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Brett_Phifer_SCI
Copper Contributor
Dec 15, 2025

Link Procurement Tasks to deliver Just-In-Time without using up slack?

In MS Project, what is the recommended way to link procurement tasks such that the duration is the lead time of the material, the task "finishes" (material delivers) when needed by the subsequent task, and we know when to "start" the task (order material)?

If we link the procurement task to the subsequent task with Finish-Start and As Late As Possible, and the subsequent task has total slack (float), this will push the subsequent task back in the schedule and use up its float. If we use Start-Finish, the dates line up but the procurement task doesn't drive the subsequent task as it should (if procurement gets behind schedule, it won't push the subsequent task). If we use the "deadline" feature, we are still tying ourselves to a date rather than letting the schedule dynamically determine when we need to order materials.

What is the correct way in MS Project to schedule the ordering of materials so that delivery occurs just-in-time as determined by the scheduled start of the subsequent task?

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