- MS Project Tutorial
Looking for:
Microsoft Project Advanced - PDF Free Download - Related articles |
- tutorial ms project -
Your screens may appear slightly different. You can download a free trial of Project from www. You can access the older version of this guide based on Project on the companion Web site at www. Students who purchased an older version of this text An Introduction to Project Management, Third Edition, by Kathy Schwalbe can purchase just this new Appendix from www.
Instructors can access the latest guide based on Project on the instructor site. Unfortunately, many people who own the software have no idea how to use it. It is important to understand basic concepts of project management, such as creating a work breakdown structure, determining task dependencies, and so on before making effective use of this software.
Many project teams still use spreadsheets or other familiar software to help manage projects. However, if you can master a good project management software tool, it can really help in managing projects. This appendix summarizes basic information on project management software in general. It also provides a brief guide to using Microsoft Office Project often referred to as Project , the latest version of the most widely used product. Appendix B provides a brief summary of task, the most popular totally online tool.
The products listed in the top ten include: 1. Microsoft Project 2. MindView 3. Project KickStart 4. RationalPlan Multi Project 5. FastTrack Schedule 6. Service Desktop Pro 7. Milestones 8. MinuteMan 9. FusionDesk Professional Remember that students can purchase Microsoft Project and other software at greatly reduced rates from sites such as www. You can also normally download free trials of Project and other software products.
Collaboration should be easy to use. Resource Management: Project management software should manage and control the resources needed to run a project, such as people, money, time and equipment. Project Management: The process, practice and activities needed to perform continuous evaluation, prioritization, budgeting and selection of investments are key.
Proper project management capabilities provide the greatest value and contribution to the strategic interest of your company. Ease of Use: All project management software has a learning curve, but the best have functions that are easy to find and simple enough for anyone to use from Day 1, Project 1. The manufacturer should provide email addresses or telephone numbers for direct answers to technical questions.
These 3 products require an Internet connection for use. Figure A-2 lists the top ten results. The top fourteen products listed include: 1. Daptiv PPM 3. Clarizen 4. Project Insight 5. Celoxis 6. Intervals 7. Projecturf 8. Central Desktop 9.
Easy Projects NET Project Office. Copper Smooth Projects Zoho Projects task took the number one spot. Like most tools in this category, task provides the ability to create Gantt charts, numerous reports and views, project dashboards, and it provides integration with Microsoft Project files. One of its unique features is its support of iPhones. See End Note 1 or visit the Web sites for any of these products and use a free trial version.
See Appendix B for more information on using task. Why not just use a spreadsheet or database to help manage projects? You can do a lot of project management planning and tracking using non-project management software. You could use a simple word processor to list tasks, resources, dates, and so on. If you put that information into a spreadsheet, you can easily sort it, graph it, and perform other functions.
A relational database tool could provide even more manipulation of data. If the problem side and the fixed side are the same, you have the remaining two sides of the triangle to work with. For example, if your project has to finish on time and your problem is that it's taking too long, you can adjust resources or adjust scope to get the project back on track.
If the problem side is different from the fixed side, you'll want to optimize by adjusting the remaining side. For example, if your project has to finish on time and it's grown in scope, you only have the cost side to play with by, for example, by adding resources. Know that when you adjust one side of the triangle of time, money, and scope, the other two sides are likely to be affected.
They can be affected positively or negatively, depending on the nature of your project. For example, if you adjusted your plan to bring in costs, check whether your finish date is still acceptable Lead and Lag Times Edit tables by adding and removing columns Change column labels Create a table The system will allow the user to organise these tables so they can be used to maximum effect. The content of the table is also dependent on the area of project management they are used for.
There is a difference between tables for Tasks and table for Resources. Modifying Or Editing An Existing Table The idea of changing a table structure is to make its use more appropriate to the needs in terms of what information the user needs to view. For a task table there are over one hundred possible columns from which the structure can be chosen. For Resources the number of possible columns is approximately thirty. The following dialog box Figure will show a list of the fields that make up the table.
A space will appear and the new field can be selected. The structure of the table is built up by selecting the fields in the appropriate order. When you decide which type of table you would like to create click on the NEW button. OR Another option which saves time is to copy an existing table and add or remove fields as necessary and rename it. Add, edit or delete fields as covered in the previous section.
Click OK to save the table. There is no need to recreate them in other files we have the organiser tool to allow us to transfer these objects for reuse elsewhere The global template is the file that is used every time you create a new project file this works similarly in word and excel.
