Managing Projects with Microsoft Project Server 2010

Microsoft Project Server 2010 takes project management to the next level. In this course we will learn to use Microsoft Project 2010 Pro in the Microsoft Project Server 2010 environment creating a truly collaborative project management information system. Build projects at your desk top using the all new Microsoft Project 2010 Pro client and publish your project information and task assignments to the Project Server 2010 databases. Resources will automatically be notified of task assignments through Outlook. Task status will be updated by the resource using the intuitive web based interface to the Project Server. Managers will be able to view project status, task status and resource allocation across the entire enterprise.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Understanding the Project and Project Server architecture
• Understanding and modifying the Microsoft Project interface
• Understanding the Microsoft Project Server interface
• Setting Microsoft Project Options to best reflect the way you manage projects
• Creating and understanding complex task relationships
• Managing deliverable dates using Critical Path Methodology
• Understanding the relationship between Task Type and Resource Assignment
• Understanding the difference between Duration and Work
• Creating custom fields to identify and analyze specific tasks
• Using custom formulas to find and highlight potential problems
• Creating graphical indicators to track and view variances
• Creating Ad Hoc views using interactive filters
• Developing custom reports
• Viewing resource over allocations within a single project
• Viewing resource over allocation across all of the enterprise projects
• Understanding the process of updating projects within a project
• Understanding the process of updating project through the Project Server website
• Using Project Server websites for collaborative project management
• Creating and Managing project Risks and Issues
• Publishing project related documents to the project website
• Exporting data to Excel and other Microsoft applications

This course is intended for the following audience: :

Everyone who manages projects using Microsoft Project 2010 should take this course. This course is designed to meet the needs of project managers, project schedulers and anyone who will touch the project schedule.

Microsoft Project 2010 Within the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Fourth Edition Process

I. Initiating Process

The Project Charter Behind the Schedule The Core Team's Role in Building the Schedule

II. Planning Process

1. Scope Planning

• Reviewing the Class Project Scope
• Opening the Class Project from a template
• Understanding the MS Project Screen
• Working with Ribbons
• Using Mini-Toolbars
• Applying Keyboard Shortcuts
• Displaying the Entry Bar
• Setting Microsoft Project Options
• Entering the Project Start Date
• Understanding the Project Calendar
• Using Custom Fields
• Creating a Value Lists
• Creating a Custom Formula and Indicator Field
• Hiding Columns in a Table
• Add Tasks to Class Project
• Options for Saving the Project

2. Developing the Work Breakdown Structure

• Formatting the WBS
• Viewing the WBS at a Summary Level

3. Activity Sequencing

• Manual vs. Automatic Scheduling
• Rules of Logic and Dependencies
• Using Dependencies
• Choosing the Right Dependencies
• Creating Task Dependencies in the Class Project
• Linking Tasks in the Entry Table
• Linking Sequential Tasks
• Linking Noncontiguous Tasks
• Using the Predecessor / Successor Form to Link Tasks
• Linking Tasks Graphically
• Activity Duration Estimating
• Enter Durations for Class Project

4. Managing the Schedule Timeline

• Determining the Critical Path
• Create a Custom Gantt Chart View and Table
• Showing Critical Path
• Format the Current Date Gridline
• Using the Timeline Feature in the Gantt Chart View
• Using Standard Filters
• Using AutoFilters
• Custom Filters: Filtering for a Key Word
• Interactive Custom Filters: Filtering for Tasks by Core Team
• Custom Filters: Filtering for Dangling Tasks
• Setting Task Constraints
• Eliminate Schedule Constraints
• Grouping Tasks
• Optimize the Task Schedule
• Changing the Logic of the Class Project
• Scheduling with the Task Form
• Overlap Tasks with Finish-to-Finish Relationship
• Overlapping Tasks with Start-to-Start Relationships
• Case Study #1 Building & Compressing a Schedule Working in groups students will be given a set of tasks and a project deadline to meet. Using MS Project each group will create a schedule that illustrates their approach to managing the project to meet the deadline.

5. Resource Planning

• Using Resources from the Enterprise Resource Pool
• Assigning Team Members to Tasks
• Using the Team Planner View
• View Resource Allocations in the Resource Graph
• Viewing Over Allocated Resources within a project
• Viewing Over Allocated Resources across the enterprise
• Using the Team Planner View
• Resource Leveling Tool and how it Works
• Create a Leveled Resource Indicator Field
• Remove the Effects of Leveling
• Options for Optimizing Resource Schedules
• Replacing a Resource
• View New Over Allocations
• Change a Task Calendar to Optimize the Schedule
• Freeze the Baseline
• Case Study #2 Resolving Resource Conflicts Students will be given a project with tasks durations and links. Using MS Project. Working in groups they will be required to assign resources, view resource over allocations and resolve resource issues.

III. Executing Process

1. Reporting from the Project Pro client 2. Reporting from the Project Server 3. Resource Usage Reports 4. Visual Reports 5. Reporting in Excel 6. Reporting in Word 7. Reporting in PowerPoint

IV. Controlling Process

1. Performance Reporting Updating Tasks

• View the Updated Schedule in the Project Server Project Center
• Save the Updated Schedule and Interim Plan
• Using the Project Server collaborative website
• Creating and managing Risks
• Creating and managing Issues
• Publishing Documents

V. Closing Process

1. Administrative Closure

2. Administrative Backup

3. Create a Project Template

Students should have a basic understanding of the principles of project management.