What Is Activity Sequencing?

• Define the order activities must be executed
• Enforce dependencies at criterion level (not activity level)
• Dependent criteria are "locked" until prerequisites complete
• Team can work in parallel on independent criteria
• Automatically unlocks when prerequisites are met

When to Use Sequencing

• Onboarding processes - new hires need foundational knowledge before advanced training
• Compliance workflows - regulatory steps that must happen in a specific order
• Client deliverables - approval before delivery, review before approval
• Knowledge transfer - learning basics before advanced topics
• Quality gates - validation before proceeding to next phase

How It Works

• Create template with criterion dependencies
• Dependencies inherit when task is created
• Dependent criteria show as "locked" (grayed out)
• System shows "Waiting on: [Activity / Criterion]" message
• Team works on independent criteria while waiting
• Criteria unlock automatically when prerequisites complete
• Progress visible - see what's blocked vs. moving forward

Real-World Example: Client Onboarding

Benefits of Criterion-Level Dependencies

• Prevents skipping critical steps - quality gates are enforced by the system
• Reduces decision fatigue - the process tells you what to do next
• Enables reliable delegation - expertise is encoded in the template
• Allows parallel work - team works independently where possible
• Tracks progress clearly - see what's blocked and what's moving forward
• Improves quality - ensures prerequisites are met before dependent work

Creating Sequenced Templates

• Design activities in logical order
• Ask for each criterion: "Does this depend on something else?"
• Link dependent criteria to prerequisites
• Use clear criterion names
• Test the template by walking through it
• Update based on what you learned