Project Task Management

This one and half day course introduces participants to Microsoft Project (Desktop Application) and provides practical skills for planning and managing projects. The course commences with an overview of the interface, how project data is organized, and tips for navigating efficiently using keyboard and mouse shortcuts. Participants will learn how to set up a new project, adjust default settings, and use calendars to define working time.

The course then focuses on building a project schedule by entering tasks, splitting and summarising them, linking dependencies, and applying deadlines. Learners will format Gantt charts for better visibility, assign resources, and review the overall plan to ensure accuracy. Cost tracking, baseline setting, and progress monitoring are also covered to help manage budgets and timelines effectively.

In the final session, participants explore advanced tools such as using hyperlinks for documentation, managing views with the Organizer, and consolidating multiple projects. By the end of the course, attendees will be able to confidently use Microsoft Project to plan, track, and report on real-world projects with clarity and control.

Anyone who wants to gain more confidence in using Project. Maybe you’ve just started using it in your new role or perhaps you’ve been using it for years but aren’t sure if you’re doing things the ‘right’ way. This course will give you the foundational skills and confidence you need to start using Project effectively.

Ideal for Project Managers, Coordinators, Team Leads, and professionals involved in project planning and execution.

Microsoft Project requires good PC skills. For this course students must have:

• Understanding of basic Windows operations such as open/save/close files, cut/copy/paste.
• A working knowledge of a least one other Windows product for example: Excel or Word.
  
  

This course is designed to teach you how to set up a project from the very beginning, how to shedule tasks efficiently as well as formatting a variety of views, baselining and reporting.

This hands-on course allows you to work with your own projects. You’ll leave the course with:

• A soft copy of your own project plan in MS Project
• Dos and do nots for using Microsoft Project

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft Project

• Overview of Microsoft Project Desktop
• Navigating the Microsoft Project Window
• How Project Holds and Displays Your Data
  (Views, tables, filters, and data structure)

Module 2: Interface Essentials

• Keyboard and Mouse Essentials
  (Shortcuts, selection techniques, drag-and-drop features)
  

Module 3: Project Setup

• Creating a new project
• Setting up project information and default options
• Using Project Calendars
  (Base calendars, working time, exceptions)

Module 4: Task Management

• Entering tasks and durations
• Splitting tasks and managing interruptions
• Summarising tasks using summary and milestone tasks
• Linking tasks and applying deadlines
  (Dependencies, constraints, and deadlines)

Module 5: Visualising the Schedule

• Formatting a Gantt Chart
  (Bar styles, layout, gridlines, timescale)

Module 6: Resource Management

• Assigning resources to each task
  (Work, material, cost resources; resource calendars)

Module 7: Reviewing the Project Plan

• Task paths, critical path, slack
• Resource usage and overallocations
  

Module 8: Cost and Progress Tracking

• Monitoring task costs
  (Rates, cost tables, cost reports)
• Setting the baseline
  (Saving and comparing baselines)
• Tracking progress
  (% complete, actuals, updating tasks)

Module 9: Reporting and Communication

• Producing reports
  (Visual reports, custom reports, exporting to Excel/PDF)

Module 10: Advanced Features

• Using Hyperlinks
  (Linking to documents, websites, and notes)
• Using Organiser
  (Managing views, tables, and styles across files)
• Consolidating Multiple Projects
  (Master projects, subprojects, shared resources)