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Introduction to MS Project

Course Overview: 

A one-day introduction to applying MS Project as taught in Managing Projects Across the Organization.

Course Description: 

The Introduction to MS Project workshop provides attendees the basic skills to succeed using the industry-standard scheduling tool Microsoft Project. Using Microsoft Project to Manage Projects (Introduction) is an ideal follow-on to the SOMOS introductory project management course Managing Projects Across the Organization. The workshop uses Microsoft Project as a tool to develop a project schedule according to the methodology presented in Managing Projects Across the Organization. Each attendee applies the principles and structure from the knowledge course to develop a Microsoft Project schedule for a project relevant to their work environment. Participants will take away project scheduling tools and templates that can be applied to their own projects.

Objectives: 

Attendees of this workshop will learn the basics of the industry-standard scheduling tool Microsoft Project. They will learn the program application, use, structure, syntax, as well as hints, techniques, limitations, and work-arounds.

Duration: 

1 day | 7 PDUs

Course Outline: 

Planning Projects

  • Introduction to MS Project
  • The Structure of MS Project
  • Navigating MS Project
  • Views
  • Help Features
  • Menu Bar
  • Tool Bar
  • Tabular Window
  • Graphic Window
  • Split Window

Defining the Work

  • Basic Set-up
  • Option Set-up
  • Building the WBS
  • Calendar

Developing the Gantt Chart & Network Diagram

  • Activities
  • Milestones
  • Precedences
  • Durations
  • Critical Path

Calculating the Schedule

Assigning the Resources

  • Optimizing the Schedule
  • Resource - Time Trade-offs

Developing the Budget

Setting the Baseline

Other Hints and Techniques

  • Size limitations

Printing and Formatting

Class Size: 

The class size is limited to a maximum of 10 students as this is a hands-on workshop.

Course Materials: 

Course participants will be provided with the following course materials:

  • Course notes
  • Exercise booklet
Target Audience: 
  • New Project Managers
  • New Schedulers
  • Functional staff who need project management tool knowledge
  • Recent attendees of Managing Projects Across the Organization
Prerequisites: 

Basic scheduling experience or an introductory project management course is recommended.

Registration Information: 
This course is limited to a maximum of 10 students.

If you would like to discuss your organization's management development needs with a SOMOS account executive, please click here or call 613-592-5050 x229.
Refer to course code 1MSP02 - Introduction to MS Project