Microsoft Project 2021

Master Projects, Maximize Potential.

Microsoft Project 2021

Master Projects, Maximize Potential.

Step into the future of project management with "Mastering Microsoft Project 2021: A Comprehensive Guide for Modern Project Management." This course is your gateway to mastering a tool that transforms complexity into clarity. Imagine leading your projects with confidence, ensuring successful outcomes every time. Whether you're a seasoned project manager or just starting, this course is crafted to open new horizons, offering insights and skills that set you apart. You'll not only learn how to use Microsoft Project 2021 but also how to harness its full potential to elevate your career. Join us on a journey where innovation meets expertise, and unlock the secrets to project success in today's dynamic environment. Embrace the change--transform your future, one project at a time.

Self Paced • Online Class • Accredited CEUs

$120

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OVERVIEW

CURRICULUM

Microsoft Project 2021

Name: Microsoft Project 2021
Price: 95.00 USD

CRN: 57700131

Lesson 1. Understanding Projects with Microsoft Project

Comprehensive training in MS Project elevates managers' capabilities, navigating them through advanced project management environments and adapting to technological integration. This course paves the way from beginner to advanced user expertise, supplying tasks and exercises that solidify knowledge retention and application.

Lesson 2. MS Project Installation and Setup

MS Project merges its interface with Office applications, allowing seamless project creation from templates or blank canvases while optimizing workflow with a personalized toolbar. Its Backstage View centralizes project management tasks like saving and opening projects, while accommodating user-specific global settings.

Lesson 3. Efficient Project Planning with Work Breakdown Structures

A well-defined project scope, which may be a standalone document or part of a project charter, provides a detailed roadmap of goals, deliverables, tasks, costs, and deadlines, reducing oversight and error risks. It also outlines project boundaries, team composition, and processes for verification and decision-making, ensuring thorough execution planning.

Lesson 4. Leveraging the Gantt Chart for Task Management

Effort-driven tasks empower precise management by redistributing work among resources, optimizing task durations without altering total effort. Effective task scheduling permits manual input or automated adjustments, ensuring seamless progression and adaptability in response to project demands.

Lesson 5. Views: Your Portal to Better Project Management

Project views in MS Project allow users to display task and resource information in various formats, with the Gantt Chart view being the most commonly used due to its simplicity. Switching between views is effortless and helps in effectively managing project details like tasks, resources, and timelines efficiently.

Lesson 6. Understanding and Utilizing Project Calendars Effectively

Understanding MS Project's calendar framework, encompassing Base, Project, Task, and Resource calendars, is key to successful project execution. Accurate configuration and adjustment of these calendars help prevent scheduling conflicts and optimize task completion.

Lesson 7. Mastering Task Management in MS Project

A structured task outline in Project ensures seamless accomplishment of project goals by managing dependencies and timelines effectively. Summary tasks provide high-level insights, while subtasks handle the granular details essential for progress.

Lesson 8. Set, Track, and Manage Task Durations in Projects

In project management, tasks can be classified into Fixed Duration, Fixed Units, and Fixed Work types, each influencing how time and resources affect task scheduling. The lesson outlines procedures for setting task durations, constraints, and deadlines, as well as for identifying critical tasks to maintain project timelines.

Lesson 9. Creating Efficient Dependency Links

The dependency system ensures that tasks within a project follow a logical and efficient sequence, emphasizing relationships like finish-to-start for structured scheduling. Implementation of dependencies through Gantt Chart and Task Information dialogue aids in precise task alignment and timing control.

Lesson 10. Efficient Resource Management for Project Success

To optimize project outcomes, resources are detailed in a specialized sheet that supports effective assignment and budget management. Leveraging this tool, alongside understanding resource types, ensures project tasks are both completed timely and economically.

Lesson 11. Mastering Resource Management for Project Success

Resource management relies on allocating the right resources with appropriate skills and availability, while effective project management balances these resources against the budget and timeline. Categorizing resources helps quickly identify suitable candidates, and tools like Project assist in managing resource allocation as well as resolving over-allocation through methods such as resource leveling.

