The 4 task links / dependencies available in MS Project Explained

There are 4 kind of task dependencies in Microsoft Project.
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In Microsoft Project, there are four types of task dependencies, also known as task links, that you can use to show the relationships between tasks in your project schedule:

1. Finish-to-Start (FS): This is the most common type of task dependency, and it indicates that the second task cannot start until the first task is finished. Installing the foundation of a building must be completed before the framing of the building can begin. The electrical rough-in work must be completed before the drywall can be installed. The installation of the roof trusses must be completed before the roofing can be installed. In any of these cases, you would create a Finish-to-Start link between these two tasks. This is the most used activity link in my experience.
2. Start-to-Start (SS): Start to Start is a logical relationship where a Successor Activity cannot start until a Predecessor Activity has started, according to the PMBOK Guide. As an example, Before the foundation pouring starts, the concrete cannot be leveled. SoPouring would be de predecessor and leveling the successor, and in this case, you would create a Start-to-Start link between these two tasks.
3. Finish-to-Finish (FF): This type of task dependency indicates that the second task cannot finish until the first task is finished. For example, you might have a task called "Write report" that needs to be completed before a task called "Edit report" can be finished. In this case, you would create a Finish-to-Finish link between these two tasks.
4. Start-to-Finish (SF): This type of task dependency indicates that the second task cannot finish until the first task starts. This type of link is less common, as it is generally easier to specify that a task cannot start until another task is finished. However, there may be cases where you need to use a Start-to-Finish link, such as if you have a task that needs to be completed by a certain date and you want to ensure that it starts as soon as possible.

It is important to note that task dependencies are used to specify the order in which tasks should be completed, but they do not affect the duration of the tasks themselves. If you want to change the duration of a task, you will need to edit the task's duration directly.

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