Dependency Mapping Skill
Systematic identification and management of cross-project dependencies.
Purpose
This skill provides a framework for:
- Dependency identification
- Dependency classification
- Impact analysis
- Critical path identification
- Dependency tracking and management
Prerequisites
Before dependency mapping, ensure:
| Prerequisite | Required For | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project schedules | Timeline analysis | Project managers |
| Project deliverables | Dependency identification | Project plans |
| External contracts | Vendor dependencies | Procurement |
| Integration points | Technical dependencies | Architecture |
Dependency Types
Internal Dependencies
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Finish-to-Start (FS) | B starts when A finishes | Development → Testing |
| Start-to-Start (SS) | B starts when A starts | Parallel workstreams |
| Finish-to-Finish (FF) | B finishes when A finishes | Code freeze → Doc freeze |
| Start-to-Finish (SF) | B finishes when A starts | Rare, shift handoff |
External Dependencies
| Type | Definition | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Third-party delivery | Medium-High |
| Regulatory | Approval or certification | High |
| Infrastructure | Environment availability | Medium |
| Integration | API or system availability | Medium-High |
| Resource | Shared resource availability | Medium |
Dependency Mapping Gates
Gate 1: Dependency Identification
Objective: Identify all dependencies across portfolio
Actions:
- Review project schedules for cross-project links
- Interview project managers
- Document deliverable handoffs
- Identify external dependencies
Identification Questions:
- What does this project need from other projects?
- What does this project provide to other projects?
- What external inputs are needed?
- What must be complete before this can start?
Output: docs/pmo/{date}/dependency-inventory.md
Gate 2: Dependency Classification
Objective: Classify dependencies by type and criticality
Actions:
- Classify by dependency type (FS, SS, FF, SF)
- Classify by source (internal/external)
- Assess criticality (critical path/slack)
- Document constraints and assumptions
Criticality Assessment:
| Level | Criteria | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | On critical path, no slack | Daily monitoring |
| High | < 1 week slack | Weekly monitoring |
| Medium | 1-4 weeks slack | Bi-weekly monitoring |
| Low | > 4 weeks slack | Monthly monitoring |
Output: docs/pmo/{date}/dependency-classification.md
Gate 3: Impact Analysis
Objective: Understand impact of dependency failure
Actions:
- Analyze schedule impact
- Analyze cost impact
- Identify cascade effects
- Document mitigation options
Impact Assessment Template:
| Dependency | If Delayed By | Schedule Impact | Cost Impact | Cascade To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Dep] | 1 week | [Impact] | [Impact] | [Projects] |
| [Dep] | 2 weeks | [Impact] | [Impact] | [Projects] |
| [Dep] | 1 month | [Impact] | [Impact] | [Projects] |
Output: docs/pmo/{date}/dependency-impact.md
Gate 4: Critical Path Analysis
Objective: Identify and protect the critical path
Actions:
- Map critical path across projects
- Identify dependencies on critical path
- Analyze buffer/slack
- Recommend protection measures
Critical Path Visualization:
Project A: [Task A1] → [Task A2] → [Deliverable A]
↓
Project B: [Task B1] → [Task B2] → [Deliverable B]
↓
Project C: [Task C1] → [Task C2] → [Final]
Protection Measures:
- Buffer allocation
- Parallel path development
- Early warning triggers
- Contingency plans
Output: docs/pmo/{date}/critical-path-analysis.md
Gate 5: Dependency Tracking Plan
Objective: Create ongoing tracking and management plan
Actions:
- Define tracking frequency per criticality
- Assign dependency owners
- Create communication plan
- Define escalation triggers
Tracking Template:
| Dependency | Owner | Update Freq | Status | Next Milestone | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Dep] | [Owner] | [Freq] | [Status] | [Date: Milestone] | [Risk] |
Escalation Triggers:
- Critical dependency at risk
- External dependency delayed
- Cascade impact identified
- Owner not responding
Output: docs/pmo/{date}/dependency-tracking-plan.md
Anti-Rationalization Table
See shared-patterns/anti-rationalization.md for universal anti-rationalizations.
Dependency-Specific Anti-Rationalizations
| Rationalization | Why It's WRONG | Required Action |
|---|---|---|
| "We've documented the main dependencies" | Undocumented dependencies cause surprise delays. | Document ALL dependencies |
| "That's a soft dependency, not critical" | Soft dependencies become hard when they fail. | Classify and track all |
| "External vendor always delivers" | Past performance ≠ future guarantee. | Track and verify externals |
| "Projects will coordinate directly" | Ad-hoc coordination fails under pressure. | Formal tracking required |
Pressure Resistance
See shared-patterns/pressure-resistance.md for universal pressure scenarios.