Lesson 12. Monitoring Project Progress: A Comprehensive Guide

Utilizing Microsoft Project's tracking tools requires setting clear status dates and using various views for detailed analysis, such as Task Sheet and Gantt Chart, ensuring accurate project management. By entering start/finish dates and updating task statuses, managers can keep projects on schedule and within budget.

Lesson 13. Progress Updates Simplified

Successful project management hinges on robust communication strategies to track task progress effectively. With tools like MS Project, managers can streamline information flow, systematically update tasks, and adjust timelines as necessary.

Lesson 14. Understanding Baselines: A Comprehensive Guide for Project Management

Interim plans, smaller than baselines, capture only task timing information, offering a way to compare original plans against alternative schedules. They are particularly useful for tracking incremental progress without modifying core cost assessments of a project.

Lesson 15. Designing with Project: Templates, Layouts, Filters, and More

Elevate your project management with MS Project by learning how to modify its look and feel, enabling a more intuitive and visually engaging interface. Format diagrams, develop templates, and create custom elements that cater specifically to your project goals.

Lesson 16. Report Running Simplified

Creating visual reports in MS Project allows for advanced data analysis akin to Excel Pivot tables, offering diverse perspectives like Task and Resource Usage. These reports support project evaluations, illuminating cash flows, resource availability, and task assignments.

Lesson 17. Shared Resources and Engagements: Bridging Projects with Resource Pooling

Centralizing resources in Project enhances efficiency by creating shared pools accessible to multiple projects, thus streamlining the management process by preventing resource conflicts and improving time management. Resource engagements, like agreements for limited resources, ensure availability is prioritized across multiple projects, allowing better control and planning for project managers.

Lesson 18. Printing Essentials for MS Project

Optimize your printed project documents by configuring orientation, paper size, and page layout through the MS Project's Page Setup options for precise paper utilization. Utilize the preview function to validate all settings are correct, ensuring you conserve resources and receive the expected results upon printing.

In This Course

9 Hours average completion time
0.9 CEUs
18 Lessons
26 Exams & Assignments
18 Videos
77 Reference Files
47 Articles
Mobile Friendly
Last Updated April 2024

Description

Mastering Microsoft Project 2021: A Comprehensive Guide for Modern Project Management

Course Introduction

In the modern era, with its complex business environments, having the right tools can be the difference between success and failure. Microsoft Project 2021, the latest version of a trusted project management software, offers a plethora of functionalities designed to cater to both businesses and independent professionals. While a tool can't replace the essence of effective project management or the skills acquired through training, it can certainly complement and enhance these elements, driving efficiency, organization, and project completion rates.

This course will furnish you with the knowledge to proficiently utilize MS Project 2021, ensuring your projects align with your set objectives and targets.

Understanding the Nuances of Project Management

At its core, project management entails overseeing and integrating numerous components of a project towards its fruition. These components range from resources such as supplies and labor to other variables including finance, workflow, deadlines, and vendor interactions. The significance of project management within corporate ecosystems is escalating, given the nuanced challenges and multifaceted operations of today's projects.

For a project to be managed effectively, a meticulous balance of time, scope, and cost is paramount. Deviations or inaccuracies can lead to significant financial setbacks. Traditional methods, like using physical files, are often prone to errors - lost files, limited accessibility, or inefficiencies in transferring critical information. Microsoft Project 2021 addresses these challenges by providing a cohesive digital solution. This tool serves as a robust platform, capable of generating valuable insights, visual representations, and reports to ensure a seamless project lifecycle.

Pillars of Effective Project Management with MS Project 2021:

Cost Management: Every financial aspect of your project, be it labor, equipment, vendors, or potential profits, falls under this category. With MS Project 2021, you can obtain a holistic view of all financial facets, ensuring budget adherence and profitability.
Time Management: Every minute counts in project management. With MS Project 2021, you can assign and monitor time for each task, thereby refining your estimations and projections for forthcoming projects.
Scope Management: This pertains to the definitive outcomes expected from the project. A comprehensive scope, emphasizing quality, minimizes unexpected challenges. MS Project 2021 aids in refining the scope, ensuring alignment with the desired objectives.

