Overview

Microsoft Project is the most widely used project management software in the world. Part of Microsoft's 365 ecosystem of software apps, it's designed to help Project Managers (PMs) create a schedule, define work tasks and resources, track progress, stay on budget, and monitor the status of activities.

It's a powerful and highly effective tool used by managers, project leads, and supervisors to successfully plan, organize, and execute projects of all shapes and sizes. In fact, anybody who's responsible for planning and implementing a job, from writing and checking off a shopping list to manufacturing the next generation of aircraft carriers, can benefit from an understanding of how Project can be used to get things done and stay on top of the job.

This 90-minute webinar provides an introductory overview of MS Project, its key capabilities, features, tools, and functions. It is intended for those who are new to Project and have never used the software before, but it's also for those who may have some basic familiarity and want a refresher. It will be helpful for those who only need to make use of a few basic functions Project has to offer, but who would also like an overview of the full scope and complexity the tool is capable of.

As with any tool, Project is most effective when its user has a clear understanding of its capabilities and how they relate to the user's own unique needs.

We'll begin with a brief exploration of Project's place in the current landscape of project management software, and a comparison with its major competitors. In this introduction we’ll also cover some differences between the latest versus previous versions of Project, including its browser-, desktop-, and cloud-based applications.

Following a walk-through of Project's interface and navigation features, the bulk of the session will explore the most commonly used and widely-applicable features of the application, including: setting up a schedule; creating work tasks; loading resources; monitoring task execution; and adjusting your schedule based on performance. We'll include real-life examples, "how-to" job aids, tips & tricks, and useful shortcuts.

The webinar will conclude with a review of Project's capabilities to visualize and present your schedule, as well as reporting and exporting options, collaboration tools, and compatibility with other applications.

Why you should Attend

It's not an exaggeration to say that Microsoft Project is considered the industry standard project management software throughout the world. Despite being first released more than 30 years ago, the latest version of Project is still widely used by large, mid-sized, and small businesses, beating out a growing field of competitors including Jira, Trello, Smartsheet, and Monday. In fact, data shows that adoption of MS Project among US businesses is growing.

Companies use Project because of its versatility, stability, wealth of features, and integration with the wider ecosystem of Microsoft products. Regardless of what industry you're in, if you're responsible for successfully planning, executing, and managing a project, then you will benefit from a solid grasp of MS Project. Gaining even a basic proficiency in Project will give you a competitive advantage within your organization and on the job market.

In many organizations, proficiency in Project is a preferred (if not a required) skill for leadership positions. Whether or not you have a personal preference for other tools, being competent in MS Project will give you better prospects for career advancement.

The power of MS Project comes from its versatile application to all stages of the project lifecycle; from planning to execution, from monitoring and controlling to successful delivery. Whether you're a multi-billion-dollar corporation engineering the next commercial airliner or a local non-profit planning a pot-luck fundraiser, Project is a powerful tool that aligns with the core tenets of successful project management.

The problem for most first-time users of MS Project is its sheer scale and complexity. It's an incredibly powerful, feature-rich, and notoriously confusing application and most of us only need to use a fraction of its full toolset. How do we wrangle this monster to find and master just the specific features we need?

Areas Covered in the Session

• Introduction: The benefits of using scheduling software
• The landscape: An overview of scheduling tools on the market
• MS Project core features and discriminators
• Learning your way around: Interface and navigation
• Planning and creating you project schedule:
  • Setting up work activities, sequencing, and networking
  • Resource loading and leveling: Assigning people to activities
  • Establishing a baseline
  • Managing and controlling your schedule
  • Critical Path and Critical Chain
  • Schedule compression techniques
  • Views and Reports: Options for displaying and visualizing your schedule
  • Communication, collaboration, and co-authoring
• How Project fits within the MS 365 ecosystem; Inputs, outputs, and compatibility
• Exporting schedules for use outside the MS suite

Who Will Benefit

• Project and Program Managers
• Assistant Project Managers
• Aspiring Project Managers
• Project Leads
• Task Leads
• Team Leads
• and Functional/Competency Leads