So often, you are waiting on someone else to do something before you can get started on your task.
You end up sending daily check-in emails to keep updated on their progress.
Or worse, you assume they will tell you when they're done only to find out they already finished a week ago.
Hive "Dependencies" feature solves this problem. Dependencies is a feature that is enabled by default in your workspace. To check it out,
Select "Hive Apps" from your main menu
See Dependencies are already toggled on for you!
Enable Auto-scheduling in Settings
In order for dependencies to affect the scheduling of action cards, you will also need to turn on Gantt auto-scheduling in workspace settings. If this is turned off, you will still be able to create dependencies between actions, but these will be purely visual links and will not trigger date changes.
To define the default auto-scheduling configuration for new projects created in the workspace, go to Your Profile dropdown > Your workspace > Settings.
Adding Dependencies
There are two ways to add a dependency.
1) Adding it to an action card
Open the action that needs a dependency (it can be either the action that comes before or after)
Click the '+' icon to the right of the Dependencies section
In search box, type the name of the action you want to add. Actions across the workspace will be listed in the searchable dropdown list
Select whether the added action depends on your open action or the reverse from the bottom of the "Add Dependency" pop up
Select 'Add'
2) Connecting on a Gantt Chart
Open a project in Gantt Chart
Click the dot at the end of an action
Drag to the beginning of the next action (to create a Finish-to-Start dependency). Additionally, the connections can be added in Gantt under the Predecessor column (click the gear icon on the Gantt chat and type in the corresponding predecessor number for the action).
Pro-tip: All four combinations of dependencies can be supported on Hive. The order in which the 'dots' are selected and dragged determines the type of dependency created.
Auto Scheduling Settings: Strict vs. Not Strict Scheduling
You can manage exactly how you want the dependencies to perform by choosing either 'Off', 'On', or 'Strict' or dependency relationships for a project on the 'Auto scheduling' settings page under the 'More' menu.
Additionally, the default auto-scheduling setting for new projects can be set on the Workspace Settings page by Admins. Note: Project Template auto-scheduling settings will override the default for new projects.
'Off': Duration and date changes to dependency and predecessor actions will not adjust other actions in the project.
'On': This will favor the dependent action's start date rather than the dependency link itself, meaning that the preceding action can move forward in time without affecting the dependent action. Only once the predecessor has passed the start date of the dependent action, will the dependent action move forward.
Additionally, if a predecessor action is completed in a shorter duration than planned, the dependent actions will not move forward automatically to account for the shorter duration adjustment.
'Strict': Strict scheduling (or 'ASAP' scheduling) means that all actions move together, no matter which direction they are moving. This is also where you can set strict lag or gap time. If a predecessor action is completed in a shorter duration than planned, the dependent actions will move forward automatically to account for the shorter duration adjustment.
Create the dependencies as normal. To create lag time, either click on the dependency link itself or write the advanced predecessor in the 'Predecessor' column. Now when one action moves forward or backward in time, they will all move together.
Pro-tip: when updating auto-scheduling settings, an update to the project is needed in order for the updated setting to apply.
Additionally, the predecessor column in Gantt is also where you can write advanced dependency functions (FS, FF, SS, SF + "Xd"). Use the formulate to add days of "lag" to the previous dependency. Like, "1.1FS+2d".
When it comes to dependencies you can use in your Gantt projects, there are 4 types of those:
Finish-to-start (FS) - You cannot start action B before action A is completed
This type of dependency can be applied when you need one task to be finished before the next one can be started.Finish-to-finish (FF) - You cannot complete action B before action A is done
If you don't want to finish an action before the preceding one is completed, this type of dependency will be the one to go for.
Start-to-start (SS) - You cannot start Action B before action A starts
Sometimes you might need to have one action start before letting the following one kick off. This type of dependency will allow you to do that.
Start-to-finish (SF) - You cannot complete action A before action B starts
With this type of dependency, the preceding action cannot be marked as completed until the following action starts.
Managing dependencies
To see what dependencies an action has, click to open the action. Dependencies (if any) will appear above the comments showing the relationship relative to that action. Clicking on the dependent actions will open them up.
If the dependency is yellow, it means the action is unstarted. If it is green, then it has been completed.
Highlighting changes
When a date is changed, you'll see Hive highlighting action start/due dates that were changed as well.
This makes it easier for your team — specifically project managers — to run "What if" scenarios in Gantt before taking action.
The highlight will disappear when you change a new date or leave the project & come back in.
Alerts
If you are waiting for someone to finish something, you will get a notification to let you know they are done and you're ready to get started.
Removing dependencies
Just as there are two ways to add a dependency, there are two ways of removing one.
Deleting from the action card
Click to open the action card with the dependency you want to delete
Hover over dependency text
Click the X
Deleting from Gantt Chart
Open Gantt chart
Click the yellow line of the dependency you want to delete
A new window will open asking you to confirm you want to delete the dependency. You select yes.