Predecessor Activity

A task that must occur before another, dependent task in the project schedule.

Key Points

  • Defines the logical order of tasks and establishes dependencies between activities.
  • Can be linked with different relationship types (FS, SS, FF, SF) along with leads or lags.
  • An activity may have multiple predecessors, a single predecessor, or none at project start.
  • Predecessor and successor relationships influence the critical path and schedule flexibility.

Example

In a building project, "Complete foundation" must finish before "Start framing" can begin. "Complete foundation" is the predecessor activity; "Start framing" is its successor.

PMP Example Question

Which statement best describes a predecessor activity?

  1. A task that starts only after its successor finishes.
  2. A task that must occur before a dependent task in the schedule.
  3. A task that is not linked to any other activity.
  4. A task that represents the longest path through the schedule network.

Correct Answer: B — a task that must occur before a dependent task

Explanation: A predecessor activity is one that logically comes before another activity that depends on it.

Leadership for Project Managers Course

Lead with clarity, confidence, and real impact. This Leadership for Project Managers course turns day-to-day challenges—unclear priorities, tough stakeholders, and cross-functional friction—into opportunities to guide teams and deliver outcomes that matter.

You’ll learn practical leadership skills tailored to project realities: setting direction without overcontrol, creating alignment across functions, and building commitment even when authority is limited. We go beyond theory with tools you can use immediately—one-sentence visioning, stakeholder influence maps, decision framing, and feedback scripts that actually land.

Expect hands-on frameworks, real-world examples, and guided practice to prepare for tough moments—executive readouts, resistance from stakeholders, and high-stakes negotiations. Downloadable templates and checklists keep everything actionable when the pace gets intense.

Learn alongside professionals around the world working in project leadership and delivery.

Explore the Course


Take Control of Project Performance!

HK School of Management helps you go beyond status reports and gut feelings. In this advanced course, you will learn Earned Value Management (EVM) to measure progress, forecast outcomes, and take corrective action. Learn how WBS quality drives performance, how control accounts work, and how to use EAC, TCPI, and variance analysis. Practical skills, tools, and guidance you can apply right away. Covered by Udemy's 30-day refund policy.

Learn More