Depending on your organisational setup, dependencies can indeed have pros and cons. An important aspect in determining the best-fit organisational setup is having a good understanding of the organisational culture, as well as the ability to influence the same. A collaborative culture where the various teams take pride in the delivery of the end-product and how each of their contributions lead to success could thrive in a "production-line" setup. In contrast a "not-built-by-me" culture would suffer under a similar setup - here the focus should be on reducing dependencies and fostering a healthy competitive team dynamic. "Culture trumps strategy", but un-checked culture could trump processes regardless of how well they are structured.

Identifying and managing dependencies within an organization is crucial for maintaining efficient workflows, reducing risks, and ensuring projects are completed successfully.

Start by identifying all the projects, tasks, processes, and teams within your organization. Determine the interconnections and relationships between these elements. Dependencies can be both internal (within your team or department) and external (involving other teams or departments).

Categorize dependencies based on their nature and impact. They can be categorized as: Sequential dependencies: Tasks or projects that need to be completed in a specific order. Resource dependencies: Dependencies related to shared resources like personnel, equipment, or infrastructure. Information dependencies: Reliance on specific data, information, or documentation. Technical dependencies: Reliance on specific technologies, APIs, libraries, or systems.

Conduct regular dependency reviews to evaluate the status of existing dependencies, identify changes, and adjust plans accordingly. Maintain comprehensive documentation of dependencies, including details about the nature, rationale, and resolution plans for each dependency. Ensure that leadership supports and values the dependency management process, as it often requires collaboration and resources across different parts of the organization. Regularly assess your organization's dependency management process and look for opportunities to optimize it based on lessons learned and feedback.