How do I link tasks across multiple projects so if a task is delayed in one project it will trigger a delay in another project?

In Contractor Foreman, you can link tasks between multiple projects in the Schedule Module. This ensures that if a task in one project is delayed, it will automatically trigger delays in related tasks in another project. This feature is especially useful for managing projects that rely on shared resources, subcontractors, or sequential workflows.

To Link Tasks Across Multiple Projects, open the Schedule Module from the Main Menu.

Click the “Select Project” button and choose the projects you want to manage together. Click Save to load them into the Gantt chart.

Once selected, tasks from both projects will appear in the Gantt chart, allowing you to create relationships between them.

To establish a relationship between tasks in different projects, identify the tasks you want to link. Locate the small circles (linking points) at each end of the task bars in the Gantt chart.

The left circle represents the start of the task, and the right circle represents the end of the task. Click and drag from the end circle of one task to the start circle of another task. This creates a Finish-to-Start (FS) relationship, meaning the second task cannot begin until the first task is completed.

Once linked, any delay in the first task will push back the start of the dependent task.

Understanding Relationship Types

You can create different types of relationships with tasks depending on how they should interact:

1. Finish-to-Start (FS) – Most Common

The second task cannot start until the first task is completed. Example: If “Foundation Work” in Project A is delayed, “Framing Work” in Project B will also be delayed.

How to Set It Up: Connect the end circle of the first task to the start circle of the second task.

2. Start-to-Start (SS)

The second task cannot start until the first task has started. Example: “Excavation” in Project A must start as “Concrete Pouring” in Project B can begin.

How to Set It Up: Connect the start circle of the first task to the start circle of the second task.

3. Finish-to-Finish (FF)

The second task cannot finish until the first task has finished. Example: “Electrical Work” in Project A must be completed to finish “Final Inspection” in both Project A and Project B.

How to Set It Up: Connect the end circle of the first task to the end circle of the second task.

4. Start-to-Finish (SF)

The second task cannot finish until the first task has started. Example: “Shift Handover” in Project A must start before “Finalizing Reports” in Project B can be completed.

How to Set It Up: Connect the start circle of the first task to the end circle of the second task.

Enabling Auto Scheduling for Automatic Updates

For relationships between tasks to function dynamically, Auto Scheduling must be enabled. Click the “Enable Auto Scheduling” button in the Schedule Module if it’s disabled.

If Auto Scheduling is off, task relationships will be set, but changes in one task will not affect others unless manually updated.

By linking tasks across multiple projects in Contractor Foreman, you can manage project dependencies efficiently. If a delay occurs in one project, related tasks in another project will update automatically, keeping your schedule accurate and preventing bottlenecks.