Passing variables to dependencies

Is it possible to pass variables to dependencies ?

e.g. A depends on B and B depends on C.

A has a property,variable (e.g. a build define)

When A get scheduled B and C also get scheduled but i want A's property to cascade down so B & C also set their same property with the same value ?

At the moment i have to make n copies of A,B & C where their properties are the same (e.g. debug build,release build,test build)