Master Microsoft Project in 20 MINUTES! (FREE COURSE)

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you master Microsoft Project in just 20 minutes. By following these step-by-step instructions, you will learn how to create a project, input tasks, define durations, manage resources, and handle costs effectively. This guide is particularly useful for project managers and anyone looking to enhance their project management skills using Microsoft Project.

Step 1: Create a Project

• Open Microsoft Project.
• Click on "File" and select "New."
• Choose a blank project or a template that fits your needs.
• Set your project start date by clicking on the "Project" tab, then "Project Information."
• Input your project's name in the title field.

Step 2: Input Tasks

• Navigate to the Gantt Chart view by selecting it from the View tab.
• In the first column, enter the name of your tasks.
• Press "Enter" after each task to add more.
• To create subtasks, indent tasks by selecting them and using the "Indent Task" button in the Task tab.

Step 3: Define Task Durations

• Click on the "Duration" column next to each task.
• Input the duration for each task using days, weeks, or months (e.g., "5 days").
• Ensure that durations reflect realistic time estimates to avoid project delays.

Step 4: Define Predecessors and Dependencies

• To establish task relationships, locate the "Predecessors" column.
• Enter the task ID of the preceding task. This indicates that the task cannot start until the predecessor is complete.
• Use different types of dependencies (Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, etc.) according to your project needs.

Step 5: Manage Resources

• Click on the "Resource" tab and select "Resource Sheet."
• Input the names of resources (people, equipment, materials) needed for your project.
• Define the type of each resource (work, material, or cost).
• Assign resources to tasks by going back to the Gantt Chart view and selecting the "Resource Names" column.

Step 6: Handle Cost Management

• In the "Resource Sheet," define the cost associated with each resource by entering the cost per use or per hour.
• Track total project costs by using the "Cost" column in the Gantt Chart.
• Monitor and adjust the budget as needed throughout the project lifecycle.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have learned how to create a project, input tasks, define durations, manage resources, and handle costs in Microsoft Project. Practice using these features with the free exercise file available at the provided link. For further learning, consider exploring additional resources and courses mentioned in the video description to deepen your project management skills.