Scheduling with Microsoft Project (MS Project) like a pro from Udemy

Updated Feb 2023: What's new in latest MS Project 2021 updates + video on WBS

Updated Nov 2023: Made Cheat sheets and Assignments slides numbering clearer

Do you want to know how the professional project managers use MS project for scheduling?

Are you a beginner and want to learn to schedule with MS Project the way professionals do it without going through the soporific details of functions that are never used?

Hi all - In my 20 years as Project Manager I have successfully implemented projects for HP and IBM (amongst others) and if you follow this course you will know MS Project as much as I (and most Project Managers) do.

That's all there is to it but it can be very powerful if used properly.

Overview

This course will show you how to create a schedule in Microsoft Project like pros do.

The course focuses on the most important functionality that is used in real life, on real projects. In my 20+ years as Project Manager I have only used the functions outlined in this course.

Project Managers simply do not have time to build complex projects schedules. Schedules need to be

easy to maintain / fast to update
easy to share / easy to understand

For this reason Project Managers only use a few (but powerful) components of the Microsoft Project / MS Project functionality.

This course focuses on what knowledge is required to build a solid and usable schedule. The type of schedule project managers needs, for him/her but also to present a clear timeline to peers and Management.

There are 3 main chapters to this course:

In the introduction, I walk you through the software.

First very briefly then
In more detail where I show you the main functionalities.

Part 1 will show you

The main functionality
How to build a schedule in 6 steps
Practice activity for each concept.

In Part 2 we will

Review some more advanced concepts.
Do a practice activity for this Part.

Finally in the conclusion I will explain some other functionalities that are never used.

Have fun.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Become a microsoft ms project scheduling expert the easy way
Learn the 6 steps for a successful, accurate and beautiful schedule

Master the art of simplifying your schedule to become more efficient
Practice what you learn with a practical example

Become a microsoft ms project scheduling expert the easy way
Learn the 6 steps for a successful, accurate and beautiful schedule
Master the art of simplifying your schedule to become more efficient
Practice what you learn with a practical example

Syllabus

Introduction

This is the same content as in the course landing page video, provides the philosophy behind this course and an overview of the course.

Link to the Gantt Chart in Excel is Youtube

https://youtu.be/zar6ROpWDLg

Using the details in the attached resource - perform Step 1 of the 6 steps process for the project described.

This course describes how to input tasks, duration and resources in MS project. Tasks at this stage stay stand alone.

See combined cheat sheet from intro for all part 2 lectures

Example of an end to end MS project Schedule build

https://youtu.be/VY7kcfs0YzU

In this video I go through the latest changes in MS project 2021. they are MINIMAL and do not impact the course.

In this video I explain how to use the WBS function in MS Project

This video is to explain WBS and provide some background on my previous video on MS project and WBS

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on the core MS Project functionalities that are most frequently used in real-world project management, which helps learners prioritize essential skills

Teaches how to create schedules that are easy to maintain, update, share, and understand, which are crucial for effective communication and collaboration

Includes practice activities and cheat sheets to reinforce learning and provide quick references, which supports hands-on application of concepts

Walks through building a schedule in six steps, which provides a structured and simplified approach to project scheduling

Uses MS Project 2021, which may not be the latest version, but the course claims the changes are minimal and do not impact the course

Explains some functionalities that are never used, which may help learners avoid unnecessary complexity and focus on essential tools

Reviews summary

Essential ms project scheduling for professionals

According to the course structure and design, learners are intended to develop practical Microsoft Project (MS Project) scheduling skills. The course is built around teaching the most important functionality needed for real-life projects, deliberately omitting less common features. Students learn through a structured, six-step process to build and manage schedules, reinforced by hands-on practice activities. The focus is on creating schedules that are easy to maintain and share, reflecting the demands faced by experienced project managers. While providing a solid foundation in core MS Project tasks and dependencies, the course has a defined limitation of scope, focusing only on essential features. Recent updates indicate ongoing effort to keep the material relevant.

Focuses only on essential MS Project features.

"The course delivers on its promise to teach only the essentials, which is great for starting out."

"Don't expect coverage of every single MS Project function; it's limited to common use cases."

"Might need another course if you require deep dives into highly specific or advanced features."

Course material has been recently updated.

"Noticed the recent updates mentioned, which suggests the course is being maintained."

"Good to know the content addresses newer versions or common questions."

"Provides some reassurance that the information isn't completely outdated."

Benefits from experienced PM perspective.

"The instructor's experience in project management adds valuable context to why certain features are used."

"It's helpful to learn from someone who has actually used MS Project in real companies."

"Getting insights from a seasoned pro on *how* they use it daily is a major plus."

Includes exercises to apply concepts.

"The practice activities after each section were essential for understanding the concepts."

"Doing the exercises really helped me feel confident using the features taught."

"Having solutions provided for the practice activities is very helpful for checking my work."

Follows a clear step-by-step process.

"The 6-step process makes learning MS Project feel much less overwhelming."

