A tutorial on MS Project

A tutorial on MS Project James Burns

Outline • Setting up MS Project • Defining Tasks (activity definition) • Activity Subordination (WBS) • Activity Sequencing (network chart) • Determining durations • Determining costs

Setting up MS Project • Your first task should be a PROJECT meta-task • Everything (every other task) should be subordinate to it

Must start with • A list or tasks • Or • A Work Breakdown Structure

Defining Tasks • This process is called Activity Definition • Can do it by developing the WBS down to work packages • Can do it by use of template • Can do it by use of a list • Or just off the top of your head

Bring up MS Project • Start in the Gantt View • Set start date in Project Information box • Can do forward or backward scheduling • Enter task detail in the entry table to the left • Subordinate tasks appropriately • Link Tasks as appropriate

Working from the WBS • WBS’s utilize a standardized numbering scheme • WBS Subordination is indicated to MS Project through indentation • Use the indentation arrow

Click on Project and then Project Information • Brings up this window

Can download add-ons from CriticalTools.Com • To delineate (draw) the WBS • To do PERT • (Neither of which are available within MS Project)

Setting hard and fast task dates • Normally, this is not a good idea • Do this on the entry table

Adding resources • Resource sheet

Determining cost and duration • Must enter the hourly rates of the PROJECT PLAYERS into the RESOURCE SHEET

Tables

Reports

A tutorial on MS Project