What is an External Dependency?

An external dependency is an input from an external source that is required before a task can proceed. This dependency frequently takes the form of an approval. A project manager needs to track external dependencies closely to ensure that each one has been dealt with, so that a project can be completed on schedule. This can be done with ongoing meetings to review the situation in regard to each of these dependencies. Typically, someone will need to be assigned responsibility for dealing with each external dependency, which improves the likelihood that they will be completed in a timely manner.

Examples of External Dependencies

Here are several examples of external dependencies:

Government license. When a government agency must issue an operating license to a power plant before the facility can be turned on. The license is an external dependency.
Customer approval. When a customer must review the progress of a project and give its approval before it will release funds to pay for the next summary task. The approval is an external dependency.
Inspection permit. When a building inspector must issue a permit before the wiring for a building will be approved. The permit is an external dependency.
Supplier approval. When a computer hardware supplier must verify that its equipment can handle the requirements of the software being developed by a project team. The verification is the external dependency.