Dependency Tracker template

This Dependency Tracker template is an easy-to-use, flexible and centralised solution to map, manage and de-risk project and programme dependencies. Track key information such as dependency type, status, probability, impact severity and affected area, alongside owners, stakeholders and target resolution dates. Simply edit and adapt to suit your delivery framework.

Use a Calendar Screen to see upcoming dependency deadlines by “Required By” and “Target Resolution Date”, or a Board Screen to visualise items by status such as ‘Not Started’, ‘Identified’, ‘In Progress’, ‘Blocked’, ‘At Risk’ and ‘Resolved’. Configure Workflows for real-time notifications—for example, when a dependency becomes ‘Blocked’ or when a decision is needed within the next week.

Understanding dependency management

Dependency management. Sounds pretty self explanatory right? Well it kinda is. However, just because it sounds simple doesn’t mean that it’s simple in practice.

On one level, dependency management is about identifying the relationships that can accelerate or delay delivery—internal, external, technical, resource or approval-based—and recording them in one reliable source of truth. It’s reviewing each dependency, assessing probability (low/medium/high) and impact severity (low to critical), and setting a realistic resolution plan and date.

Why this is important is straightforward too. It’s all about predictability and risk reduction. Managing dependencies enables you to plan scope, schedule, cost and quality with confidence, reduce surprises, and unblock work packages and milestones faster.

To become great at dependency management, ensure every dependency is clear, owned and visible. Think less “hidden in slide decks” and more “captured in a structured, up-to-date register”. Give yourself the best chance of hitting milestones by using a centralised database that can be filtered, sorted and reported on in seconds.

Gridfox is here to facilitate dependency management of the highest level.

Why Gridfox Dependency Tracker?

We pride ourselves on making Gridfox intuitive and accessible for everyone. Our Dependency Tracker template is a perfect example of this ethos. Once you’ve downloaded you’ll be able to access a range of preset features that will allow you to get up-and-running with robust dependency governance.

What makes Gridfox’s dependency tracker template so useful is that it can be adapted as you need. Unlike off-the-shelf software, it doesn’t burden you with unnecessary features that can’t be adjusted. While we think you’ll benefit from the inbuilt fields and relationships in this template, nothing is set in stone.

As you become more comfortable with your dependency tracker, you’ll be able to add (or remove) features. Extra views to highlight overdue items? Check. More filters to focus on ‘Blocked’ or ‘Critical’ items? No problem. Whether you’re reporting to a PMO or coordinating multiple delivery teams, Gridfox has you covered.

Here’s a breakdown of some of our key dependency tracker template features.

The Breakdown

• Dependency tables (with filters): Capture every dependency with fields for Type (Internal, External, Technical, Resource, Approval), Status, Impact Area (Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality), Probability, Impact Severity, numeric Risk Rating, Mitigation Plan, Decision Needed, and owner. Time fields—Identified On, Required By, Target Resolution Date, and Actual Resolution Date—make ageing and SLAs easy to track. Use Depends On and Sub-Dependencies to form clear chains, while Current Confidence helps communicate delivery certainty. Filters let you instantly isolate ‘Blocked’, ‘At Risk’ or ‘Critical’ items for swift action.
• Board: All dependencies, organised on a colour-coded Kanban board. Track progression through statuses and re-prioritise with simple drag-and-drop. Switch swimlanes by Type or Impact Area to focus conversations, and click into a card to update owners, mitigation plans or dates in seconds.

Download our dependency tracker template here.

Who’s going to love it?

At risk of sounding bold… Everyone! Dependencies, love them or hate them, are a universal part of delivery—regardless of industry or methodology.

Whether you’re a project manager or programme lead, delivery manager or PMO analyst, engineering manager or product owner, dependencies will be part of your day-to-day. They’re the connective tissue between work packages, milestones and stakeholders.

It’s the ideal template for teams (big and small) who want visibility of who owns each dependency, which items are yet to start, which are blocked, and how overall risk is trending across projects and initiatives. Built-in relationships to Projects Initiatives, Work Packages, Milestones Deliverables and Stakeholders—including RACI roles, influence and interest—mean you can align decisions quickly and keep delivery moving.

Think of our templates as the perfect leg-up for getting started with structured, reportable dependency management.

Ready to level up your dependency management? Download our dependency tracker template for free here.