It stores all the objects necessary to create a file with no data. Using the organiser to transfer any of the objects we create into it every time we create a new project those objects will be available for use in the new file. This includes tables, views, filters, groups, reports, macros, calendars tasks or resource objects Even better when these objects are in the global template any file you open created from another source that lacks the useful objects you have been using you simply transfer them from the global template into the new file and they are then available for use.
If you have several project files open use the drop down arrows in the boxes to correctly identify the files. MPT file if a file from another source is being used copy the other way for your objects to be used in other files.
When the transfer of objects is complete click the cross in the top right hand corner of the dialog to close the organiser. Creating any new project now will include the objects you have transferred ready for immediate use. It is also possible to define in what way these dependencies exist. For example, if you have two tasks, "Dig foundation" and "Pour concrete," the "Pour concrete" task cannot begin until the "Dig foundation" task is complete.
The dependent task can begin any time after the task that it depends on begins. The SS link type does not require that both tasks begin simultaneously. For example, if you have two tasks, "Pour concrete" and "Level concrete," the "Level concrete" task cannot begin until the "Pour concrete" task begins.
The dependent task can be completed any time after the task that it depends on is completed. The FF link type does not require that both tasks be completed simultaneously. For example, if you have two tasks, "Add wiring" and "Inspect electrical," the "Inspect electrical" task cannot be completed until the "Add wiring" task is completed. The dependent task can be completed any time after the task that it depends on begins.
The SF link type does not require that the dependent task be completed concurrent with the beginning of the task on which it depends. For example, the roof trusses for your construction project are built offsite. Two of the tasks in your project are "Truss delivery" and "Assemble roof. The FS link is by default not shown in the predecessors column but add one of the other link type contractions after the predecessor number and press enter the link will change and the result shown in the Gantt chart.
The picture below shows a start to start relationship. Click OK when you have made the necessary adjustments More Links, Lead And Lag Times From the previous examples you have seen in the task information dialog, predecessors tab and in the task dependency dialog a box called lag this is a box allows you to fine tune these Link relationships by specifying Lag or Lead times as required. You enter the lead time as a negative value Lag A Lag time is a delay between two tasks that are linked by a dependency.
For example, if there must be a two-day delay between the finish of one task and the start of another, you can establish a finish-to-start dependency and specify two days of lag time for the successor task. You enter the lag time as a positive value. Applying lead and lag time in the dialog boxes should now be easy but the method of entering it in the predecessors column may not be so obvious although it is the most efficient way of working with your links You may return to the standard Gantt view at any time by using the VIEW button and selecting a different view.
From this form the data relating to the specific task can be changed which includes progress information. Where progress data is being entered, Actual should be selected. Actual Start Date and time for the Task.
Actual Completion date and time for the Task, if completed. This box can set up a specific constraint on the start or end date for the task. There are a fixed number of choices which are shown in a list for selection. The priority relates to which tasks can be delayed. If nothing is entered, ID number is shown.
This will be looked at in more depth later. It also includes boxes for Rollup and Hide Gantt Bar. Predecessors Shows any predecessors set and allows you to add others, change the relationship and introduce Lag or Lead time. Resources You can add or modify resources plus change the task from being resource driven to fixed duration.
Notes This allows you to add a note. This could be a fuller description of the task, allowing you to use a cryptic title. Custom Fields This allows you to add custom fields to the task. We have already seen the use of the general and predecessors tabs in detail. In this section we will have a look at the advanced tab. Flexible Constraints Are constraints that are flexible and does not tie a task to a single date. The default for most projects would be ASAP. Work with task dependencies to make a task occur as soon or as late as the task dependency will allow.
For example, a task with an As Soon As Possible ASAP constraint and a finish-to-start dependency will be scheduled as soon as the predecessor task finishes. By default, all tasks in a project that is scheduled from the start date have the ASAP constraint applied.
If you change a task scheduling mode from manually scheduled to automatically scheduled, the task constraint will be set to As Late as Possible ALAP. Semi Flexible Constraints Constraints with moderate scheduling flexibility will restrict a task from starting or finishing before or after a date you choose. For example, a task with a Start No Earlier Than SNET constraint for June 15 and a finish-to-start dependency to another task can begin June 15 if its predecessor is finished by June 15 or later if its predecessor finishes after June 15 , but it can't be scheduled before June With a SNET constraint applied, the successor task cannot begin before the constraint date, even if as shown here the predecessor task is completed before the constraint date.
Inflexible Constraints Inflexible constraints are constraints that are inflexible because it ties a task to a date. They override any task dependencies by default and restrict a task to a date you choose.
For example, a task with a Must Start On MSO constraint for September 30 and a finish-to-start dependency to another task will always be scheduled for September 30 no matter whether its predecessor finishes early or late. If a task that is constrained to a date has a predecessor that finishes too late for the successor to begin on the date specified in the constraint, negative slack can occur. If the deadline date passes and the task is not completed, Project will display a task indicator next to the task in the table.
