What defines a Finish-to-Start (FS) relationship?

In project management, a Finish-to-Start (FS) relationship establishes a sequence of activities where the successor task cannot begin until the predecessor task has been fully completed. This means that there is a clear dependency between the two tasks, ensuring that the necessary work from the predecessor is entirely finished before the successor can commence.

This relationship is crucial in project scheduling, as it helps to ensure that tasks are carried out in a logical order. For example, in a construction project, you cannot start painting the walls (successor) until the drywall is completely installed (predecessor). By allowing the successor to start only after the predecessor has finished, project managers can better allocate resources, manage time, and reduce potential conflicts between overlapping tasks.

The other options describe scenarios that do not align with the Finish-to-Start relationship. For instance, saying that a successor can start before the predecessor finishes contradicts the fundamental principle of an FS relationship, which focuses on the complete finish of one task before the next begins.