> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.tability.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.tability.io/docs/become-a-tability-power-user/features/outcomes-key-results/outcome-relationships.md).

# Outcome relationships

Connect key results and objectives with parent, dependency, and related relationships

Relationships show how a key result contributes to another goal, which work contributes to it, or which goals share useful context. Your workspace may call outcomes **key results** or use another custom label; the workflow is the same.

You can connect a key result to either another key result or an objective.

## Choose the right relationship

* **Add parent** — the current key result contributes to the selected objective or key result. The connection appears under **Contributes to** on the current item.
* **Add dependency** — the selected objective or key result contributes to the current key result. The connection appears under **Dependencies** on the current item.
* **Add related** — the two items are associated, but neither contributes to the other. The connection appears under **Related**.

Use parent and dependency relationships when progress has a direction. Use a related relationship for shared themes, risks, or context that should not imply a roll-up.

{% hint style="info" %}
Relationship editing requires plan edit permission and a Starter-or-higher workspace. If **Add relationship** is unavailable, check the plan permissions and subscription.
{% endhint %}

## Add a relationship

1. Open the key result to show its details panel.
2. Expand **Relationships**.
3. Select **Add relationship**.
4. Choose **Add parent**, **Add dependency**, or **Add related**, then choose whether to connect an objective or key result.
5. Select the plan that contains the other item.
6. Select the objective or key result, then select **Save**.

When you add a parent, Tability initially selects the current plan's parent plan when one exists. You can choose a different plan before selecting the item.

Repeat the workflow to add more connections. Tability groups them in the details panel under **Contributes to**, **Dependencies**, and **Related**.

## Remove a relationship

1. Open the key result and expand **Relationships**.
2. Find the connection under **Contributes to**, **Dependencies**, or **Related**.
3. Hover over the row and select the remove icon on the right.

Removing a relationship does not delete either objective or key result.

## Trace relationships in the Dependencies Map

Open the [Dependencies Map](/docs/become-a-tability-power-user/features/dependencies-map.md) when you need more context than the details panel provides. The map can start from a plan, objective, key result, or initiative and show both structural and custom relationships.

In the Dependencies Map:

* **Parent** shows what the focused item contributes to.
* **Dependencies** shows what contributes to the focused item.
* **Both** shows both directions.
* Dashed lines represent custom parent, dependency, or related connections.

## Roll up progress from dependencies

A parent key result can calculate progress from the key results listed under **Dependencies**.

1. Add each contributing key result with **Add dependency**.
2. Edit the parent key result.
3. On **Target**, choose **Rollup dependencies**.
4. Choose **Rollup values** or **Rollup percentages**, then choose the method.
5. Review the **Preview value**, configure optional auto-sync, and select **Save**.

For a complete example, see [How to roll up progress from dependent key results](/docs/become-a-tability-power-user/how-tos/how-to-roll-up-progress-from-dependent-key-results.md).

## Troubleshooting

### Add relationship is missing

You need edit permission for the current plan. The button is hidden when you cannot edit the key result.

### Tability says the plan is locked

Ask a plan owner or workspace admin to grant edit access. See [Plan permissions](/docs/become-a-tability-power-user/features/plans/plan-permissions.md).

### The relationship picker shows an upgrade message

Goal alignment is not available on the Free plan. Upgrade to Starter or higher to add relationships.

### A relationship does not update progress

Relationships describe alignment; they do not change a key result's value by themselves. Edit the parent key result and choose **Rollup dependencies** if you want its progress calculated from dependencies.