Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Hi Collegues, in my area we're looking into improving how we manage inter-project dependencies, especially when it comes to deliverables, milestones, and project phases. For those of you who've tackled this, what's been your approach? And what key information do you find most valuable in this process? I'm hoping to hear about your experiences and best practices! Saving Changes...
Awareness is the first step - providing visibility to teams of dependencies on their activities as well as the activities they have which others depend upon. Whether this is done via an integrated portfolio level schedule, a network diagram or some other means, identifying and sharing these dependencies proactively is essential.
Then, as we usually have little control over external dependencies, building buffers into time lines to allow for slippage from those dependencies is a good idea.
Kiron
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Mar 18, 2025 3:32 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Thanks Kiron for your response. I appreciate the advice about visibility and building buffers. We will definitely take these points into consideration. It's very helpful.
Regards! Francisco.
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Mar 13, 2025 7:10 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Francisco -
Awareness is the first step - providing visibility to teams of dependencies on their activities as well as the activities they have which others depend upon. Whether this is done via an integrated portfolio level schedule, a network diagram or some other means, identifying and sharing these dependencies proactively is essential.
Then, as we usually have little control over external dependencies, building buffers into time lines to allow for slippage from those dependencies is a good idea.
Kiron
Thanks Kiron for your response. I appreciate the advice about visibility and building buffers. We will definitely take these points into consideration. It's very helpful.
Regards! Francisco. Saving Changes...
By reviewing all the projects together or in batches with some regularity at the program level, patterns and common themes start to become more obvious such as recurring issues, work stacking up within a specific timeframe, or where the deliverables of one project are inputs to another.
Ensuring those reviews include a mix of different business and technical disciplines helps find the commonalities from a variety of perspectives. For example, issues in multiple projects applicable to a specific customer, technology readiness issues applicable to multiple projects, or capacity levels of critical skills and infrastructure like labs for acceptance testing.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Aug 06, 2025 6:31 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Keith Novak I agree! Regular project reviews at the program level are invaluable for spotting patterns and common themes.
I'd emphasize these benefits:
Early Issue Detection: Identifying recurring issues before they become major problems.
Resource Optimization: Seeing where workloads are stacking up helps us manage resources effectively.
Dependency Management: Understanding how project deliverables connect is crucial for smooth execution.
Cross-Functional Insights: Including diverse perspectives (business & technical) leads to more comprehensive solutions.
Thanks for highlighting the importance of these reviews. It’s a key practice for proactive program management!
Francisco.
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Thanks Ketih! I appreciate the focus on program-level reviews. It's helpful to see how patterns emerge. I'm curious, who usually participates in these reviews? Are there specific roles you find most valuable?
Thanks in advace! Francisco. Saving Changes...
Inter-project dependencies should also be managed by adequate software, considering the project management approach.
For example, for cascade projects, you can use MS Project, Nifty, MindManager, and Wrike.
For hybrid projects, a good option is Planview.
For agile/adaptive projects, Trello or Jira are the best choices.
Software for collaboration between teams of different projects should also be considered. A good option for this type of software is Miro. It's a digital collaboration platform designed to facilitate remote and distributed team communication and project management.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Aug 07, 2025 2:14 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz I agree that using the right software is essential for managing inter-project dependencies effectively.
I'd add these key points:
Software Choice Matters: Selecting tools that align with your project methodology (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid) is crucial. Thanks for the specific recommendations!
Dependency Visualization: Software should help visualize dependencies, making them easier to manage.
Thanks for sharing this valuable information on software options!
Francisco
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
We had a biweekly jourfix of max 60 minutes with all (resource) teams (10) and key projects (5-10) invited. And most attended. On the wall was a matrix of teams/projects. Interdependencies (requests for resources/deliverables and offers of new services) were represented by cards on a wall and removed when resolved.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Aug 08, 2025 12:40 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Thanks for sharing Thomas! That's a very practical and effective way to manage interdependencies.
I especially appreciate the:
Visual Matrix: Making the dependencies visible to everyone.
Regular, Short Meetings: Keeping the updates concise and frequent.
Focus on Resolution: Tracking and removing dependencies as they are resolved.
Involvement of All Key Teams: Ensuring everyone is aware of the interdependencies.
This approach clearly fosters collaboration and helps proactively manage potential bottlenecks. I might have to borrow this idea! Francisco
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Francisco Herrera Excellent question — often underestimated, yet critical for the success of interconnected portfolios.
