Finish-to-Finish (FF) is a logical relationship in which a successor activity cannot finish until its predecessor activity has finished. This dependency ensures that two tasks are completed in alignment, even if they do not start at the same time.
Key Aspects of Finish-to-Finish
- Predecessor Must Finish Before Successor Can Finish – The second task cannot complete until the first one is done.
- Both Activities Can Run in Parallel – They may overlap, but the second task cannot complete before the first.
- Common in Dependent Workflows – Frequently used in software development, manufacturing, and event planning.
Finish-to-Finish vs. Other Logical Relationships
| Dependency Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Finish-to-Finish (FF) | Successor cannot finish until predecessor finishes. | Editing a document cannot finish until writing is complete. |
| Finish-to-Start (FS) | Successor cannot start until predecessor finishes. | Testing starts only after coding is complete. |
| Start-to-Start (SS) | Successor cannot start until predecessor starts. | Pouring concrete starts only after mixing begins. |
| Start-to-Finish (SF) | Successor cannot finish until predecessor starts. | A night shift worker cannot end their shift until the next worker starts. |
Example Scenarios
Software Development
A feature release cannot finish until all bug testing is completed, ensuring a quality deployment.
Construction Project
A building’s interior painting cannot finish until the final wall plastering is completed.
Marketing Campaign
A video ad campaign’s editing phase cannot finish until all raw footage has been recorded.
Mermaid Diagram: Finish-to-Finish Dependency
graph LR; A["Task A: Write Report"] -->|Must Finish Before| B["Task B: Proofread Report"] B -->|Can Only Finish After Task A| C["Task C: Submit Report"]
Why Finish-to-Finish Matters
- Ensures Task Completion Alignment – Prevents premature closure of dependent tasks.
- Improves Scheduling Accuracy – Helps teams manage interdependent workflows.
- Reduces Risk of Incomplete Deliverables – Ensures quality control before moving forward.
- Supports Critical Path Analysis – Helps in identifying scheduling constraints.
See also: Finish-to-Start (FS), Start-to-Finish (SF), Start-to-Start (SS), Logical Relationship, Schedule Network Diagram.