Milestone PPM using Microsoft Project and Project Server (2016)

Course Duration: 3 Days

Course Overview

This course is a hands-on class that integrates the use of Microsoft Project Professional, Microsoft Project Web App, and Project Server or Project Online. The course provides students with a detailed understanding of the core foundation of Microsoft Project based on globally accepted principles for project management and proven Microsoft Project best practices. Students will learn best practices for initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing projects by assuming the roles of Project Manager and Project Team Member throughout the course.

The course is paired with the “Managing Non-Projects” module prepared by Milestone to give a more complete view of the Project Portfolio Management suite of tools. The Milestone course is designed for all levels of Microsoft Project experience. Prospective students should have good computer skills and a basic understanding of project management. Previous exposure to the Microsoft Project desktop tool is beneficial.

Learning Objectives

• To discuss the core foundation of Microsoft Project, and to describe skills to build upon that foundation
• To use Microsoft Project in applicable phases of a normal project life cycle
• To use Project Web App for initiating, tracking, updating, analysis, and reporting
• To discuss basic principles of project management

Business Outcomes

• Manage projects more efficiently by correctly using Microsoft Project and Project Web App
• Increase organizational project management maturity through proven project management and Microsoft Project best practices
• Improve the return on investment made in Microsoft Project and Project Web App by the organization

Course Structure

This course is designed to maximize the educational experience through a structured learning process. Each lesson will begin with a group discussion regarding the topic at hand, followed by an instructor demonstration of Microsoft Project and/or Project Web App where necessary. At specific points throughout the course, students will complete hands-on exercises to reinforce lesson objectives. Some of the hands-on exercises will be worked with the instructor, while others will be completed independently. Some of the exercises only provide broad directions, although the complete step by step solutions are provided in an appendix.

Target Audience

This course is designed for anyone who uses Project Professional and Project Server (or Project Online) to assist in managing projects.

Prerequisites

Students taking this class should have the following background:

• Basic computer and software skills, in particular familiarity with Microsoft Windows
  and Microsoft Office applications.
• Exposure to project management is helpful, but not required.

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Getting Started

• Project Management Definitions
• Logging on to Microsoft Project
• Fluent User Interface (UI)
• Microsoft Project Data Model
• Microsoft Project Views, Tables, Filters, and Groups

Lesson 2: YJTJ (Your Job Tool’s Job)™

• YJTJ Process and Microsoft Project
• YJTJ – Auto Schedule Mode

Lesson 3: Project Initiation

• Project Initiation in Project Web App (PWA)
• Enterprise Project Types
• Enterprise Project Information

Lesson 4: Task Planning

• Task Planning Step 1: Work Breakdown Structure
• Task Planning Step 2: Activity Sequencing
• Task Planning Step 3: Constraints and Deadlines

Lesson 5: Resource Planning

• Defining Project Resources
• Building the Project Team
• Basic and Custom Resource Information
• Resource Overallocation
• Resource Availability

Lesson 6: Assignment Planning

• Task and Resource Assignments
• Locations for Creating Assignments
• Microsoft Project Scheduling Engine
• Estimated Duration

Lesson 7: Project Baselines

• Baseline Definition
• Working with Baselines

Lesson 8: Project Execution

• Project Execution
• PWA Team Member Tracking
• Updating the Microsoft Project Schedule

Lesson 9: Variance Analysis

• Variance Defined
• Locating Variance in Microsoft Project

Lesson 10: Project Communication

• Project Communication Defined
• Project Center
• Microsoft Project Reporting

Lesson 11: Plan Revision

• Scope Management Defined
• Plan Revision Alternatives
• Introduction to Critical Path

Lesson 12: Project Closure

• Project Closure Defined
• Closing the Microsoft Project Plan

Managing Non-Projects

Course Overview

Microsoft Project is a scheduling tool. Nevertheless, work other than project work can be managed using the PPM toolset. Indeed, it is important to include all work, both project work and non-project work, in a total resource allocation picture. The “Managing Non-Projects” module is a hands-on class that provides best practices for managing work activities that are not true projects, but are part of the overall work for a resource. Project Managers learn about the different types of non-projects and how best to build, staff, and managing this work in the PPM environment.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate how to build a Time Collection Project in PWA, how to staff it, and how to accept actuals
• Demonstrate how to build and manage a Level of Effort project

Business Outcomes

• Manage work more efficiently by correctly using Microsoft Project and Project Web App
• Increase organizational project management maturity through proven project management and Microsoft Project best practices
• Improve the return on investment made in Microsoft Project and Project Web App by the organization

Course Structure

This module will begin with a group discussion regarding the topic at hand, followed by an instructor demonstration of Microsoft Project and/or Project Web App where necessary. Following the discussion, students will complete hands-on exercises to reinforce lesson objectives. Some of the hands-on exercises will be worked with the instructor, while others will be completed independently. Some of the exercises only provide broad directions, although the complete step by step solutions are provided in an appendix.

Target Audience

This course is designed for anyone who uses Project Professional and Project Server (or Project Online) to assist in managing work.

Course Outline

Managing Non-Projects

• Introduction
• Managing Time Collection Projects
  • Initiate the project
  • Add Tasks to the Project
  • Add resources to the project
  • Assign resources to the tasks
  • Project Execution
  • Plan Revision
  • New Team Members
  • Team Members Leave the Team
  • Project Closure
  • Managing Level of Effort Projects
    • Adding Tasks and Resources
    • Creating Assignments
    • Project Execution
    • Revising and Closing an LOE Project
    • Closing Open Tasks

 FAQs

 What's the refund policy?

Cancellations received 14 days or more prior to class will either be refunded 75% of the student fee or can be rescheduled to the next open enrollment class. Cancellations less than 14 days prior to the class will forfeit the student fee. Milestone Consulting Group may need to cancel or reschedule any class not meeting minimum registration requirements. If this occurs, we'll contact you 2 weeks prior to the course start date to reschedule or refund your fees. When a course is cancelled, Milestone Consulting Group assumes no responsibility to refund incidental expenses.