Overview of Microsoft Project: How to Use its Features and Benefits to Help Your Business

Posted on 06/18/2023 by Niko Venev

       

Live Microsoft Project Instructor-led Courses

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Project - Level 1 1 day $350
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Self-Paced Microsoft Project eLearning

Course Title Length Price (USD)
Project 2016/2019 eLearning Bundle 6 courses $300
Project 365 eLearning Bundle 6 courses $300
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Project 2016/2019: Part 2 - Advanced 5 courses $150
Project 365: Part 1 - Beginner 5 courses $150
Project 365: Part 2 - Advanced 5 courses $150

Every project manager should consider having Microsoft Project in their arsenal. Simply put, Microsoft Project is software that provides users with numerous ways to conduct project management. With Microsoft Project, you'll be able to easily complete a number of important project management tasks, including but not limited to:

  • Planning projects
  • Creating schedules
  • Managing resources
  • Tracking time
  • Compiling reports
  • Collaborating

Beginners are often interested in finding a simple overview of Microsoft Project, but how to use its features and benefits will depend on the specific tasks you need help with. For example, managing resources and assigning tasks can go hand in hand, and Microsoft Project can streamline both activities. Tracking time can be essential to maintaining a project's momentum, but MS Project can also easily facilitate invoicing and managing payroll. Similarly, the software can help you manage finances.

Microsoft products are ubiquitous in office environments, and a clear benefit of using Microsoft Project is that it can be seamlessly integrated with the other Microsoft products you're already using. Additionally, because its interface is likely to look familiar, it can be fairly easy to learn.

 

Microsoft Project Key Features

Different features are available in Microsoft Project's desktop and online versions, but in general, Microsoft Project's key features include:

  • Project calendars
  • Gantt charts
  • Kanban boards
  • Custom fields
  • Data displays
  • Timeline views

One popular feature that project managers find convenient is the ability to assess their projects through a grid, board, or timeline view. Each view type offers its own advantages and can serve a specific purpose. For instance, the board view is good to refer to when monitoring a project's general status, the timeline view is helpful when scheduling tasks, and the grid view can be essential when project managers want to monitor a project through its task list. Using templates can simplify getting started on a project for those who may be overwhelmed by the software's features or who are new to using it. Assessing your project type can help you determine which features are relevant to your projects and can aid you in deciding on a specific software version to use.

 

Advanced Microsoft Project Features

Because of its complexity, Microsoft Project's inherent features are often considered advanced. The intricate nature of its project planning capabilities often places it leagues above other project management software, especially free tools. When individuals ask, "What are the core features of Microsoft Project?" its ability to facilitate collaboration is often one of the first characteristics mentioned. This is because it's essential for project managers and team members to stay on the same page throughout a project's life. Along with monitoring statuses and tracking progress, the schedules and task lists can also be modified and updated to reflect project needs, which can save time, reduce confusion, and increase productivity.

In the most technical of senses, advanced Microsoft Project features can include functionality like:

  • Modifying non-working time
  • Adding details to schedules, tasks, resources, and assignments
  • Customizing key features like fields, tables, and filters
  • Accounting for variances
  • Managing multiple projects
  • Integrating data with other software

 

Learn Microsoft Project With Hands-On Training

By far, the best way to learn how to use Microsoft Project's features is to enroll in high-quality courses designed to introduce beginners to the software. The advanced nature of Microsoft Project can make it challenging for novices to understand the software's capabilities on their own without some structured guidance from a knowledgeable professional. At Certstaffix Training, we've created several Microsoft Project classes that can help acquaint you with the basic and advanced features of this essential project management program. Our courses can be taught by a live instructor online or on-site, or you can opt for the e-learning option to be completed on your own schedule. Either way, after finishing our Microsoft Project courses, you'll be able to plan, manage, and organize your projects from start to finish with the ease of an experienced professional.

 




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Public instructor-led Microsoft Project course prices start at $350 per student. Group training discounts are available.

Self-Paced Microsoft Project eLearning courses cost $150 at the starting point per student. Group purchase discounts are available.







 

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