Dependency-Specific Pressures
| Pressure Type | Request | Agent Response |
|---|---|---|
| "We trust the other team, don't track" | "Trust doesn't prevent delays. Tracking enables early action." | |
| "Too many dependencies to track" | "Complexity requires MORE tracking, not less. Will prioritize by criticality." | |
| "Vendor said it's on track" | "Vendor assurance needs verification. Confirming with evidence." |
Blocker Criteria - STOP and Report
ALWAYS pause and report blocker for:
| Situation | Required Action |
|---|---|
| Critical dependency at risk | STOP. Immediate escalation. Cascade impact pending. |
| Circular dependency identified | STOP. Architectural issue requires resolution. |
| External dependency failed | STOP. Contingency activation required. |
| Dependency owner unresponsive | STOP. Escalate for owner assignment. |
Cannot Be Overridden
The following requirements are NON-NEGOTIABLE:
| Requirement | Cannot Override Because |
|---|---|
| Complete dependency inventory | Hidden dependencies cause surprise delays |
| Owner assignment | Unowned dependencies are unmanaged |
| External verification | Vendor assurance without evidence is unreliable |
| Critical path protection | Critical path delays affect entire portfolio |
| Cascade impact documentation | Unknown cascades become crisis |
If user insists on violating these:
- Escalate to orchestrator
- Do NOT proceed with incomplete mapping
- Document the request and your refusal
Severity Calibration
When assessing dependency risks:
| Severity | Criteria | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| CRITICAL | On critical path, no slack, high impact | Core API dependency blocking 3+ projects, vendor at risk of bankruptcy |
| HIGH | < 1 week slack, significant impact | Integration dependency with tight timeline, key resource dependency |
| MEDIUM | 1-4 weeks slack, moderate impact | Supporting service dependency, documentation dependency |
| LOW | > 4 weeks slack, minor impact | Nice-to-have integration, optional feature dependency |
Track all severities. Actively manage CRITICAL and HIGH.
Output Format
Dependency Map Summary
# Cross-Project Dependency Map - [Date]
## Dependency Overview
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Total Dependencies | N |
| Internal | N |
| External | N |
| On Critical Path | N |
| At Risk | N |
## Dependency Matrix
| From Project | To Project | Dependency | Type | Criticality | Status |
|--------------|------------|------------|------|-------------|--------|
| [Project] | [Project] | [Description] | [FS/SS/FF/SF] | [Crit/High/Med/Low] | [On Track/At Risk/Blocked] |
## Critical Path Dependencies
[Visual representation of critical path]
## External Dependencies
| Vendor/Source | Dependency | Due Date | Status | Contingency |
|---------------|------------|----------|--------|-------------|
| [Vendor] | [Dependency] | [Date] | [Status] | [Plan] |
## At-Risk Dependencies
| Dependency | Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|------------|------|--------|------------|
| [Dep] | [Risk description] | [Impact] | [Mitigation] |
## Recommendations
1. [Recommendation with rationale]
2. [Recommendation with rationale]
## Decisions Required
1. [Decision needed with options]
Execution Report
Base metrics per shared-patterns/execution-report.md:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Analysis Date | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Scope | [Portfolio/Projects] |
| Duration | Xh Ym |
| Result | COMPLETE/PARTIAL/BLOCKED |
Dependency-Specific Details
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| dependencies_total | N |
| critical_path_deps | N |
| external_deps | N |
| at_risk_deps | N |
When Dependency Mapping Is Not Needed
| Condition | Verification |
|---|---|
| Single isolated project | Verify no cross-project dependencies |
| No external dependencies | Confirm all resources internal |
| No shared resources | Verify team is dedicated |
| Previous mapping is current (<30 days) | Reference existing map |
MUST: Full dependency mapping REQUIRED for the following conditions:
| Condition | Why Required |
|---|---|
| Multiple projects share resources | Resource conflicts cause delays |
| External vendor dependencies exist | Vendor delays cascade to projects |
| Integration points between projects | Technical dependencies create coupling |
| New project added to portfolio | Impact on existing dependencies unknown |
| Critical milestone approaching | Risk assessment needs current dependencies |
MUST: When in doubt, update the dependency map. Stale dependency information causes crisis.
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