In complex environments, several practices have proven especially effective in managing inter-project dependencies:
- Visual Dependency Mapping – Tools such as dependency boards or milestone alignment matrices help make visible what is often fragmented. Simple visuals enable early alignment and help prevent late surprises.
- RCPCV™ Decision Model – In contexts with multiple stakeholders and dynamic constraints, this structured model — Recolher (Collect), Consultar (Consult), Pensar (Think), Comunicar (Communicate), Verificar (Verify) — strengthens trust and ensures that dependency-related decisions are not made in isolation.
- Integrated Planning Workshops – Brief but well-facilitated sessions between interdependent project teams increase mutual accountability and reveal hidden assumptions. Even 90 minutes can make a real difference.
- Shared Milestone Calendars – Essential for ensuring transparency across cross-functional deliverables, helping to avoid false starts or idle waiting between teams or phases.
More than tools, the key factor observed has been the cultivation of relational rhythm and operational trust.
Regular conversations, clear expectations, and respect for interdependence transform friction into collaborative flow.
Would be great to hear how others are approaching this — especially within agile or hybrid portfolios under high variability.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Aug 11, 2025 1:41 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Luis Branco Thanks for your response, outlining some very practical and effective strategies for managing inter-project dependencies! I especially appreciate the emphasis on both structured approaches and the human element.
Key takeaways for me:
Visual Dependency Mapping: Making interdependencies visible is crucial for early alignment.
RCPCV™ Decision Model: This structured approach strengthens trust and ensures informed decisions.
Integrated Planning Workshops: Short, focused sessions foster mutual accountability.
Shared Milestone Calendars: Transparency across deliverables is essential.
Relational Rhythm & Operational Trust: Cultivating these elements is key to transforming friction into collaboration.
It's clear that managing these dependencies effectively requires a blend of structured processes and strong relationships. Thanks for sharing your expertise! Francisco
Project & PMO Manager | Research & Enterprise Mentor| GFB HoldingSouth America, Brazil
Good morning, in program or portfolio management, with projects relationship I detail 2 integrated documentos WBS and Schedules (only milestones). In order to evaluate the mais interactions first
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Aug 12, 2025 12:49 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Tocayo I agree, creating integrated WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) and Schedules, especially at the milestone level, is a very effective way to evaluate project relationships in program and portfolio management.
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Mar 18, 2025 9:17 PM
Replying to Keith Novak
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By reviewing all the projects together or in batches with some regularity at the program level, patterns and common themes start to become more obvious such as recurring issues, work stacking up within a specific timeframe, or where the deliverables of one project are inputs to another.
Ensuring those reviews include a mix of different business and technical disciplines helps find the commonalities from a variety of perspectives. For example, issues in multiple projects applicable to a specific customer, technology readiness issues applicable to multiple projects, or capacity levels of critical skills and infrastructure like labs for acceptance testing.
Keith Novak I agree! Regular project reviews at the program level are invaluable for spotting patterns and common themes.
I'd emphasize these benefits:
Early Issue Detection: Identifying recurring issues before they become major problems.
Resource Optimization: Seeing where workloads are stacking up helps us manage resources effectively.
Dependency Management: Understanding how project deliverables connect is crucial for smooth execution.
Cross-Functional Insights: Including diverse perspectives (business & technical) leads to more comprehensive solutions.
Thanks for highlighting the importance of these reviews. It’s a key practice for proactive program management!
Francisco.
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Aug 05, 2025 7:50 PM
Replying to Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz
...
Inter-project dependencies should also be managed by adequate software, considering the project management approach.
For example, for cascade projects, you can use MS Project, Nifty, MindManager, and Wrike.
For hybrid projects, a good option is Planview.
For agile/adaptive projects, Trello or Jira are the best choices.
Software for collaboration between teams of different projects should also be considered. A good option for this type of software is Miro. It's a digital collaboration platform designed to facilitate remote and distributed team communication and project management.
Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz I agree that using the right software is essential for managing inter-project dependencies effectively.
I'd add these key points:
Software Choice Matters: Selecting tools that align with your project methodology (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid) is crucial. Thanks for the specific recommendations!
Dependency Visualization: Software should help visualize dependencies, making them easier to manage.
Thanks for sharing this valuable information on software options!
Francisco
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