Successful project management translates to the timely delivery of the expected outcomes within the stipulated budget. Harnessing MS Project 2021 can streamline this journey.

Diving into Projects

A project, by definition, is a finite endeavor aimed at producing a distinct product or service. Each project is comprised of tasks - the foundational units that steer the project towards completion. Tasks can vary in complexity. For instance, while creating a software application, a task can be a broad directive like "Research competitors," which can be further subdivided into specific subtasks such as "Identify competitor products," "Analyze sales trends," and "Review pricing strategies."

Microsoft Project 2021 offers a hierarchical view of tasks using the Gantt chart, presenting a timeline for each task. Timing, being an essential component, is meticulously managed in MS Project, allowing users to establish task dependencies and ensuring no task is overlooked.

Course Overview

This comprehensive course has been meticulously curated to empower you with the proficiency to leverage MS Project 2021. Whether you're a novice or an experienced user, the course has insights tailored for all.

Each lesson delves deep into distinct features of MS Project 2021, providing step-by-step guidance. While access to MS Project 2021 can enhance the learning experience, it's not mandatory. Engaging exercises at the end of each lesson reinforce your understanding.

In addition, we offer a hands-on course project. While optional, this exercise allows students to apply their learnings in a real-world scenario, leading to a holistic understanding of MS Project 2021.

Conclusion

In the dynamic world of project management, having a reliable tool like Microsoft Project 2021 is invaluable. Through this course, we aim to equip you with the skills to harness the full potential of this software, ensuring your projects are always a success. Join us on this enlightening journey and redefine your project management prowess.

Skills You'll Develop

Cross-project resource collaboration
Project management efficiency and organization
Project scope definition and refinement
Workflow customization and template creation
Strategic task scheduling and prioritization
Cost management and budgeting accuracy
Resource allocation and optimization
Effective communication and progress updates
Advanced reporting and data analysis
Time management and deadline tracking

Skills You'll Develop

Cross-project resource collaboration
Project management efficiency and organization
Project scope definition and refinement
Workflow customization and template creation
Strategic task scheduling and prioritization
Cost management and budgeting accuracy
Resource allocation and optimization
Effective communication and progress updates
Advanced reporting and data analysis
Time management and deadline tracking

More About This Course

Hierarchical Task View: Utilize Gantt charts for task management.
Effective Time Management: Monitor and assign time for each task.
Mastering Microsoft Project 2021: Enhance your project management skills effortlessly.
Scope Refinement: Define comprehensive project outcomes successfully.
Financial Oversight: Obtain holistic financial views with ease.
Comprehensive Guide: Gain insights for modern project management strategies.
Beginner to Expert: Suitable for users of all experience levels.
Project Alignment: Ensure your projects meet objectives and targets.
Flexible Learning: Course tailored for various skill levels.
Enhanced Organization: Streamline your project lifecycle efficiently.

What You'll Achieve

Define and apply the key elements of project management (time, cost, scope) using MS Project to organize and manage project workflows effectively.
Demonstrate the ability to create, organize, and manage tasks in the Gantt chart view of MS Project, including setting dependencies between tasks for effective project management.
Recognize how to navigate the MS Project interface, including locating key components such as the Quick Access Toolbar, Ribbon, and Backstage View.
Demonstrate the process of opening a new project in MS Project by selecting and customizing a blank template.
Define the essential components of a project charter, including purpose, objectives, and budget, to ensure successful project planning and execution.
Create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to plan and visualize project tasks systematically, enhancing efficient management and progress monitoring.
Recognize and demonstrate how to enter tasks using the Gantt Chart view in Project software.
Identify and describe the process of importing Outlook tasks into a project plan within Project software.
Define and differentiate between six types of views in Microsoft Project, including Gantt Chart, Resource Sheet, and Team Planner.
Demonstrate proficiency in navigating and switching between different views using the View tab and ribbon menu options in Microsoft Project.
Define the different types of calendars in MS Project and explain their roles in project scheduling.
Demonstrate how to modify a resource calendar to include exceptions for non-standard working days in MS Project.
Define and create summary tasks and subtasks in a project management software to effectively organize and streamline project workflows.