Alerts Based off Numerous Predecessors

stephanie.blake67241

Is there a way to create an alert based on numerous dependencies? For example, if Bill Smith needs to be notified only when both tasks 1 and 2 are complete, is there a way to do this? 

Paul Newcome

There is, but it can become tedious depending on your exact details. What is the maximum number of dependencies for a row? Do you have lag/lead time built in? Are there varying durations such as days vs weeks vs hours?

stephanie.blake67241

No lag/lead time. No varying durations. Not sure how many dependencies but not a ton.

Paul Newcome

Ok. OS to start you would need a row id column that basically duplicates the row number. Then you would create a number of helper columns. 1 for each predecessor. You would use these to parse out your predecessors. Then you would create an additional helper column (checkbox type is easiest to work with in my opinion). In this checkbox column would be a formula that looks at whatever column you use to mark a task complete, searches for each predecessor, then checks the box once all predecessor rows are marked as complete. You would then use this final checkbox column to trigger your notification.

 

Does this sound like something you would want to tackle? It can become tedious and time consuming setting it up, but once it is set you can use the "Save as new..." feature or save the sheet as a template to be able to use it over and over again.

 

Honestly though... If it is one time use and a short lived project, it may not be worth the hassle of setting up.

 

Does it sound like something worth exploring?