Offset Dependencies

Offset Dependencies look at each available Leaf and create Predecessors to that Leaf by offsetting the Index of one or more Positions. That means that if an Offset is set to 0, it means "same", an Offset of 1 means "next position" and an Offset of * means "all positions" (often used to ensure that Seams don't interfere with Bench type Dependencies for example).

A comma between entries is the same as saying "and". In the example below a Strip Offset of 1,-1 means look one Strip ahead and behind.

Finally a span includes all Offsets from beginning to end. In the example below a Bench offset of -2--4 means look at each Bench from 2 above to 4 above. This may be useful where Benches are not always populated.

When you add or edit a Dependency of this type, you can set the following parameters (or accept the defaults where applicable):

Description

Optionally, enter a Description that can be used with the Name to further identify the Dependency. Detail useful for diagnosing issues with Dependencies should be added here.

Relationship

The Predecessor to Successor Relationship. Defaults to Source to Source. Source to Destination means a Destination Task is waiting on a Source Task to be finished.

Treat Predecessors as OR Group

Where multiple predecessor tasks have the same successor task and the OR check box is NOT enabled, the successor task will only be released after ALL of the predecessor tasks are completed.

Where multiple predecessor tasks have the same successor task and the OR check box is enabled, then the successor task will be released when ANY of the predecessor tasks are completed.

Priority

The Priority is a numerical method to classify your dependencies by importance. Ranges with Priority 1 will be resolved first, meaning if there are conflicting dependencies between two or more ranges, ranges with lower priority will become circular, rather than randomly resolving the conflict.

Act As Constraint

Normally a Dependency takes into consideration the relationship between Tasks regardless of the Equipment or Date involved. Selecting the Act As Constraint check box on your Range or Offset Dependency adds a significant amount of power such as Time conditionals (Start and End Date) as well as Equipment conditions.

For example, if the user ticks act as constraint in the dependency range, and excludes Drills, the Drills will not honour the dependency range.

Set the Source (Text Range or [Inline] *) Range that applies to the Tasks. See: Text Range and Inline Ranges.

Release Delay Expression

Once a Predecessor Range has been completed, the Release Delay controls how long until the Successor Range is considered "Released" and can be worked. Accept the default (None) or build a Release Delay Expression using the operators, constants and functions provided by the Expression Editor.

See: Released vs Unreleased

Predecessor/Successor Range

This is where you enter the Dependency text. For example:

Predecessor: MyPit/S1/B1-B10/A-F


Successor: MyPit/S1/B1-B10/G

Predecessor/Successor Processes

Allows you to control which Processes are used for the Dependency.

Offsets

Offset the Index of one or more Positions for each Level on the Levels (or Text) tab. If an Offset is set to 0, it means "same", an Offset of 1 means "next position", an Offset of -1 means "previous position", and an Offset of * means "all positions" (often used to ensure that Seams don't interfere with Bench type Dependencies for example).

Use the local toolbar to add Offset Entries. Copy, Insert Copy and Move options are available when you right-click on an Offset Entry.

Add a new item to the list.
Delete the item(s) currently selected in the list.