Introduction to Microsoft Project
About the Course
Designed for
This two-day course provides practical guidance on how to plan and schedule projects using Microsoft Project. On completion of the course participants will have acquired the skills needed to create a new project, entering task, resource and cost information; analyse and adjust schedules with date, dependency and resource constraints; customise and print Gantt Chart views and reports plus record and review task progress against the Baseline.
Target Audience
This course is aimed at new, recent, or intending users of Microsoft Project wishing to develop their understanding and capabilities with this package.
Requirements
No previous experience of Microsoft Project is necessary, but candidates should have a good understanding of computer basics and be familiar with the Windows operating systems. An understanding of project terminology would also be of benefit.
Teaching Approach
The teaching approach contains a mix of lectures, practical and one-to-one work and varies according to the people attending. Emphasis is placed upon quality of learning as much as the quantity.
Course Material
Part of each course is spent with exercises and projects so that those attending gain firm foundations through their own practical experience. Professionally designed course notes are provided and these may be retained for reference afterwards.
Duration
This training program is two-days in duration.
Course Outline
THE PROJECT ENVIRONMENT
Using the Project Interface
Using Microsoft Project Help
CREATING A NEW PROJECT
Inputting Start and Finish Dates
Saving a Project
ESTABLISHING A PROJECT CALENDAR
Setting up a Project Calendar
Making a New Calendar
Changing Calendar Options
TASKS
Entering Tasks
Entering Task Durations
Entering Subtasks
Creating a Summary Task
Using Recurring Tasks
Assigning Milestones
Splitting a Task
CONSTRAINTS
Adding Constraints
Modifying Constraints
Using Deadlines
DEPENDENCIES
Establishing Dependencies
Modifying Dependencies
RESOURCES
Creating a Resource List
Entering Resource Rates
Editing Resource Costs
ASSIGNING RESOURCES
Using the Assign Resources Dialog Box
Using the Resource List Options
Assigning in the Gantt Table View
VIEWS
Changing the View
ANALYZING SCHEDULING CONFLICTS
Understanding Scheduling Conflicts
Understanding the Basics of Scheduling
THE CRITICAL PATH
Understanding the Critical Path
Viewing the Critical Path
Understanding Critical Tasks
RESOLVING RESOURCE CONFLICTS
Understanding Resource Conflicts
USING FILTERS
Using Filters to Review Resource
Allocations
REASSIGNING RESOURCES
Adding Additional Resources
Switching Resources
LEVELLING RESOURCES
Levelling Resources Automatically
Levelling Resources Manually
ALTERING A RESOURCE CALENDAR
Scheduling overtime
Scheduling part-time work
USING WORK CONTOURS
Using Work Contours
Understanding the Types of Contours
SETTING THE BASELINE
Understanding Baselines
Setting the Baseline
RECORDING ACTUALS – TASKS
Actual Start and Finish Dates
Actual Task Durations
Actual Percent Complete
RECORDING ACTUALS – COSTS
Changing Calculating Options
Entering Costs Manually
TRACKING
Utilizing the Tracking Gantt View
Utilizing the Work Table View
Using Progress Lines
PRINTING REPORTS
Using the Reports Dialog Box
Viewing and printing reports
Using Customized Reports
Creating a New Report
Editing Existing Reports