Breaking Down Barriers: Effective Strategies for Managing Dependencies

As a product manager, you’ve likely encountered frustrating situations where progress is hindered by dependencies. But what if you could break free from this cycle? It starts with understanding what dependencies are and how to manage them effectively.

What are Dependencies, Anyway?

In simple terms, a dependency is when one team or project relies on another to complete a task or deliver a result. This can be due to various factors, such as shared resources, technical requirements, or business constraints. Dependencies can be internal (between teams within an organization) or external (with third-party vendors or partners).

The Problem with Dependencies

When left unmanaged, dependencies can lead to:

• Delays and bottlenecks
• Frustration and finger-pointing
• Inefficient use of resources
• Poor communication and collaboration

Strategies for Managing Dependencies

So, how can you avoid these pitfalls and manage dependencies effectively? Here are some strategies to get you started:

1. Talk to Teams, Not Tickets: Instead of creating tickets and expecting teams to tackle them promptly, have open conversations with the teams involved. This helps to clarify expectations, identify potential roadblocks, and find solutions together.
2. Design for Independence: Set up teams to be as independent as possible, with clear responsibilities and minimal overlap. This reduces the likelihood of dependencies and encourages teams to take ownership of their work.
3. Use Technology to Your Advantage: Leverage tools and platforms that facilitate collaboration, communication, and transparency. This can include project management software, version control systems, and real-time messaging apps.
4. Map Dependencies Early: Identify potential dependencies early on and create a plan to address them. This involves defining responsibilities, timelines, and contingency plans.
5. Prioritize and Focus: Prioritize dependencies based on business criticality and impact. Focus on resolving the most critical dependencies first, and then move on to less pressing ones.

A Simple Framework for Managing Dependencies

Here’s a simple framework to help you manage dependencies:

1. Name Dependencies: Identify and document all dependencies, including internal and external ones.
2. Define Business Criticality: Determine the impact of each dependency on the business and prioritize accordingly.
3. Use a 2×2 Matrix: Plot dependencies on a matrix to visualize their criticality and impact.

   dependencies = [
           {"name": "Dependency 1", "criticality": "high", "impact": "high"},
           {"name": "Dependency 2", "criticality": "medium", "impact": "low"},
           #...
       ]
   
       critical_dependencies = [dep for dep in dependencies if dep["criticality"] == "high"]
       print(critical_dependencies)

4. Prioritize and Focus: Address the most critical dependencies first, and then move on to less pressing ones.
5. Rinse and Repeat: Regularly review and update your dependency map to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

By following these strategies and using this framework, you’ll be well on your way to managing dependencies effectively and breaking down barriers to progress. Remember, collaboration and communication are key to overcoming dependencies, so don’t be afraid to talk to teams and stakeholders to find solutions together.