This document outlines 8 steps to successful use of Microsoft Project for project management: 1) Define the project schedule, 2) Enter tasks, 3) Enter task durations or work effort, 4) Link tasks, 5) Assign resources and costs, 6) Review and baseline the project plan, 7) Track project progress, and 8) Generate relevant reports. The presentation provides guidance on properly utilizing key Microsoft Project features to plan, track, and manage projects.

1. 8 Steps to
Microsoft Project Success
Dux Raymond Sy, PMP
September 25, 2009
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (PDT)

2. 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

3. Dux Raymond Sy, PMP
 Managing Partner, Innovative-E, Inc.
 Author, “SharePoint for Project
Management” by O’Reilly 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

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

5. Let’s 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)

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

13. 3. Enter Task Durations or Work Effort
 Enter the task estimates you’ve gathered
 Duration
 Work
 Time Units
 Months (mo)
 Weeks (w)
 Day (d)
 Minutes (mi)

14. 4. Link Tasks
 Tasks can be linked multiple ways
 Gantt View
 Network Diagram View
Learn about task dependencies: http://go.meetdux.com/kr6t

15. 5. Assign Resources and Costs
 Define Resource Pool
 Go to View > Resource Sheet
 Assign Resources to Tasks

16. Assigning Multiple Resources
 By default, Microsoft Project will update duration if
resources are added or removed from a task

17. Entering Task Costs
 View > Table: Entry > Cost

18. 6. Review and Baseline Project Plan
 Tools > Tracking > Set Baseline

19. 7. Track Progress
 What are you tracking?
 Schedule
 Budget
 Change
 Project tracking entails

20. Tracking Tools
 View > Toolbars > Tracking
 View > Table:Entry > Tracking

21. 8. Generate Relevant Reports

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

23. 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

24. Thank
You!