Applying MS Project to Plan, Schedule
and Control Your Projects
Day 1
Using MS Project as a tool
- Overall project plan development process
- Understanding terms and configurations
Creating a project plan
- Starting a new project plan file and a project calendar
- Documenting key assumptions
Creating a work breakdown structure (WBS)
- Organizing task lists into an outline and assigning tasks
Developing your initial timeline
- Estimating using fixed duration, fixed unit and work effort
- Setting, reviewing and modifying dependency links between tasks
- Applying constraints and deadlines and optimizing the timeline
- Viewing the Gantt chart, network diagram and initial critical path
Setting up resources
- Assigning resources and costs
- Resolving resource conflicts
Day 2
Optimizing the project plan
- Shortening the project duration
- Evaluating alternative plans — the role of key assumptions
Communicating the project plan
- Creating custom reports
- Presenting the project plan to stakeholders
- Setting, viewing and modifying a baseline plan
Tracking project performance
- Viewing task progress in the schedule and analyzing variances
- Re-optimizing the project plan to meet project goals
- Rescheduling a task and adjusting the timing of future tasks
Collaborating on a project plan
- Requesting progress information
- Approving project plan updates
- Posting an issue
Closing out a project plan
- Reusing project plan information
Schedule
Evening before course — 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Optional dinner for those arriving early
Day 1 — 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Session
Day 2 — 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Session