MS Project course

Lesson 1 • Navigating the MS Project Interface

Explores the ribbon, views, and panels that make up the MS Project workspace. Familiarity with the interface accelerates all hands-on work in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Project Management Concepts Overview

Covers the triple constraint, project lifecycle, and PM terminology as applied in MS Project. Establishes the conceptual management framework needed for all subsequent tool-based learning.

Lesson 3 • Configuring Project Options and Calendar

Teaches how to set working hours, holidays, and global options before scheduling begins. Correct calendar setup is critical for accurate duration and date calculations.

Lesson 1 • Documenting Tasks with Notes and Hyperlinks

Shows how to attach notes, documents, and hyperlinks to tasks for richer project documentation. Embedded information keeps context accessible without leaving the project file.

Lesson 2 • Creating Summary Tasks and Subtasks

Teaches indenting and outdenting to build a multi-level outline that reflects the WBS hierarchy. Proper outlining enables rollup calculations and cleaner management reporting.

Lesson 3 • Entering and Organising Tasks

Covers manual task entry, copy-paste techniques, and importing task lists into the Gantt Chart view. Efficient data entry reduces setup time and minimises errors.

Lesson 4 • Understanding the Work Breakdown Structure

Defines WBS principles and explains how decomposition translates scope into manageable tasks. A solid WBS prevents scope gaps and drives accurate scheduling.

Lesson 1 • Auto-Scheduled vs. Manually Scheduled Tasks

Explains the two scheduling modes and when to use each for maximum planning flexibility. Mixing modes strategically lets planners control critical dates while keeping automation benefits.

Lesson 2 • Working with Recurring Tasks

Demonstrates how to create recurring tasks for meetings, reviews, and periodic activities. Recurring tasks reduce repetitive data entry and keep schedules consistent.

Lesson 3 • Entering Durations in MS Project

Covers duration units, elapsed durations, and the difference between estimated and confirmed values. Correct entry ensures the scheduler interprets task length as intended.

Lesson 1 • Understanding Task Dependencies

Explains the four dependency types and the logic behind sequencing project work. Correct dependency selection prevents scheduling errors and reflects real-world constraints.

Lesson 2 • Using Task Constraints and Deadlines

Explains constraint types and deadline markers and their effect on schedule flexibility. Overuse of hard constraints reduces scheduling agility and can mask critical path issues.

Lesson 3 • Analysing the Network Diagram View

Introduces the Network Diagram to visualise task flow and dependency logic graphically. Network view complements the Gantt Chart for validating schedule logic.

Lesson 4 • Linking Tasks in MS Project

Covers multiple methods for creating, editing, and removing task links in the Gantt and network views. Efficient linking techniques speed up schedule construction and reduce errors.

Lesson 1 • Assigning Resources to Tasks

Demonstrates assigning resources via the Assign Resources dialog and Task Information form. Correct assignments drive effort-based scheduling and cost accumulation.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Effort-Driven Scheduling

Explains how adding or removing resources affects task duration under effort-driven mode. Understanding this behaviour prevents unintended schedule changes during resource adjustments.

Lesson 3 • Identifying and Resolving Overallocations

Uses the Resource Usage view and indicators to find overallocated resources and apply fixes. Resolving overallocations produces a feasible schedule that the team can actually execute.

Lesson 4 • Managing Resource Availability Over Time

Shows how to set availability date ranges and part-time allocations in the resource sheet. Time-phased availability ensures the schedule reflects real staffing constraints.

Lesson 1 • Budget Resources and Project-Level Budgets

Demonstrates creating budget resources and comparing them against planned costs at the project level. Budget resources provide a high-level financial guardrail for the entire project.

Lesson 2 • Setting Up Cost Rates and Fixed Costs

Covers standard rates, overtime rates, cost per use, and fixed task costs in MS Project. Accurate cost configuration is the foundation of reliable budget forecasting.

Lesson 3 • Viewing and Analysing Project Costs

Introduces cost tables, the Cost view, and time-phased cost data in the Task Usage view. Cost visibility enables proactive budget management before issues escalate.

Lesson 1 • Updating Resource Actual Costs

Explains how to enter actual resource costs and override calculated values when needed. Accurate cost actuals ensure financial reports reflect true expenditure.

Lesson 2 • Rescheduling Incomplete Work

Shows how to move uncompleted work past the status date to reflect realistic remaining effort. Rescheduling prevents false schedule optimism and keeps forecasts credible.

Lesson 3 • Establishing a Tracking Strategy

Covers the three main tracking approaches: percent complete, actual work, and status date updates. Choosing the right strategy ensures consistent, meaningful progress data.

Lesson 4 • Entering Actual Data in MS Project

Demonstrates updating tasks using the Tracking toolbar, Task Usage view, and Update Tasks dialog. Accurate data entry keeps the schedule aligned with real-world execution.

Lesson 1 • Customising Views and Tables

Shows how to create, modify, and save custom views and tables for recurring analysis needs. Tailored views reduce manual filtering and speed up routine project reviews.

Lesson 2 • Creating Custom Reports

Teaches how to build custom visual reports using charts, tables, and images in the report designer. Custom reports align project data presentation with organisational standards.

Lesson 3 • Earned Value Management in MS Project

Covers EVM metrics—PV, EV, AC, SPI, CPI—calculated automatically from baseline and actuals. EVM provides objective schedule and cost organisational performance indicators for stakeholder reporting.

Lesson 4 • Critical Path Analysis

Identifies the critical path using the Gantt Chart and Detail Gantt views and explains float. Understanding the critical path focuses management attention on schedule-driving tasks.