T2/ MS Project: Creating Task Links - Tutorial

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In this MS Project tutorial, you will learn how to create links between tasks using 5 methods:

• Method 1: Link and unlink multiple tasks at the same time
• Method 2: Using the Gantt Chart
• Method 3: Adding predecessors to the task board
• Method 4: Viewing Task Information
• Method 5: Viewing the Task Details Pane

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The first method is simple. Select all the tasks you want to link, and then click the Link Tasks button in the Task Ribbon. Each task start will be linked to the end of the previous task, which is called a Finish-to-Start link. To unlink the tasks, select the linked tasks and click Unlink Tasks .

The second method is via the Gantt chart . Click on the first task, hold down the mouse button and drag the cursor to the next task. A link will be created. To unlink, right-click on the link line and select Remove Link .

There are four types of links between tasks in Microsoft Project.

1. Finish to Start (FD) , this is the most common type of link. Task B can only start after task A is finished.

2. Start to Start (DD) , here both tasks start at the same time. Task B cannot start before task A starts.

3. Finish to Finish (FF) , both tasks finish at the same time. Task B cannot finish before task A is finished.

4. Start-to-Finish (DF) , task B cannot finish before task A starts. This is the least commonly used type of link.

In the Task Linking window, enter the number of days you want the two tasks to be offset. For example, if you want the second task to start two days after the first task ends, type two. Then click OK. Note that you can also enter a negative offset if you want the next task to start before the previous task ends.

The third method is to use the Task Table . In the Predecessor column, enter the previous task number for each task you want to link. To unlink, simply delete the predecessor task number.

The fourth method is to double-click on a task or click on Info in the Task Ribbon. A window will open with several tabs. Go to the Predecessor tab, add or remove predecessor tasks as needed.

Finally, the fifth method is done by viewing the task details . Go to the View tab, click Detail . In the pane that opens, you can add or remove predecessors, change the link type and offset.