Dependency tracking

A dependency says that one task cannot start or finish until another is done. This feature lets you record that link, so the blocked item is clearly marked and the connection shows on the plan. For example, the website copy cannot be published until legal has approved it, so the copy task is marked as blocked by the approval. Jira and Linear support this.

Plans slip when work waits on something that nobody noticed was late. Recording dependencies makes those waits visible and helps people see which delays will push back everything else. You need this when work crosses teams or has a fixed order. For simple projects where tasks can be done in any order, dependencies are unnecessary overhead.

• Ask whether the link is a simple flag or whether the timeline shifts when the blocking item moves.
• Check whether dependencies can cross projects and teams.
• Test how blocked items are shown on boards and lists, and whether you can filter for them.
• Find out whether people are notified when something blocking their work is finished.