All dependencies are created using dependency rules and these are grouped into sets to simplify their management. Before any dependency rules can be defined, you must create a new dependency rule set and give it a unique name. Note that dependency rule sets are assigned to each scenario, not each resource. However the different types of resources will use the dependencies in different ways.

To create a dependency rule set, the Dependency Rule Set item should be selected in the tree structure of the schedule setup window. A list of the current dependency rule sets will be displayed in the right hand pane. Buttons are also provided to add a new rule set or to edit or rename an existing rule set, as shown below.

Click the New button to add a new item to the list. Enter an appropriate name to the replace the default name of NewItem.

If, as above, you were in the Scenarios tab when the new dependency rule set was added, then it will automatically be assigned to that scenario. If you were in the All Items tab when the dependency rule set was added, then it will not be assigned to any scenarios.

To assign a dependency rule set to a scenario, go to the Scenarios tab and open the schedule tree for the required scenario. Select the item in the tree called Dependency Rule Sets and XPAC will display the available rule sets in the right pane of the window. Check the box beside the required dependency rule set and its name will appear in the schedule tree underneath Dependency Rule Sets. In the following window, the dependency rule sets called Working Slope - AB, Mining Direction - RB and Wide Working Slope - AB have been assigned to the scenario called With Objectives - Wide.