Microsoft Project Training - Effective Planning & Control

Course Content

Introduction
Elements of a Successful Project

• Planning
• Reporting
• Controlling
  Key Features of Project
• Office Assistant
• Project Map
• Toolbar Options

Initiating The Project
Defining the Project

• Establishing the project calendar
• Entering the project information
• Deciding on the tasks
• Defining with task types
• Entering the project tasks
• Determining the duration of tasks
• Splitting the project tasks
• Specifying recurring events
• Setting project milestones
• Calculating level of effort
• Outlining the project tasks

Estimating Costs

• Adding costs
• Applying variable costs

Structuring the Project

• Linking tasks using dependencies
• Identifying the critical path
• Displaying task relationships

Running the Project
Gathering Task Progress Data

• Entering status information
• Planned vs actual data
  Analysing and Tracking the Project
• Showing the project state
• Evaluating variances to the plan
• Viewing data in different formats
• Reporting project status with standard reports
  Reacting to Shifting Conditions
• Identifying alternative solutions
• Preparing a corrective action plan
• Implementing the new plan

Working with Views
Changing the Views

• Calendar
• Pert Chart
• Resource Usage
• Task Usage
• Tables

• Formatting the Views
• Formatting the Gantt Chart
• Formatting the Pert Char

Defining Project Resources
Filling in the Resource Sheet

• Defining the project budget
• Naming the resources
• Costing the resources
• Optimising the project budget
  Planning Resource Usage
• Determining resource availability
• Assigning resources to tasks

Scheduling the Timeline
Working with the Timeline

• Checking start/finish dates
• Displaying the critical path
• Displaying slack

Solving Overallocations
Working with Overallocated Resources

• Identifying resource overload
• Resolving resource overload
• Using slack to resolve conflicts
• Levelling and optimising resources
• Manual and automatic resource levelling

Setting the Project Baseline
Working with the Baseline

• Setting the project baseline
• Saving multiple baselines

Analysing Project Status
Working with printing and reporting

• Displaying and formatting data
• Reading standard reports
• Publishing & integrating reports
• Creating custom reports and tables

Project Enhancements
Reporting Across Multiple Projects

• Linking to external projects
• Consolidating multiple projects
• Saving the working environment
  Saving Time with Simple Macros
• Recording and running macros
• Adding macros to menus

Who Should Attend

This Microsoft Project training course is valuable for everyone using Microsoft Project to plan, manage and control projects. This hands-on course provides extensive practical knowledge using Microsoft Projects. You learn how to solve typical project and business problems using the planning and control features of Project.

You Will Learn To:

Plan project tasks, activities and resources with Project. Organise and launch a project. Develop and schedule project timelines. Assign and optimise resources. Track project progress to detect and avert impending problems. Identify and produce management reports you need from the baseline. Take advantage of the advanced features of Project. Manage costs and schedules across multiple projects. Enhance workgroup processes with automated task and activity confirmation. Increase multiple project effectiveness with project reporting.

Venue & Duration

This is a three-day course held either at Smart Learning Solutions premises or on-site.