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Dependencies
In this section, you can specify which Jira links will be used to visualize the task dependencies. When links are synchronized with dependency types, you can visualize and create dependencies using the Board or Gantt modules. To manage the mapping, go to the Dependencies section and adjust the settings.
You can also disable the synchronization of links, in which case adding a new dependency in the app will not create one in Jira—all dependencies created will be stored by the App only.
Security and access
- Only Jira administrators can access this page.
- Click the "wrench" icon at the top right and select "General" from the drop-down list. Next, go to the Dependencies tab.
Dependencies
There are two kinds of dependencies the Gantt and Board modules can display:
- Strong dependencies—dependencies with a scheduling impact. For example, when in Auto mode, moving one linked task might update the position of the other linked tasks.
- Soft dependencies—dependencies with no scheduling impact. Moving one of the linked tasks does not affect the position of the linked issue.
By default, Soft dependencies are not synchronized.
You can synchronize and display all dependency types using the Gantt module. In Auto mode, such dependencies will have a scheduling impact. For Example, moving a linked task might update its successor's or predecessor's position on the timeline.
Dependencies cannot be synchronized and used as structure builders at the same time.
ASAP Mode
Enable this mode if you want to use the auto mode and reduce the gaps between tasks to a minimum. All newly created dependencies will have the "as soon as possible" mode enabled. You can disable the ASAP mode by editing the dependency (click on the dependency to display the edit dialog).
Default Dependency Configuration
The app creates custom dependencies that are most suitable for working with Gantt tasks:
| Dependency | Outward description | Inward description |
|---|---|---|
| Gantt: End to End dependency | has to be finished together with → | has to be finished together with |
| Gantt: End to Start dependency | has to be done before → | has to be done after |
| Gantt: Start to End dependency | earliest end is star of → | start is earliest end of |
| Gantt: Start to Start dependency | has to be started together with → | has to be started together with |
Soft dependencies
Soft links field → you can add multiple Jira link types into the box. All of the added link types will be visualized in BigPicture as soft dependencies. This field works unidirectionally (all added link types are visualized in BigPicture as soft links). 
Default soft link → when you create a new soft link in BigPicture (for example in the Board module) a corresponding link is created in Jira. For example, if the "Blocks" link type is selected, each time you create a soft dependency in BigPicture a "Blocks" Jira link is added for the relevant issues.
The two Auto period modes (Auto Top-Down/ Auto Bottom-Up) available in the App work best with default custom links added by the App. If you decide to change the default links, switch to the manual period mode to avoid unintended rescheduling of the tasks.
To learn more go to the Dependencies page.
Scope cloning
You can decide which Jira link has to be created to link issues while cloning the tasks in BigPicture. By default, a 'Cloners' link is used.
Use the drop-down menu to change the link setup or disable it.
Only links that are not mapped or otherwise used as structure builders can be selected.
Links cannot be used for synchronization and as structure builders at the same time. When a link is synchronized, you will not be able to use a structure builder based on that link in. Go to Task structure in Box configuration.
