Effective project planning demands clarity, structure, and precise scheduling. This course introduces participants to project planning using Microsoft Project, aligned with ICDL certification standards. They will learn how to define tasks, allocate resources, and track project timelines using structured, practical exercises.
Learning Outcomes:
Define project objectives and deliverables
Create and manage Gantt charts and dependencies
Allocate resources and track progress in MS Project
Apply planning principles aligned with ICDL standards
Key Topics:
Project planning concepts and terminology
MS Project interface and navigation
Task lists, dependencies, and milestones
Resource allocation and baseline setting
Progress tracking and reporting features
Module 1. Learning Project Basics
- Project Definition
- Characteristics of a Project
- Project Constraints
- Project Phases
- Advantage of Project Management
- Project Management Application
- Advantages of Project Management Application
- Tools and Features of Project Management Application
- Starting Microsoft Project
- Exploring and Using the New Interface
- Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar
- Setting Preferences
- Creating a new Blank Project
- Defining a New Project and Project Information
- Defining the Project Working Times
- Adding a Nonworking Day
- Using a Project Template
- Using an Existing Map to Export Data
- Use magnification/zoom tools
Module 2. Working With Tasks
- Entering Tasks
- Editing Tasks
- Entering a Milestone
- Entering a Recurring Task
- Viewing and Hiding Recurring Tasks
- Editing Recurring Tasks
- Sort & Filter Task Tasks
- Multi-Level Undos
- Understanding Task Duration
Module 3. Organizing Tasks
- Insert a new task
- Delete a Task
- Moving Task
- Easily Summarize Data - Outlining Tasks
- Create, Modify, View Subtasks and Summary Tasks
- Add, Edit, Remove a Note for a Task
- Creating a Project Summary Task
- Viewing the WBS Codes
- Creating a Hyperlink to another File
Module 4. Scheduling Tasks
- Scheduling Tasks
- Linking Tasks
- Linking Multiple Tasks
- Linking Summary Tasks
- Changing Task Relationships - Modifying Task Link Types
- Deleting a Task Link
- Setting a Task Lag
- Setting a Task Lead
- Applying, Modifying and Deleting Constraints
- Entering a Start or Finish Date
- Setting a Deadline Date
- Setting a Manually Scheduled Task
- Identifying Critical Tasks
- Rolling Up Gantt Bars to a Summary Bar
Module 5. Working With Other Views
- Network Diagram Views
- Managing Network Diagram Views
- Calendar View
- Managing Calendar View
Module 6. Working With Resources
- Creating Work, Material & Cost Resources
- Changing Resource Working Hours
- Assigning Resources to Tasks
- Various methods of assigning single resources to tasks
- Entering data in the Resource Names column
- Assigning Material Resource to a task
- Assigning Cost Resource to a task
- Adding More Resources to a Task
- Other Resources Assignment methods
- Removing a Resource Assignment
- Using Task Inspector to Resolving Resource Issues
- Review the assignment information
Module 7. Assigning Costs
- Defining Costs
- Assigning Standard Rates
- Assigning Overtime Rates
- Assigning a Per-Use Cost to a Resource
- Selecting an Accrual Method
- Assigning Resource Codes
- Creating a Resource Rate Table
- Assigning a Resource Rate Table
- Assigning Fixed Material Resource Costs
- Viewing Resource Costs
- Viewing Task Costs
- Assigning a Fixed Cost to a Task
- Assigning a Cost Resource to a Task
Module 8. Working With Calendars
- Modifying Individual Resource Calendars
- Changing Resource Availability over Time
- Creating a Base Calendar
- Assigning a Base Calendar to Resources
- Assigning a Base Calendar to a Project
- Assigning a Calendar to a Task
Module 9. Using The Team Planner
- Assigning Tasks to a Resource
- Removing Task from Resources
- Identifying Over allocation with Team Planner
- Using the classic feature - Level Resource option
- Other Ways to Resolve Over allocations
- Splitting a Task
- Rescheduling Uncompleted Work
Module 10. Working With Baselines
- Using Baselines
- Saving a Project Baseline
- Viewing Baselines
- Updating a Tasks in a Baseline
- Updating a Project Baseline
- Saving Additional Baselines
- Saving a Project Interim Plan
- Clearing a Baseline
- Display Current Project Schedule and Baseline
Module 11. Tracking Your Progress
- Tracking Project Progress
- Set up Microsoft Project for Tracking
- Updating Project progress with % complete
- Updating Project Progress with Actual Work done and Remaining Work done
- Updating project progress with no. of hours of work complete
- Viewing Overall Project Progress
- Applying Progress Lines
Module 12. Evaluating And Distributing Data
- Viewing Earned Value Data
- Viewing Earned Value Indicators
- Creating a Report
- Changing Page Setup Options
- Printing a Report
- Show, Hide Columns Like: % Complete, Fixed Cost, Deadline
- Preview a Gantt chart, Network Diagram or Report