Project 2016 For Dummies
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Project 2016, one incarnation of Microsoft’s popular project management software, offers a tremendous wealth of functionality. However, Microsoft Project 2016 probably isn’t like any other software you’ve ever used, so mastering it can seem a daunting process. This Cheat Sheet provides you with tips and tricks for doing what you do every day as a project manager.

How to create your schedule with Microsoft Project 2016

Microsoft Project 2016 makes it easy to set your project schedule. In just ten easy steps, you will be on your way to project management success!

  1. Enter the project information, such as the project name and start date.

  2. Develop a work breakdown structure to organize your work.

  3. Enter the tasks needed to create the WBS deliverables.

    Don’t forget to indicate if you want manual or auto-scheduled tasks, and the task type.

  4. Link your tasks to show dependencies and create a network diagram

  5. Enter the resources who will work on your project, their cost/rate, and the time they have available.

  6. Estimate the effort or duration for each task.

  7. Assign resources to each task.

  8. Resolve any resource conflicts.

  9. Balance schedule, cost, resource, and performance constraints to meet stakeholder expectations.

  10. Baseline your schedule.

12 Microsoft Project 2016 shortcut keys

Microsoft Project 2016 maximizes efficiency as you manage projects — but Project 2016 shortcuts also save you time at the keyboard. Here are some shortcut keys you’ll use all the time when building and working with a Project schedule.

Keystroke Result
Ctrl+N Opens a new blank Project
Alt+Home Moves to the beginning of the project
Alt+End Moves the end of a project
Alt+Right Arrow Moves the timeline to the right
Alt+Left Arrow Moves the timeline to the left
Shift+F2 Opens the Task Information dialog box
Ctrl+F Displays the Find dialog box
Ctrl+Z Undoes the previous action
Ctrl+P Displays the Print preview in the Backstage
Ctrl+S Saves the file
Alt+Shift+Hyphen (–) Hides subtasks
Alt+Shift+Plus Sign (+) Shows subtasks

Helpful websites to hone Microsoft Project 2016 expertise

Whether you consider project management an art or skill, Microsoft Project 2016 helps you do it better. Enhance your Microsoft Project expertise by visiting websites that offer templates and third-party add-ins for Microsoft Project and other project management information. Check out the following websites:

About This Article

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About the book author:

Cynthia Snyder is a well-known speaker, consultant, and trainer on project management, as well as the project manager of the team that updated PMI's Project Management Body of Knowledge, Sixth Edition. Her other books include PMP Certification All-in-One For Dummies and A User's Manual to the PMBOK.

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