HKSM
external dependencies
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?
- Discretionary dependency
- External dependency
- Internal dependency
- 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.
