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If you are planning on using Microsoft Project, you’re in the right place. We’ll be taking a look at the following 8 tips and tricks that you can put to good use. This is a program that you’ll enjoy using even if you are a complete beginner.
While it may be an app that can be a challenge to use, this might be your cheat guide. If you are new to using it, then pay close attention to these tips and tricks below.
Let’s get started:
1. Entering a project date
To begin, you’ll want to enter the project date so you can keep track of how long it went from start to finish. To do this, you can schedule the project date itself using the Project Information tab. This will automatically enter the information provided so you can schedule the start and finish dates.
This will come in handy when you need to get the job done whilst under a deadline.
2. Automated scheduling
Doing things manually doesn’t have to be something you can do. So why not automate it? By default, the setting for scheduling is set to manual.
If you need to automate a change in scheduling of other tasks, all you need to do is make changes to a task preceding an event that you have entered in the program.
As a project manager, you know that changes made to a certain part of the task can happen at any time. So be prepared to make changes if and when possible.
3. Defining the calendar
In Microsoft Project, there are three different calendar formats: Standard, 24 hour, and Night Shift. Each of them has their own timeline and allows you to schedule breaks when needed (with the exception of the 24 hour format).
All you need to do is use the ‘Change Working Times’ options to set up the calendar that you want to use. There are base calendars that you can schedule tasks on. Plus, you can schedule holidays and time off, if necessary.
4. Creating a task list
Of course, a project may be going nowhere without a structured task list. You’ll want to supply every piece of information so you can be able to compile a list of tasks and prioritize them if need be.
Be sure to enter the tasks on the list before they launch. Otherwise, you will be facing a difficult task of changing the list if something happens halfway through a project.
5. Define the task relationships
It’s important to define a working relationship between each of the tasks you put together on the list. Microsoft Project will determine the dates of these tasks after you have defined the relationship of each. Therefore, it is important that you need to define it as specific as possible so you and your team are on the same page.
6. Don’t put dates and duration of tasks at start
The reason for this is that Microsoft Project does the dates for you. So you don’t have to enter them or the duration of the project manually. Once you mark the project complete, the program will take care of the rest.
Remember to properly create the relationship before you move forward with the rest of the project.
7. Make WBS with Indents and Outdents
A WBS will create divisions and subdivisions for better organization. This will be great for reducing any kind of risk while increasing the predictability of the project. The Indent and Outdent desire will be available for creating working packages.
If you are looking to make things more neat and clean, this is a trick that you can take advantage of. The more organized things are, the better.
8. Save the baseline
After putting together the schedule, you’ll want to save the baseline. The baseline will include the original dates. These will be saved and won’t change even if the dates of the project itself do.
Again, schedule changes can occur throughout the project. The baseline will keep the original information in case you need to know the original dates.
Take A Course For Mastering Microsoft Project
If you want to master Microsoft Project, these 8 tips above will be a huge help. On top of that, you should take classes teaching Project for the ultimate Microsoft Project training.
As you use the program, you’ll be able to put it to good use for you and your team. You can rely on Microsoft Project to help keep every project organized and completed on time.
Ready to use it for your first project? Learn the program using our courses and you might master it in no time.
