Microsoft Project Introduction

Course Aims:  

The objective of this intensive, hands-on one-day training course is to provide delegates with a thorough understanding of the concepts and terminology used in Microsoft Project. Understanding the resource driven element of Microsoft Project and the alternative ways of using the software is the core benefit of this course. Following the course delegates will be able to able to produce both timeline and resource driven plans.

Who Should Attend?

The course is aimed at new users of Microsoft Project who want to familiarize themselves with the basic concepts of the software in order to build project plans. Also existing users of the software who need a better understanding of the terminology used and need to prepare project plans based on resources and work. Note: No previous experience of either project management or the software is required, but due to the interactive nature of the course delegates should have a high level of competency in using Microsoft Windows.

Course Outline:

Terminology

- What is the Critical Path?
- What is a Critical Task?
- Critical Path Calculation
- Definition of Slack
- Multiple Critical Paths
- Overall Critical Path

How Microsoft Project Schedules

- Auto and Manual Scheduling
- Effort Driven Scheduling
- Duration-Work-Units
- Views-Tables-Filters
- Milestones
- Task Relationships
- Lead & Lag Times

Setting Tasks to Manual Scheduling

- Setting Projects to Auto Schedule & Effort Driven

Overview of Microsoft Project

- Command Tabs
- Short Cuts
- ScreenTips
- File Architecture
- Organiser
- Changing the Timescale
- Timescale Options
- Non-Working Time Tab
- System Options
- Filters
- Help
- Indicators
- Hyperlinks

Task Information Dialog Box

- Task Information – General; Predecessors; Resources; Advanced; Notes; Custom Fields

Creating a Project

Setting the Environment

Outlining a Project

- Project Summary Task

Resource Driven Projects

- Resource Driven Projects
- Question Marks

Resources

- Resource Sheet
- Resource Information Dialog Box
- Cost Table Selection
- Assigning Resources
- Deleting Resources
- Resource Over Allocation
 
Task Usage and Resource Usage Views

- Task Usage View
- Resource Usage View

Scheduling Issues

- Who Drives the Schedule?
- Overtime
- Extending the Working Day

Creating a Project – 11 Key Steps

Task Constraints

- Setting Soft & Hard Constraints

Scheduling Conflicts

Deadline Dates

- Deadline Indicator
- Missed Deadline Alert

Project Timeline

Printing Reports

- Overview of Views and Reports
- Printer Settings
- Page Setup

Case Studies

- Creating a Timeline Project
- Creating a Resource Driven Project

Overview

- Microsoft Project Ribbons