This comprehensive course is designed to familiarize you with the essential features and functions of Microsoft Project so you can apply it effectively and efficiently in real-world project management scenarios. This course covers the critical knowledge and skills that project managers require to develop a complete project plan during the planning phase of any project initiative.
About This Course:
This course is taught using Microsoft Project 2019 software, and it is also applicable to users of Project Online and earlier versions of Project desktop software. Instructors will note which features are exclusive to the 2019 version. This course serves as an excellent introduction for users of Project 2019, Project Online, or earlier desktop versions.
Note:
This course is suitable for anyone who has Project on the desktop, whether you purchased an on-premise edition or subscribed to a cloud-based online edition. Since most project managers and project team members use the desktop application, that is the primary focus of this training. The main features of the online app are presented in an appendix section.
Target Student:
This course is designed for individuals with general desktop computer skills who will be responsible for creating and maintaining project plans. Upon completion, you will have the fundamental understanding of Microsoft Project necessary to construct basic and effective project plans.
Prerequisites:
To ensure your success in this course, you should have basic knowledge and skills using the Microsoft Windows operating system, preferably the most current version. While expertise is not required, some experience and competency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel, will be beneficial.
Note on Advanced Courses:
If you already possess a basic understanding of how to use Microsoft Project but want deeper exploration of its advanced features, consider enrolling in our Level 2 Project class. If you are self-taught using Project and want additional practice with project management concepts and techniques, you should also consider proceeding directly to the second course in this series: Microsoft Project Level 2: Mastering Project.
Course Objectives:
In this course, you will gain the ability to construct basic project plans using Microsoft Project. You will be able to:
- Identify project management concepts and navigate the Microsoft Project Professional interface
- Create a new project plan file
- Add tasks to a project and establish the work breakdown structure
- Manage task relationships and dependencies within a project
- Manage and allocate project resources effectively
- Finalize and prepare a project plan for execution
- Update a project plan as work progresses
- Generate project views to monitor and manage a project
- Create project reports to communicate a project's status to stakeholders
- Reuse project plan information and templates
- Work with multiple projects simultaneously
Course Content
- Lesson 1: Getting Started with Microsoft Project
- Topic A: Identify Project Management Concepts
- Topic B: Navigate in the Microsoft Project Desktop Environment
- Lesson 2: Defining a Project
- Topic A: Create a New Project Plan File
- Topic B: Set Project Plan Options
- Topic C: Assign a Project Calendar
- Lesson 3: Adding Project Tasks
- Topic A: Add Tasks to a Project Plan
- Topic B: Enter Task Duration Estimates
- Lesson 4: Managing Tasks
- Topic A: Create a Work Breakdown Structure
- Topic B: Define Task Relationships
- Topic C: Schedule Tasks
- Lesson 5: Managing Project Resources
- Topic A: Add Resources to a Project
- Topic B: Create a Resource Calendar
- Topic C: Enter Costs for Resources
- Topic D: Assign Resources to Tasks
- Topic E: Resolve Resource Conflicts
- Lesson 6: Finalizing a Project Plan
- Topic A: Optimize a Project Plan
- Topic B: Set a Baseline
- Topic C: Share a Project Plan
- Lesson 7: Updating a Project Plan
- Topic A: Enter Task Progress
- Topic B: Enter Overtime Work
- Topic C: Edit Tasks
- Topic D: Update Cost Rate Tables
- Topic E: Update a Baseline
- Lesson 8: Viewing Project Progress
- Topic A: Use View Commands
- Topic B: Add a Custom Field
- Topic C: Create Custom Views
- Topic D: Format and Share the Timeline View
- Lesson 9: Reporting on Project Progress
- Topic A: View Built-in Reports
- Topic B: Create Custom Reports
- Topic C: Create a Visual Report
- Lesson 10: Reusing Project Plan Information
- Topic A: Create a Project Plan Template
- Topic B: Share Project Plan Elements with Other Plans
- Lesson 11: Working with Multiple Projects
- Topic A: Share Resources
- Topic B: Link Project Plans