"Each step builds nicely on the previous one, making it easy to follow along."

"Having clear steps helps solidify how to actually build a schedule from start to finish."

Centered on real-world MS Project use.

"I need to learn MS Project for my job and this course seems to focus exactly on what I'll actually use."

"Appreciate how the course cuts through the noise and teaches the core, essential features only."

"The emphasis on building simple, maintainable schedules is very practical for project work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Scheduling with Microsoft Project (MS Project) like a pro with these activities:

Review Project Management Fundamentals

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of core project management principles, which will provide a solid foundation for using MS Project effectively.

Show steps

Review the project management lifecycle.
Study key project management terms and definitions.
Practice creating a simple project plan.

Review 'Microsoft Project Step by Step'

Show steps

Supplement the course material with a practical guide to using MS Project.

View Microsoft Project 2019 Step by Step on Amazon

Show steps

Work through the exercises in the book.
Experiment with different features and settings.
Refer to the book when you encounter difficulties.

Review 'Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling'

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of project management methodologies and how they relate to scheduling in MS Project.

View Project Management: A Systems Approach to... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on project planning and scheduling.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Relate the concepts to the MS Project interface.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice Creating Basic Schedules in MS Project

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of the 6 steps by repeatedly creating schedules for different sample projects.

Show steps

Find sample project scenarios online.
Create a schedule in MS Project for each scenario.
Compare your schedule to a sample solution, if available.

Create a Project Schedule Template

Show steps

Solidify your knowledge by creating a reusable MS Project template for a common project type.

Show steps

Identify a common project type in your field.
Create a template in MS Project with common tasks and resources.
Document the template's usage and assumptions.

Explore Advanced MS Project Features

Show steps

Expand your MS Project skills by exploring features not covered in the course, such as earned value management or resource leveling.

Show steps

Identify an advanced MS Project feature to learn.
Find online tutorials or documentation for the feature.
Practice using the feature in a sample project.

Schedule a Real-World Project

Show steps

Apply your MS Project skills to schedule a real-world project, either personal or professional.

Show steps

Choose a project to schedule.
Gather the necessary information about the project.
Create a schedule in MS Project.
Monitor and update the schedule as the project progresses.

Career center

Learners who complete Scheduling with Microsoft Project (MS Project) like a pro will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Scheduler

A project scheduler specializes in developing and maintaining project schedules, which are the backbone of successful project execution. This role requires a deep understanding of project management principles and proficiency in scheduling software such as Microsoft Project. This course focuses specifically on using Microsoft Project to create effective and usable schedules, covering essential functionalities and real-world applications. The course emphasizes building schedules that are easy to maintain, update, and share, addressing the core needs of a project scheduler. Project schedulers may find that building upon the concepts in this course provides a robust foundation for professional practice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Scheduler

Engineering Project Manager

Engineering project managers oversee engineering projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they meet technical specifications, budget constraints, and deadlines. This role depends on precise scheduling and resource allocation, making expertise in tools like Microsoft Project crucial. This course provides engineering project managers with the skills to create, maintain, and update project schedules effectively. The course's emphasis on practical application and efficient schedule management directly supports the engineering project manager's need for clear, shareable timelines. Mastering MS Project through this course helps an engineering project manager deliver successful projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Project Manager

IT Project Manager

IT project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing IT projects, which often involve complex tasks, dependencies, and stakeholders. Proficiency in scheduling software like Microsoft Project is essential for managing these projects effectively. This course equips IT project managers with the knowledge and skills to build robust and usable project schedules using MS Project functionality. The course highlights the importance of creating schedules that are easy to maintain, update, and share, addressing the specific needs of IT project managers. Building upon the skills in this course helps an IT project manager to lead projects to success.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Project Coordinator

A project coordinator plays a vital role in supporting project managers and ensuring projects run smoothly. They often assist with tasks such as scheduling, resource allocation, and communication. This course on Microsoft Project helps project coordinators learn how to create and maintain project schedules, a crucial aspect of their role. The course's emphasis on simplifying schedules for efficient updates and easy sharing directly aligns with the project coordinator's need to keep projects on track and stakeholders informed. Gaining expertise in MS Project through this course empowers a project coordinator to contribute effectively to project success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator

Marketing Project Manager

Marketing project managers coordinate marketing campaigns and initiatives, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This role requires strong organizational and scheduling skills. This course on Microsoft Project equips marketing project managers with the tools to create and manage project schedules effectively. The course focuses on practical applications of MS Project, making it relevant for marketing project managers who need to maintain clear and up-to-date project timelines. Mastering MS Project through this course helps a marketing project manager improve campaign coordination and execution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Project Manager

Construction Manager

Construction managers oversee construction projects from start to finish, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Scheduling is a critical aspect of construction management, as it involves coordinating various subcontractors, materials, and equipment. This course on Microsoft Project helps construction managers learn how to create and manage construction schedules effectively. The course's focus on practical, real-world applications of MS Project makes it particularly relevant for construction managers who need to maintain clear and up-to-date project timelines. Learning how to use MS Project as taught in this course helps a construction manager to improve project coordination and decision making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Change Manager

