What are dependencies as a basis for prioritization?

Dependencies in the context of prioritization refer to situations where the fulfillment of one requirement is contingent upon the completion of another requirement. This is crucial in project management and requirements life cycle management, as it helps in determining the order in which requirements should be addressed.

In practice, recognizing these dependencies allows teams to identify the sequence of tasks that need to be completed to achieve a specific outcome. For instance, if a software feature relies on a specific database structure being established first, understanding that dependency ensures that the database requirements are prioritized appropriately. This mitigates risks associated with incomplete functionality and supports a smoother development process.

When managing requirements, it is essential to understand these relationships since they can impact timelines, resource allocation, and the overall success of a project. Therefore, identifying and managing dependencies is a fundamental aspect of prioritizing requirements effectively.