Which task is the one that waits?

The task whose details pane you have open. With the Blocked by direction, it waits for the task you pick from the list.

Can I undo a dependency?

Yes. Click Remove next to the dependency in the Dependencies row and the link between the two tasks is gone.

How to set task dependencies in Asana

Set a task dependency in Asana: open a task, add a Blocked by dependency on another task, and see the waiting task marked in your project list.

Quick answer

Open the task that has to wait, select Add dependencies in its details pane, and choose the task it depends on from the Find a task list. Asana marks the dependency as Blocked by, shows the blocking task next to it, and adds a marker beside the waiting task in the list.

Steps at a glance

Open the task that has to wait from your project list.
Select Add dependencies in the task details.
Pick the task it is blocked by from the list.
Check the Blocked by row in the details pane.
Look for the marker beside the task name in the list.

Interactive demo

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Summary

A task dependency tells Asana that one task cannot start until another is finished. Setting it keeps the order of work visible to everyone on the project, so nobody starts a task too early.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1
Open the task that has to wait
In your project's List view, hover over the task that depends on another one. Click the arrow at the right end of its row to open the task details pane.
Step 2
Add a dependency
In the details pane, find the Dependencies row and click **Add dependencies**. A **Find a task** field opens with a list of tasks from your project underneath it.
Step 3
Pick the task it is blocked by
Choose the task that must be finished first from the list. The row shows **Blocked by**, which is the default direction, so the task you opened is the one that waits.
Step 4
Check the blocked marker
The Dependencies row now shows **Blocked by** with the blocking task and its due date, plus a **Remove** button if you change your mind. Back in the list, a marker appears beside the waiting task's name in place of its usual circle.

Why this matters

You have a task that cannot move until another one is done, and your team keeps starting it too early. Adding a dependency records that order on the task itself, so the waiting task is visibly marked in the list.

Frequently asked questions

Which task is the one that waits?
The task whose details pane you have open. With the Blocked by direction, it waits for the task you pick from the list.
Can I undo a dependency?
Yes. Click Remove next to the dependency in the Dependencies row and the link between the two tasks is gone.

Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.