HKSM

Links where project work relies on activities outside the project, which can dictate sequencing and timing of tasks.

Key Points

• Connects project tasks to non-project work (e.g., vendor deliveries, regulatory approvals, market events).
• Often outside the project team's direct control, increasing schedule uncertainty and risk.
• Should be recorded in a dependency log and reflected in the schedule network with leads/lags as needed.
• Managed via contracts, SLAs, coordination plans, and frequent communication with external parties.

Example

A software project cannot deploy a feature until an external payment gateway provider certifies the integration. The certification step, owned by the provider, is an external dependency that can delay the project's release.

PMP Example Question

A team plans system testing but must wait for a third-party vendor to deliver specialized hardware. What type of dependency is this?

1. Discretionary dependency
2. External dependency
3. Internal dependency
4. Finish-to-start relationship

Correct Answer: B — External dependency (reliance on non-project work)

Explanation: The testing depends on a vendor's delivery, which is outside the project boundary and control, making it an external dependency.