Mastering Advanced Project Management
using Microsoft Office Project 2003

PMPs Earn 14 PDUs

Syllabus in PDF Format

Course Overview

Designed for the advanced user or serious novice, Mastering Advanced Project Management teaches techniques for using Microsoft Office Project 2003 pertinent to managing complex projects in mature project management environments. In this course, the special emphasis is on “explaining the mysteries” that often arise with the software, and adding depth and mastery to your software skills.

Target Audience

This course is intended for experienced users of Microsoft Project 2003 who are faced with managing complex projects and work in an organization that demands advanced project management maturity.

Pre-Requisites

Students electing this course should first successfully complete the Establishing a Project Management Foundation using Microsoft Office Project 2003 course. In lieu of this requirement, students must have significant experience using Microsoft Project in all stages of the project life cycle, including defining, planning, executing, and closing a project, along with a high level of proficiency in using the Microsoft Project scheduling engine.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use standard fields in custom Views, Tables, Filters, and Groups
• Control the project schedule using custom calendars
• Manage project risks using PERT Analysis
• Understand the “inner workings” of the Microsoft Project Scheduling Engine
• Use work contours to control the schedule of resource assignments
• Use an administrative project to capture non-project time
• Determine the Critical Path in a project
• Define and use custom fields in custom Views, Tables, Filters, and Groups
• Create and use a master project

Topical Outline

Module 1: Advanced Use of Standard Fields

• Microsoft Project Data Model
• Understanding Fields
• Using Fields with Tables, Filters, and Groups
• Using Standard Fields in Tables
• Using Standard Fields in Filters
• Using Standard Fields in Groups
• Create a New View Using the 4-Step Method

Module 2: Advanced Calendars and Scheduling

• Calendar Types Review
• How Calendars Control the Project Schedule

Module 3: Managing Schedule Risk Using PERT Analysis

• What is Risk Management?
• Using a Risk Management Plan
• Risk Identification
• Risk Quantification
• Risk Response Development
• Risk Monitoring and Control
• Managing Schedule Risk in Microsoft Project 2003
• Using PERT Analysis
• Adding Lag Time on Task Dependencies
• Increasing the Work or Duration

Module 4: Mastering the Scheduling Engine

• The Duration Equation
• Reviewing Task Types
• Understanding Programming Biases
• Reviewing Effort Driven Scheduling
• Comparing Task Duration vs. Task Scheduling

Module 5: Advanced Resource Scheduling

• Understanding Work Contours and Assignment Views
• Using the Task Usage View
• Using the Resource Usage View
• Viewing the Assignment Information Dialog
• Applying Work Contours for Assignment Scheduling
• Using Work Contours: An Example
• Using Resource Assignments in Administrative Projects

Module 6: Critical Path Analysis

• What is the Critical Path?
• Identifying the Critical Path in a Project
• Understanding Slack and the Critical Path
• Understanding Late Start, Late Finish, and the Critical Path
• Analyzing Nearly Critical Tasks
• Constraints, Deadline Dates, and the Critical Path

Module 7: Leveling Resource Overallocations

• What is Resource Overallocation?
• What is Leveling?
• Using a Leveling Methodology
• Determine IF an Overallocation Exists
• Determine WHERE an Overallocation Exists
• Determine WHETHER You Need to Level the Overallocation
• Methods for Leveling Overallocations
• Leveling with Microsoft Project 2003
• Microsoft Project 2003 Leveling Options
• Leveling Calculations Options
• Leveling Range Options
• Resolving Overallocations Options
• Leveling Order
• Additional Leveling Options
• Restricting Resource Leveling
• Using the Can Level Field
• Using the Task Priority Field

Module 8: Defining and Using Custom Fields

• Overview of Custom Fields
• Defining Custom Fields
• Using a Value List in a Custom Field
• Using a Formula in a Custom Field
• Using Graphical Indicators in a Custom Field
• Defining Custom Outline Codes
• Deleting a Custom Field or Outline Code
• Creating a Custom Filter

Module 9: Using Master Projects

• What is a Master Project?
• Creating a Master Project
• Using an Alternate Method to Create a Master Project
• Using the Inserted Project Information Dialog
• Setting Cross Project Dependencies
• Viewing External Dependencies
• Setting Cross Project Linking Options