Microsoft Project

A complete guide to using this software tool to help project management & reporting

During this introductory hands-on course, delegates will learn how to utilise Microsoft Project to assist in the planning, monitoring, maintenance and control of projects. In addition they will also understand where Microsoft Project as a tool, fits within the management and support of a project. Crucially, we also cover recent developments where Microsoft are gradually moving more functionality away from the Desktop, and onto a web-based service, that can be consumed by Apple and Android tablets and smart phones.

This course is run on a private basis and each delegate needs to have access to Project Pro, the desktop app. In addition, it would be nice, but not critical, if each delegate also had access to both Project for the Web (The Power Platform app) and Project Online (the SharePoint app). Both these products are covered in the course, but if delegates do not have access to one or both of them, the trainer will simply demonstrate the products.

Description

Who is this course for

Anybody working in a Project Support role, providing administrative support to Project Managers. The course also contains useful theory and practise for Project Managers looking to use Microsoft Project as a software tool in supporting their role and assisting with the planning and control of projects.

Purpose of the course

Our Microsoft Project course will give you the hands-on experience you need to confidently use the software tool to help support the management of a project. Although designed primarily for people in a project support function, the course does also incorporate various Project management techniques and theory which lends context to the use and benefits of Microsoft Project itself.

You will learn how to

Understand some of the basic concepts of Project Management and of Planning a Project

Use Microsoft Project to create and manage Calendars, Tasks and Resources

Create Project Plans and Schedules, including Gantt Charts, Network Diagrams and Task dependencies

Schedule Tasks and allocate resources (including identifying and resolving conflicts)

Monitor project progress, customise your views and generate reports

Import and Export data to and from Microsoft Project and sharing Project information

Prerequisites

A basic level of computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Windows and Office packages, though not essential, is highly desirable. As the course also takes delegates through the basic components of project planning, an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of project management would be useful, but again, not essential.

Benefits for you as an individual

Once familiar with Microsoft Project, you will quickly come to realise how it can assist in the planning, maintenance and management of all aspects of running a project through its entire lifecycle. From the initial planning process, to resolving resource and scheduling conflicts, updating/amending plan components to running complex reports - MS Project does it all. As part of learning how to use MS Project, this course will give delegates an appreciation of basic Project Management concepts and terminology and increase understanding of how Projects work in the wider corporate environment.

Benefits for your organisation

Microsoft Project enables organisations to increase efficiency and optimise costs through unified Portfolio and Programme management of all their Projects. By having Project Managers and support personnel trained in MS Project, you allow for structured, consistent and comprehensive planning, maintenance, control and reporting across all projects within the organisation.

Introduction to Project Management

What Makes a Project?
Seven-Steps to Project Management
Where does Microsoft Project fit in?