Microsoft Project: An Introduction
Classroom, Virtual
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for those who are currently in charge of managing project tasks or ready to take on the responsibilities of developing a project schedule. Those familiar with the basic tenets of the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Schedule Management approach will find the course useful and informative. This course will also equip those who need to elevate their schedule management approach to a more project specialized application tool.
All participants must have Microsoft Project Professional installed (by their agency’s IT department or purchased separately) on their laptop, PC, or other personal device prior to attending the course.
Course Overview
This hands-on course will demonstrate to participants how project schedules are developed according to the PMI process as well as knowledge areas pertaining to project planning. Participants will understand what makes up project plans and why projects tasks should be developed and verified before using the Microsoft Project scheduling application.
The course covers basic navigational steps to setup auto-scheduling and the importance of utilizing this feature to keep track of schedule changes. Participants will also learn how Microsoft Project can track and manage project costs, set up schedule baselines, quickly develop visual reports, and track and monitor project deliverables with minimum effort. Participants will also learn basic scheduling terminology, how to create and define a project, add tasks to a blank project schedule, create Gantt Charts, and the importance of creating a work breakdown structure.
Our instructor uses a layered step by step approach to hands-on applications with actual screen shot versions of key action items covered during the course.
Course Topics
Section 1: Introduction and Overview
• Define how Microsoft Project enhances project communication
• Describe project schedule management
• Identify various project schedule views and schedule management processes
• Defining and understanding the Precedence Diagraming Method and how MS Project can link tasks together within a schedule
Section 2: Properties and Options
• Define the Microsoft Project properties and recommended settings
• Navigate the Microsoft Project Options menu layout
• Define and choose correct Microsoft Project property and options settings to ensure proper use of tool for managing projects
• Discuss the relationship between task types and Microsoft Project schedule calculations
Section 3: Templates and Calendars
• Create and save templates
• Assign calendars for the project, task, and resource
• Manage views and templates with the Microsoft Project Organizer
Section 4: Setting up a New Project
• Create and manage a project resource pool
• Set up and manipulate project and resource calendars
• Explore resource information, including Cost, Notes, and Custom Fields tabs
Section 5: Entering Project Data
• Define and enter tasks and milestones, including Level of Effort (LOE) tasks
• Create task structures and outlines
• Establish dependencies and constraints between tasks
• Assign resources to tasks and resolve over allocations
• Set and review the project baseline