Duration vs predecessors, for parallel activities (not auto updating on gantt chart)

CharlesD

based in the example below, I have various assignment and activities that run parallel to various construction activities across construction stage.

How do i set smart sheet to prioritise predecessor?

Research: this behaviour is a known limitation in Smartsheet. Unlike MS Project or Primavera, Smartsheet does not automatically calculate duration for a single task purely from SS and FF predecessors. Here’s why and how to handle it:

Why It Didn’t Work

• Smartsheet calculates start/finish from either:
  1. Start + Duration + Predecessors
  2. Finish + Duration + Predecessors
• If you leave Duration blank, Smartsheet does not auto-calculate the time span based solely on SS and FF.
• It requires a duration unless the task is a parent row, because child tasks control the parent row's span.

Georgie

Hi @CharlesD,

Thanks for posting what you’ve found! This will help out other members with their understanding of duration and predecessors.

For other members reviewing this thread, more information can be found here: Activate dependencies and use predecessors in sheets.

Georgie