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Adding Subprojects
Microsoft Project 2010 lets you create a master project when you work with a complex project consisting of multiple resources; locations; or departments. A master project consists of several subprojects; which are standalone Project files. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to add subprojects to a master project.
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Applying Work Contours
Microsoft Project 2010 provides the Work Contour feature to enable you to schedule more accurately by varying the number of hours per day assigned to a particular task over the duration of the task. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to use the Contour feature to change the default even distribution of work over time.
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Constraining Tasks
In Microsoft Project 2010; you can apply constraints to tasks; such as specifying that tasks can't be done after a certain date. You can apply flexible or inflexible constraints and view conflicts created in the schedule. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to apply a constraint to ensure a task is finalized no later than a given date.
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Converting an Excel Worksheet into a List
Microsoft Project 2010 enables you to import data from another data source; such as an Excel workbook; to an existing Project file. You use the Import wizard to map the data to the fields in the Project file. In this video; Erin Olsen uses the Import wizard to import data from an Excel workbook to a resource sheet.
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Creating a Resource Calendar
Microsoft Project 2010 enables you to create resource calendars; so that Project can calculate when resources will be available to complete tasks. You can create a new base calendar or adapt an existing calendar for a resource; such as a part-time employee. In this video; Erin Olsen uses the Resource Calendar feature to create a resource calendar for the Marketing Department.
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Creating a Resource Pool
Microsoft Project 2010 lets you create a resource pool; which is a standalone Project file that captures all the resources involved in a project. When you create a new project using the same resources; you don’t have to re-enter all the information. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to create a resource pool.
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Creating Custom WBS Codes
In Microsoft Project 2010; you can define work breakdown structure (WBS) codes to create a customized numbering scheme. WBS codes are applied at a project level and can be displayed in the Gantt view. In this video; Erin Olsen uses the WBS code feature to create custom WBS codes for each of the tasks of a task list.
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Designating Milestones
Microsoft Project 2010 lets you add milestones to your projects to identify when a specific deliverable is complete or when the end of a phase has been reached. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates two ways of adding milestones to a project.
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Displaying Project Columns
In Microsoft Project 2010; a project includes numerous fields; such as start date and finish date; which are not automatically displayed in Gantt Chart view. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to display more fields in Project.
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Displaying Visual Reports
Microsoft Project 2010 lets you create charts and graphs of your project information to share the content in a manner that’s easily understandable. You can launch visual Excel or Visio reports from within Project. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how she creates an Excel PivotChart to visually represent her Project information.
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Entering Material Resources
When setting up a project; you need to specify material resources; such as supplies and ingredients. In Microsoft Project 2010; you can keep track of the cost of the material resources; when they should be purchased; and when they will be used. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to insert material resources into the resource sheet of a project.
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Entering Tasks
One of the first activities required when creating a new project is to enter tasks. Microsoft Project 2010 provides various ways for you to quickly and easily enter task information into a Project file. In this case; Erin Olsen demonstrates two ways to enter tasks and their durations into a Project file.
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Entering Work Resources
Resources; such as people or equipment; are what you need to complete the tasks in a project. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to enter information in Microsoft Project 2010 to properly allocate resources; as well as scheduling and costing the project.
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Filtering Project Lists
Filtering information is one of the most useful ways of managing data so that you can work with information that's relevant at a time. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to manage information in Microsoft Project 2010 using the in-column and Ribbon filters.
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Grouping Project Lists
Grouping in Microsoft Project 2010 allows you to group related data and expand and collapse entries as you require. It also summarizes entries to make it easier to analyze project information. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how the Group feature works for simplifying a list of resource entries.
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Indicating Lead and Lag Time
Lead and lag times are important for designating delays between tasks in a project schedule. Using this option in Microsoft Project 2010; you can indicate whether a successor task can start only before or after the completion of a predecessor task. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to add lag time to a project schedule.
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Leveraging a Resource Pool
Resource pools in Microsoft Project 2010 enable you to share a set of resources between projects. You can use an existing file as a resource pool; and link the resource pool file and your new file. In this video; Erin Olsen uses the Share Resources feature to leverage a resource pool and link the resource file to a new file.
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Modifying Resource Costs
It’s important to keep the resource costs in Microsoft Project 2010 up to date. You can use cost tables to modify cost variations; such as overtime rates or rates for different types of work. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to create cost tables and apply them to a resource.
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Modifying the Timescale
Microsoft Project 2010's timescale determines how a project timeline displays; from very detailed to an overview. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates the various tools you can use to change the timescale so it shows exactly the amount of detail required.
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Organizing a Task List
To create an accurate schedule in Microsoft Project 2010; you need to organize the tasks in terms of how long each task is going to take and how they relate to one another. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to set the task durations; order tasks; and link related tasks in a project.
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Performing Simple Sorts
Microsoft Project 2010 allows you to easily sort tasks and resources without making any permanent changes to the project. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to perform simple sorts using in-column drop-downs and the Ribbon.
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Saving Project Templates
If you tend to do similar types of projects repeatedly; you can create a project template to reuse a lot of the same information for subsequent projects. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to create a project template in Microsoft Project 2010 and how to access it again.
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Selecting a Base Calendar
When creating accurate project schedules; you need to use calendars to specify the working hours. Microsoft Project 2010 provides various project calendar options; depending on whether the operating hours are 24/7; nightshift; or the traditional 9 to 5. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to set the calendar for a project.
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Setting Project Baselines
In Microsoft Project 2010; you can set baselines to assess whether projects are on time and on budget. You can create a baseline at the start of a project and create interim plans if the baseline has shifted. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to set the baseline and view a snapshot of the project’s current status.
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Setting Project Properties
In Microsoft Project 2010; you can set the project properties to create an accurate plan. You can specify whether you’re scheduling from the start or finish date; what that date is; and whether it’s based on a standard; 24-hour; or night shift calendar. In this video; Erin Olsen uses the project information to set the project start date.
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Setting Task Dependencies
Microsoft Project 2010 enables you to set task dependencies to show the relationship between tasks. You can set linked tasks to happen sequentially or concurrently; and add lag or lead time between linked tasks. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to set the Finish-to-Finish task dependency to show that two linked tasks must finish on the same day.
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Starting a New Project
In Microsoft Project 2010; you can use a blank project file; an existing project file; or a template to start a new project. You can use your own templates; or download a template from the Office web site. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to download a template to track an office move.
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Updating Project Schedules
Microsoft Project 2010 provides several tools you can use to update your projects as work is being done. This enables you to track progress and keep the schedule up to date. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to update a project.
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Using Summary Tasks and Milestones
Microsoft Project 2010 enables you to outline a task list to make it more manageable. You can create subtasks and milestones for each phase; and a project summary task to show a project’s total duration. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to create subtasks; a milestone for the first phase of the project; and a project summary task.
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Viewing Project Reports
Microsoft Project 2010 lets you create hard copy reports to communicate and document project information. This is useful if you want to share information with stakeholders; for example. In this video; Erin Olsen demonstrates how to locate and display some reports.
