Targetprocess: Define Time-Based Dependencies Between Stories and Between Features

Sometimes your work needs to be completed before other work can begin, or your work might depend on other work being completed first. These types of time-based dependencies are referred to as inbound and outbound:

• Inbound - Work must happen before the Story can begin. 
• Outbound - Work depends on the Story and can only happen after the Story is completed.

Use the Relations tab on Stories, Features, and Bugs to define time-based dependencies between these types of work.

Defining a time-based dependency

1. Navigate to Team Planning Board.
   • Expand ARTs, then PI Planning, then select Team Planning Board from the left navigation menu.
2. Filter by the appropriate Portfolio, Agile Release Train, Program Increment, or Teams if desired.
   1. Refer to Filtering the Content of a View or Folder for instructions.
   2. See filter settings for specific use cases below.
3. If necessary, ensure empty columns are hidden:
   • Verify the Click to see hidden empty lanes icon displays in the upper right.
     
   • If the icon is not showing:
     1. Select the Actions menu in the upper right
     2. Select Visible next to Empty Lanes (to toggle this setting to Hidden).
     3. Select outside the Actions menu to close it.
4. If necessary, show relationship connectors (lines connecting dependent Stories and Features across teams):
   1. Select the Actions menu in the upper right.
   2. Select Show next to Relations and ensure all check boxes are checked.
   3. Select outside the Actions menu to close it.
5. Right-click on a Story or Bug.
   • Be sure to select the inbound story first. 
6. Select Add relation…
7. Select the related Story or Bug.
8. When the Related as: menu appears, select Dependency. 
9. A confirmation notification should appear that says Success: Relation was added. 

In the Relations tab of any Story, Bug, or Feature, you can view and define inbound and outbound Dependencies, or refer to View Dependencies between Teams and ARTs to view inbound and outbound Dependencies on the ART Dependency Board.