methods to manage include regular reviews, lightweight modeling, and clear ownership for dependencies.

Relation to related concepts includes workflow management, dependency graphs, the critical path method, and PERT. See also related topics such as project management, dependency graph, and workflow.