The deadline can also be displayed on the Gantt. The Indicators field is located to the right of the ID field and appears in a number of tables. Deadlines don't usually affect task scheduling.
They are used to indicate a target date you don't want to miss, without requiring you to set a task constraint that could affect scheduling if predecessor tasks change. A task with a deadline is scheduled just like any other task, but when a task finishes after its deadline, Project displays a task indicator notifying you that the task has missed its deadline. Deadline dates can affect the total slack on tasks. If you enter a deadline date before the end of the task's total slack, total slack will be recalculated by using the deadline date rather than the task's late finish date.
The task becomes critical if the total slack reaches zero. You can set deadlines for summary tasks as well as individual tasks.
If the summary task's deadline conflicts with any of the subtasks, the deadline indicator signifies a missed deadline among the subtasks. The task is scheduled to finish on the deadline date, though the task could still finish after its deadline if its predecessors slipped.
Click the Advanced tab. This is called inactivating the task. The task remains in the project plan, but does not affect resource availability, the project schedule, or how other tasks are scheduled. Why would you want to inactivate a task? For one thing, it can help you model the effects of schedule or resource constraints on the project without deleting tasks permanently. Also, inactive tasks remain in the project plan, providing a record of cancelled tasks and enabling you to reactivate them if circumstances change.
Instead, mark the tasks as completed. In the table portion of the view, select the task or tasks you want to inactivate. The inactive task stays in the task list, but the text is dimmed and has a line through it. This method will work for any view containing a Gantt chart and a task list. Tick the checkbox if you prefer not to see this warning in the future. For example, a two-day task that cannot have contiguous work might be split so that the first day of work is scheduled for Monday, and the second day is scheduled for Thursday.
As you move the mouse cursor over the task on the Gantt the mouse cursor will have changed click on the task where you wish to split it and drag the cursor to the right to move the second part of the split task into the future.
Drag the mouse cursor to the right until you connect to the second part of the task and let go of the mouse The task will join and have the same duration as the original task.
What most project workers do not realise that could save themselves a lot of problems is the fact that these views can be treated as any other object and saved you could have several views of the Gantt chart for instance each showing your project with different aspects ready to be used and printed at the touch of a button The views, like tables can also be transferred to other projects and used in those to save time recreating them.
Split Views The first thing to look at with views is the split view which allows you to see related information in the bottom half of the main window while the normal project data is shown at the top the easiest way to use this is from the view ribbon.
Views consist of more than just formatting and table columns they contain filters, sorting, groupings and split views if applied. In this section you will be shown how to create your own new view while subsequent sections show you how to further manipulate that view. Save An Edited View Rarely are the views perfect for what you want and many times we need to edit the component parts of a view to get exactly what we want.
You are advised that any time you wish to edit a view say the Gantt chart view you may at some time wish to revert to its default appearance so although this section is about editing an existing view create a new view first and edit that and the original views will be left untouched for future use. All of the formatting choices shown so far are considered editing a view, bar styles, filters, groups, tables, text styles, resizing etc.
When you have applied all these things to a Gantt for instance you may wish to keep that just as it is and revert at times to the original Gantt chart. Click on COPY Click OK to create the new view. Now edit the view formatting in the ways you want. Save the changes to the project. Transfer A View Transferring a view is much the same as transferring a table, filter, group, macro etc. To have those editions reflect in the view within the global.
Click the cross in the top right corner to close the dialog. Microsoft Project is a software package designed help managers manage a variety. It provides a list of quick tips and shortcuts for familiar features. This guide does NOT replace training. Learn how to create a project, break. Mastering Microsoft Project B; 3 days, Instructor-led Course Description This three-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills plan and manage projects using Microsoft.
For the most part, teams manage projects. Project Management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to complete a specific goal. Microsoft Project is software that helps you. Start your project Open Project and. Mastering Microsoft Project Duration: 2 days Course Description This two-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to plan and manage projects using Microsoft Project. Project Management: Intermediate Microsoft Project This document includes instructions for managing resources, updating project plans, and designing visual reports.
Managing Resources in a Project. Project management deliverables e. Click File then New. Select any of the featured. Creating a New Project Microsoft Project is a project management software program designed to assist project managers in developing plans, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing budgets,. VICO Constructor.
Civil Engg. Professional Ethics. Materials Engineering. Engineering Economics. Technical Report Writing. Concrete Technology. Hydraulic Structures.
Strength of materials. Engineering Geology. Building Construction. Steel Structures.
Comments
Post a Comment