MS-Project 

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Microsoft Project

• Describe how Project relates to the discipline of Project management.
• Learn what the new features are in Project 2013.
• Navigate to the primary views available using the Ribbon.
• Choose Views that display task, resource, or assignment information.
• Select table within views to change the information that is available to see and edit.
• Relate the features of Project to the 5 steps for building a plan in Project.

A Quick and Easy Overview of Managing with Project

• Create a new project and prepare it for data entry.
• Enter project tasks.
• Sequence the tasks.
• Define resources.
• Estimate Task duration and assign resources.
• Baseline the project.
• Track project progress.

Setting Up a Project

• Use multiple methods to create a new project from an Excel file and a SharePoint Tasks list.
• Establish one or more calendars to constrain resource availability.
• Configure Project to calculate the schedule from the Start Date forward, or from the Finish Date backward.

Manually Schedule vs. Auto Schedule

• Students practice switching tasks between Manually Schedule and Auto Schedule modes. By switching modes, students learn the impact made on the project schedule and the individual tasks.

Creating a Work Breakdown Structure

• Build and use summary and subordinate tasks.
• Understand and use milestones.
• Develop WBS Outlines.
• Assign completion criteria.

• Evaluate the WBS.
• Understand and use WBS templates.

Identifying Task Relationships

• Understand the different types of task relationships.
• Understand and use various methods to create relationships.
• Determine and display task sequence.
• Understand and use lag, lead, and delay.
• Understand the new feature of Task Paths.

Defining Resources within Project

• Define resource types.
• Define individual resources that will be used on the project.
• Record the cost(s) of using each type of resource.
• Record the limit of availability for each type of resource by establishing a resource calendar and defining the maximum units of that resource.

Making Work Package Estimates

• Enter estimates for duration and costs for each task.
• Distinguish between task types and describe when each is appropriate.
• Describe the relationship between work, units, and duration.
• Describe the way Effort Driven scheduling is affected by work, units, and duration.
• Assign tasks to resources using the Team Planner view.

Creating an Initial Schedule

• Calculate float and identify a project’s critical path.
• Understand and identify task constraints.
• Create milestones.
• Use the Task Inspector to troubleshoot the initial schedule.

Create a Resource Leveled Schedule

• Adjust a project schedule to account for limited people and other resources.
• View the overall cost and schedule of a project.
• Identify resources that have been over allocated for a project schedule.
• Use multiple ways to adjust tasks and assignments to remove over allocation for any resource.

Managing the Project

• Learn how to set a baseline.
• Lean how to enter and track project performance data.
• Learn how to apply different tracking methods.
• Learn how to perform a variance analysis on a project.

Formatting Output and Printing Reports

• Print
• Views
• Formats
• Sorting
• Filtering
• Grouping
• Custom Fields
• Reporting
• Other File Formats

Managing Multiple Projects

• Learn how to use common resources among multiple projects.
• Learn how to link tasks between multiple projects.
• Learn how to create a consolidated view of multiple projects.

Advanced Topics

• Learn how to customize the Ribbon and the Quick Access Toolbar.
• Learn how to customize WBS numbering.
• Learn the concepts of Formulas and Graphical indicators.
• Learn the purpose of the Global template and Organizer.
• Learn how to use Task Deadlines.