Setting Task Dependencies
Dependencies let you control the order in which tasks must be completed.
How dependencies work
When you set a dependency on a task, it cannot be completed until all of its prerequisite tasks are finished first. This ensures that steps happen in the correct order.
Setting a dependency
- Select a task in the process editor.
- In the task sidebar, find the Dependencies section.
- Click to add a dependency and select the task(s) that must be completed first.
Email notifications
When all of a task’s dependencies are completed, the task’s assignee is automatically notified by email that the task is now ready for them. The email includes a direct link to the task and lists which dependencies were completed.
This notification is sent with a short delay, so if the assignee completes the task immediately after it becomes available, the email is automatically cancelled.
Dependency warnings
If you try to delete a task that other tasks depend on, NextStep will warn you about the dependency chain. You’ll need to remove the dependency before deleting the task.
Related
- Email Notifications — all notification types NextStep sends
- Due Dates — set dynamic due dates relative to when a dependency is completed
- Can’t Complete a Task — troubleshoot tasks locked by dependencies
- Approval Workflows — approvals can also lock dependent tasks