Microsoft Project for Project Management: Benefits and Tips for Use

Posted on 03/19/2024 by Niko Venev

Microsoft Project's complexity can be overwhelming for even the most seasoned project managers. Thankfully, employing certain software tips and tricks can easily improve your efficiency and productivity to ensure that you complete your projects on time and to your clients' satisfaction.


       

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Use Pen and Paper Before Opening MS Project for Project Management

It may seem counter-intuitive to reach for traditional pen and paper when working with this powerful software, but writing down a basic list of your project's tasks can help you immensely when using Microsoft Project. This is because the software tends to intimidate novices, which can lead to a failure to enter essential project aspects. Outlining your project can give you a big picture overview and help you better understand integral tasks. It can also remind you about dependencies that play a significant part in scheduling and your project's ultimate success.

 

Create a Baseline

One of the benefits of using MS Project for project management is that the software provides tools that allow for easy visualization and planning. If you're someone who likes to maintain as much control over a job as possible, adhere to strict schedules or manage particularly complex projects, consider setting baselines. Baselines help you plan your project's progress. You can reference them to verify that your goals are being met as you work through your project. Additionally, MS Project allows you the option to set baselines for specific tasks, as well, giving you granular control of how your project will unfold.

 

Opt for Auto-Scheduling Tasks

If you're wondering how Microsoft Project can help a project manager, auto-scheduling is definitely one of the most common ways. Manually scheduling tasks can give even the most organized project manager a major headache. As well as being time-consuming, it requires extreme precision so that entire projects don't fall apart due to an inaccurate entry. Fortunately, Microsoft Project offers a reprieve from this drudgery: auto-scheduling. If you switch your task setting to auto-schedule, the dates of any dependent tasks that you have will automatically be changed when you modify the dates of your primary task. To further simplify your job, consider waiting to enter dates and duration estimates until you have fully completed entering your task list and understand their dependencies.

 

Take the Most Appropriate View

A list of tips for managing complex projects with Microsoft Project would be incomplete without the advice to select the best view for your project. Since every project is unique, choosing the right view can give the best possible perspective and help you focus on the specifics of what matters to achieve success. You'll have several particular views from which to assess your project, including:

  • Timeline View
  • Gantt Chart
  • Network Diagram View
  • Calendar View

Since using Microsoft Project for project management successfully can depend on the specific features that you use, the importance of opting for the correct View can't be understated. Within the Timeline View, project managers are afforded a big picture view of a project and can understand a project's current state, modify scheduling and add notations. Project managers who view their project through a Gantt Chart can apply convenient filters to assess a project's status using specific criteria. For example, you can choose to view your project through the lens of duration to identify any delays or resources to see if you need to make any adjustments. The Network Diagram View can appeal to project managers who need clear representation of task dependencies and critical paths to understand the roadmap of a project. Calendar View focuses on providing a view of dates and can help ensure that your project remains on schedule.

 

Learn How to Use Microsoft Project for Project Management

Students and professionals alike can learn how Microsoft Project can help a project manager by reviewing tutorials, but the best way to understand the program's potential is to sign up for Microsoft Project courses. Classes can provide an overview of the software's features and functions and teach them how to use shortcuts to successfully complete a project. At Certstaffix Training, our courses are taught by a live instructor and can are suitable for both beginner and advanced students. Enroll in one of our classes today to find out how learning MS Project can make your project management tasks easier and your working hours more productive.

 



 


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