This series of posts is a guide master Microsoft Project 2013 and increase productivity for overall Project Management. The slides contain only the steps to follow allow and getting started with task management. View the whole blog post with explanations: http://deltabahn.com/project-2013-microsoft-project-for-professionals-5-simple-and-practical-steps-to-mastering-task-basics-in-under-30-minutes/

1. Project 2013
Microsoft Project for
Professionals
5 Simple & Practical Steps to Mastering Task Basics in under 30 Minutes
Jakub Marciniak
Solution Consultant
DeltaBahn LLC

2. Agenda
Task
Basics
Insert tasks
Set the task
mode
Estimate
duration
Link the
tasks
Set task
constraints
Task
context
Structure in
summary
tasks
Add
milestones
Add
recurring
tasks
Adjust lag,
lead and
elapsed time
Determine
critical
tasks
Resources Assign
resources
Setup
project
calendar
Adjust
task
types
Reporting Create a
dashboard
Modify the
dashboard
Set up views
Setup
tables

3. 1. Create new project from template

4. 2. The Gantt Chart - Overview
1) Timeline
2a) Outline pane (tasks)
2b) Gantt Chart
Get more space to work
Hide the timeline:

5. 3. Insert Task

6. 4. Analyze the new task created
Name it:
Make sure that new tasks are
created in Auto Scheduled Mode:
Observe the changes of its’ summary task:

7. Explanation: Auto vs Manually Scheduled
Auto Scheduled Manually Scheduled
Schedule is calculated based on
Project Start, Project Finish, Task Dependencies,
Calendar selections, Resource Scheduling
Is not calculated by Project
Uses Duration, Work and Resources for scheduling Is not scheduled by Project
Allows only Numbers for Duration and Work Numbers, date and text can be entered for Duration
and Work
Allows only valid dates for Start and Finish date Numbers, date and text can be entered for Start and
Finish date

8. Explanation: Scenarios
 Less maintenance
 Automatic rescheduling with cascading
effects
 Uncertainty: Not all parameters are defined
 Task is completely independent
Strengths
Auto Scheduled Manually Scheduled
Task parameters are defined Not all parameters are defined
Dependencies and Constraints are defined Task is completely independent

9. 5. Change Task Duration
Change the duration with the arrows:
Select the new task, one task before and after and zoom in on the selected tasks:
The estimated duration is indicated by the question mark
View tab
Or type in, for example “2d”:
You can enter the duration in different
scales. Try to type in
2m = Minutes
2h = Hours
2d = Days
2w = Weeks
2mon = Months

10. 6. Link the tasks together
Select the new task, one task before and after
and link the tasks together:
Task tab:
Observe the adjustments due to linking in the cells highlighted
in light blue:
And the arrows in the Gantt Chart indicating the link:

11. 7. Display the task form for Task Dependencies
View tab:
Select Details and choose the Task Form:
Right-click in a free spot in the Task Form and select Predecessors & Successors:

12. Explanation: Task Dependency Types
Finish-to-Start (FS)
Start-to-Start (SS)
Finish-to-Finish (FF)
Start-to-Finish (SF)
The finish date of the predecessor task
determines the start date of the current task.
Both task start at the same start date.
Both task end at the same finish time.
The start date of the predecessor task
determines the finish date of the current
task.

13. 8. Explore Task Dependencies
Select different task dependencies in the Type column of the Task Form:

14. 9. Constrain a task with a deadline
Double click on a task:
In the Advanced tab, set a “Finish No Later Than” constraint and date:

15. 10. Save your project
File tab:

16. Thank you!
success@deltabahn.com (281) 344-0437 www.deltabahn.com