Microsoft Project Essentials Training Course

Introduction

Microsoft Project Essentials is a foundational training course designed for individuals looking to gain practical knowledge and skills in managing projects using Microsoft Project. As one of the most widely used project management software, Microsoft Project offers powerful tools that can help project managers plan, execute, and monitor projects with efficiency and ease. This course will guide participants through the essential features and functionalities of Microsoft Project, empowering them to take full advantage of the software’s capabilities to optimize project performance, deliverables, and outcomes.

The course introduces participants to creating, managing, and tracking projects with Microsoft Project, focusing on essential project management concepts such as task allocation, resource management, scheduling, and project tracking. By the end of the training, participants will be equipped with the core skills necessary to effectively utilize Microsoft Project for project planning and execution.

Target Audience

This training course is ideal for:

• Project Managers: Those responsible for overseeing and managing projects who want to enhance their skills in project planning and scheduling.
• Project Coordinators: Individuals who assist project managers and want to learn how to effectively track and organize project tasks and resources.
• Team Leaders: Those who are managing small teams within a project and need to learn the basics of project management software.
• Business Analysts: Professionals who are involved in the documentation, planning, and execution of projects and want to improve their project management capabilities.
• Anyone Interested in Project Management: Individuals aspiring to pursue a career in project management or looking to learn about project management tools and methodologies.

Course Objectives

By the end of the Microsoft Project Essentials training course, participants will:

Understand the Basics of Project Management:

• Learn the fundamental principles of project management, including project scope, goals, timelines, and deliverables.

Navigate Microsoft Project:

• Gain hands-on experience in navigating the Microsoft Project interface and understand its layout, features, and functionalities.

Create and Manage Projects:

• Learn how to set up and initiate projects, create tasks and milestones, and assign resources to project elements.

Utilize Task and Resource Management:

• Develop skills in task allocation, resource leveling, and managing project timelines with effective scheduling.

Track Project Progress:

• Master the use of tracking tools such as Gantt charts, timelines, and task progress reports to monitor project status.

Create and Interpret Project Reports:

• Learn how to generate and customize various project reports to analyze project performance and make informed decisions.

Optimize Project Scheduling:

• Understand how to create and adjust project schedules efficiently, taking into consideration constraints and dependencies.

Improve Communication and Collaboration:

• Utilize Microsoft Project’s collaboration features to improve communication among project team members and stakeholders.

The course is designed to provide participants with the practical knowledge necessary to manage projects effectively and ensure that their projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards.

DURATION

5 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction to Project Management and Microsoft Project

• Overview of project management concepts
• Introduction to Microsoft Project and its interface
• Key features and functionalities

Project Setup and Configuration

• Creating a new project
• Setting project start dates and calendars
• Defining project properties and preferences

Creating and Organizing Tasks

• Defining project tasks and milestones
• Structuring tasks (summary tasks and sub-tasks)
• Task dependencies and relationships

Scheduling Tasks in Microsoft Project

• Setting task durations and dependencies
• Adjusting task schedules using Gantt charts
• Critical path method (CPM) and task scheduling

Resource Management: Assigning Resources to Tasks

• Adding and managing resources (people, equipment, materials)
• Assigning resources to tasks
• Managing resource availability and usage

Resource Allocation and Leveling

• Understanding resource over-allocation
• Using the Resource Leveling tool to resolve resource conflicts
• Managing resource constraints and optimizing resource utilization

Creating and Managing Task Constraints

• Understanding and applying task constraints
• Setting deadlines, start/finish dates, and other constraints
• Working with flexible and inflexible constraints

Managing Project Costs

• Setting up project cost structures
• Assigning costs to tasks and resources
• Tracking project costs and budget adherence

Creating and Customizing Project Views

• Customizing Gantt charts, task sheets, and calendar views
• Creating and saving custom views
• Using filters and groupings for easier project tracking

Tracking Project Progress and Performance

• Setting baseline and tracking project performance
• Monitoring task completion and milestones
• Analyzing task slippage and variances

Using Project Reports and Dashboards

• Generating reports on project status, tasks, and resources
• Customizing reports for specific needs (e.g., resource usage, cost reports)
• Setting up dashboards for quick project insights

Collaborating and Sharing Project Information

• Using Microsoft Project for team collaboration
• Sharing project files and data with stakeholders
• Synchronizing Microsoft Project with other tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams)

Managing Multiple Projects

• Working with master projects and subprojects
• Consolidating multiple projects into a master project
• Managing interdependencies across multiple projects

Managing Risks and Issues in Projects

• Identifying risks and issues in project planning
• Managing and tracking risks in Microsoft Project
• Mitigating risks and implementing corrective actions

Finalizing the Project and Closing

• Reviewing project progress and final deliverables
• Closing tasks and marking the project as complete
• Archiving and saving project files for future reference

Each of these modules is designed to ensure that participants are fully equipped to manage projects using Microsoft Project, from initiation through to project closure. This training will provide hands-on learning, enabling users to apply their knowledge to real-world project management scenarios.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.