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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

Entering Task Costs
 View > Table: Entry > Cost

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

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

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

8. Generate Relevant Reports

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

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

Thank
You!