8 Steps to

Microsoft Project Success

Dux Raymond Sy, PMP

September 25, 2009

10:00 AM 11:00 AM (PDT)

Presentation Objectives
Learn how to leverage Microsoft Project by properly:
Defining project schedule
Utilizing relevant project calendar
Identifying tasks and dependencies
Entering task estimates based on duration, work or resource
Outlining resource availability and task assignments
Tracking project actuals against project baseline information
Creating reports for stakeholders

Dux Raymond Sy, PMP

Managing Partner, Innovative-E, Inc.
Author, SharePoint for Project
Management by OReilly Media
Contract Author & Instructor,
Learning Tree International
For more information, connect with Dux
E-Mail: dux.sy@innovative-e.com
LinkedIn: meetdux.com/li
Blog: meetdux.com
Twitter: twitter.com/meetdux

Agenda
Microsoft Project is a Tool, Remember?
8 Steps to Microsoft Project Success
Questions and Answers

Lets Get Priorities in Order

For my dream house
I will buy a piece of land
Then buy drywall, tools, etc. at the hardware store
Start building

Realize that Microsoft Project

is a project management tool
Initial planning is needed prior
to using the tool
Project Charter
High-level Scope
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

What is Microsoft Project?

A project management tool that supports
Project Schedule Development and Management
Planning
Tracking
Resource Management
Project Reporting

It assumes that you

are familiar with a
project management
process

What Do I Need to Get Started?

Hopefully at this point, the initial Work Breakdown Structure
(WBS) is created by the project team
A WBS is a deliverable based grouping of project tasks
An effective way to define and organize all of the work
required to complete a project

WBS Example

Learn about effective project planning: http://go.meetdux.com/v3qx

Key Steps in Utilizing Microsoft Project

1. Define project scheduling
2. Enter tasks
3. Enter task durations or work effort
4. Link tasks
5. Assign resources and costs
6. Review and baseline project plan
7. Track progress
8. Generate relevant reports

Agenda
Microsoft Project is a Tool, Remember?
8 Steps to Microsoft Project Success
Questions and Answers

1. Define project scheduling

Microsoft Project has to know how to schedule the project
Do you know the project Start Date or End Date ?

Go to Project > Project Information

2. Enter Tasks
Enter tasks in the Gantt View
Go to View > Gantt View

3. Enter Task Durations or Work Effort

Enter the task estimates youve gathered
Duration
Work

Time Units
Months (mo)
Weeks (w)
Day (d)
Minutes (mi)

4. Link Tasks
Tasks can be linked multiple ways
Gantt View

Network Diagram View

Learn about task dependencies: http://go.meetdux.com/kr6t

5. Assign Resources and Costs

Define Resource Pool
Go to View > Resource Sheet

Assign Resources to Tasks

Assigning Multiple Resources

By default, Microsoft Project will update duration if
resources are added or removed from a task

Entering Task Costs

View > Table: Entry > Cost

6. Review and Baseline Project Plan

Tools > Tracking > Set Baseline

7. Track Progress
What are you tracking?
Schedule
Budget
Change

Project tracking entails

Tracking Tools
View > Toolbars > Tracking

View > Table:Entry > Tracking

8. Generate Relevant Reports

Agenda
Microsoft Project is a Tool, Remember?
8 Steps to Microsoft Project Success
Questions and Answers

Questions?
E-Mail: dux.sy@innovative-e.com
LinkedIn: meetdux.com/li
Blog: meetdux.com
Twitter: twitter.com/meetdux

How did you like the presentation?

http://sp.meetdux.com/post_feedback.aspx

Thank
You!