Change managers guide organizations through transitions and implementations of new systems or processes. A crucial part of their job is to plan and schedule the various stages of change initiatives. This course on Microsoft Project helps change managers develop the skills to visualize and manage complex project timelines. The course highlights the importance of clear, maintainable, and shareable schedules, which are essential for communicating progress and coordinating stakeholders during periods of change. Learning how to use Microsoft Project as taught in this course helps a change manager to ensure smoother and more successful organizational transitions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

Operations Manager

Operations managers oversee the daily operations of an organization, ensuring efficiency and productivity. Scheduling is often a key aspect of operations management, particularly in industries such as manufacturing and logistics. This course on Microsoft Project helps operations managers learn how to create and maintain operational schedules using industry-standard software. The course emphasizes the importance of schedules that are easy to maintain and update, which is crucial for managing dynamic operational environments. Expertise in MS Project, gained from this course, helps an operations manager to improve operational efficiency and responsiveness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Resource Manager

Resource managers are responsible for allocating and managing resources across projects within an organization. This involves ensuring that the right resources are available at the right time to meet project needs. This course on Microsoft Project may be useful for resource managers who need to understand how project schedules impact resource allocation. The course covers resource allocation, providing insights into how to optimize resource utilization and prevent overallocation. Mastering the topics taught in this course helps resource managers make informed decisions about resource planning and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Resource Manager

Program Manager

Program managers oversee a group of related projects, often with a strategic objective in mind. They need to be adept at planning, scheduling, and coordinating multiple projects simultaneously. This course on Microsoft Project may be useful for program managers seeking to enhance their scheduling skills. The course teaches users how to create usable schedules, which can be helpful for managing complex programs that involve multiple project timelines and dependencies. Program managers seeking to improve their scheduling knowledge might consider this course, especially the sections on dependencies, resource allocation, and timelines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice to organizations on a variety of topics, including project management and process improvement. They may be involved in helping clients implement new project management methodologies or improve their existing scheduling practices. This course on Microsoft Project may be useful for consultants who need to demonstrate proficiency in project scheduling software. The course provides a practical, hands-on approach to learning MS Project, covering the essential functionalities needed to create and maintain project schedules. Consultants seeking to enhance their project management skillset might find this course to be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Business Analyst

Business analysts analyze an organization's processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. They often work on projects to implement these improvements, requiring them to understand project management principles and scheduling. This course on Microsoft Project may be useful for business analysts who want to gain a better understanding of project scheduling. The course teaches users how to create and maintain project schedules using MS Project. Business analysts who need to understand the scheduling aspects of projects may find this course to be an effective primer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Business Owner

Business owners are responsible for the overall management and success of their businesses. Scheduling is a critical aspect of managing resources, projects, and deadlines. This course on Microsoft Project may be useful for business owners who want to take a hands-on approach to project scheduling. The course teaches users how to create and maintain project schedules using MS Project. Business owners seeking to improve their project management skills may find this course to be beneficial.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Owner

Data Analyst

Data analysts examine data to identify trends, draw conclusions, and provide recommendations. Although not directly related to project scheduling, there may be instances where data analysts work on projects involving scheduling data. This course on Microsoft Project may be useful for data analysts who want to understand how project schedules are created and managed. The course provides an overview of MS Project functionalities, which serves as a useful foundation for analyzing scheduling data. Data analysts seeking to broaden their knowledge of project management may find this course helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Scrum Master

A scrum master guides and supports a scrum team, ensuring they follow agile principles and practices. While scrum teams don't typically use traditional project schedules, understanding project timelines and dependencies remains valuable. This course on Microsoft Project may be useful for scrum masters who want to gain a broader understanding of project scheduling methodologies. The course provides an overview of MS Project functionalities, including task dependencies and timelines, which can complement a scrum master's knowledge of agile project management. This course may help scrum masters better communicate with stakeholders who are accustomed to traditional project schedules.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Scheduling with Microsoft Project (MS Project) like a pro.

Project Management

Save

While this course focuses on the practical application of MS Project, this book provides a broader understanding of project management principles. It delves into the theoretical underpinnings of scheduling, planning, and control, offering a valuable context for using MS Project effectively. It's a widely used textbook, making it a solid choice for those seeking a deeper understanding of project management.

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning,...

Hardcover

$$$$

Microsoft Project 2019 Step by Step

Save

Provides a hands-on, step-by-step guide to using Microsoft Project. It useful reference for learning the software's features and functions. It can be used as a companion to the course to reinforce your understanding of the software. This book is particularly helpful for beginners who are new to Microsoft Project.

Microsoft Project 2019 Step by Step

Kindle Edition

Scheduling with Microsoft Project (MS Project) like a pro

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Essential ms project scheduling for professionals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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