In this article, we will cover:
- What are Task Dependencies?
- Mandatory Task Dependencies
- How to Add Task Dependencies
- How to Remove Task Dependencies
- Addendum
What are Task Dependencies?
To enhance the user experience, PDX categorizes tasks as Active or Inactive via Task Dependency.
- Active tasks are tasks that can be worked on immediately.
- Inactive tasks are tasks that cannot be worked on until the parent deliverable is complete.
A Task Dependency is a way for users to define if a task can currently be worked on. By adding task dependencies to a deliverable, users will be able to filter tasks with no immediate action items from the Task Dashboard.
On the deliverables and tasks tab of an order item, deliverables with task dependencies will have a gray gem.
On the Order Item page, users will see blue text under deliverables with task dependency, which denotes the current status. The format will always reference the parent deliverable its status is dependent on.
For example:
Scenario #1. The 1st Closed Caption tasks are currently Active, since the parent deliverable - Feature (EN) is complete.
Scenario #2. The Closed Caption tasks are Inactive since the parent deliverable Episode (EN) is incomplete. Inactive tasks will be greyed out on the order item page and cannot be managed until the parent deliverable is completed.
Mandatory Task Dependencies
If a parent deliverable has any dependent child deliverables, the parent deliverable must have a "Finalize" task. If the Finalize task is missing on the parent deliverable, users will see a red message below the deliverable name and all tasks associated to the child deliverables will be inactive.
To resolve this, the Finalize task would need to be added to the parent deliverable.
Once the Finalize task is added to the deliverable, its status will play a role in the accessibility of the child deliverable's tasks.
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If the Finalize task is:
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The child deliverable and all of its associated tasks will be available for the user and will be visible on the task dashboard.
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If the Finalize task is in any status other than the above: e.g., Needs Source, New, etc.
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The child deliverable will be gray'd out on the order item and order page. Tasks associated will not appear on the task dashboard |
Please note that this behavior is only applicable when assets are linked to the deliverable or there are no other blockers associated to the order item / deliverable as a whole.
How To add Task Dependencies via the Order Items page:
Task dependencies can be added to order items either via spreadsheet or via the UI.
To add task dependency to an existing deliverable, click on the edit icon next to the deliverable.
If the selected deliverable is a child, users will see a new option to mark if the deliverable should have task dependency on the parent deliverable.
Please note that this checkbox will be checked by default when NEW deliverables are added to the order item.
As mentioned in the beginning of this section, Tasks dependencies can be added in bulk to an order via the action menu. This can be done by selecting all the desired deliverables and choosing "Add Dependency".
Please note that task dependencies can only be added to child deliverables. This means that users can select ALL deliverables and apply the add dependency action. This will apply a task dependency to all child deliverables.
How to Remove Task Dependencies
Task Dependencies can be removed from existing order items via an order spreadsheet template, or removed from an existing order item via the UI.
The steps are similar to adding a task dependency by either A) unchecking the "is dependent" checkbox or B) using the "remove dependency" from the action menu.
Via Order Spreadsheet Template
Task Dependencies can be set up via an order spreadsheet template. Task Dependencies are controlled by the column "Remove Dependency".
- Y - The order will not have any task dependencies applied to the order item
- N - The order will have task dependencies applied to the order item
If no value is provided, the system will default to NO and task dependencies will be added in based on the deliverable's child - parent relationships.
Addendum, rules, and expected behaviors around Task dependencies
In addition to the scenarios covered above,
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