Project: Expert Guides and Resources

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.

Microsoft Project offers a tremendous wealth of functionality. It is very robust and can handle all shapes and sizes of projects, from waterfall methods to agile methods and even a little bit of both in the same project schedule.Because it is so robust, 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.

When you’re planning a project in Microsoft Project 2019, consider what information you (or any other stakeholder) need to track, who has the information, how it will be delivered, and how often it needs to be updated. Frequently, this information is stored in a separate document known as the communications management plan.

Don’t think of Microsoft Project 2019 as simply a giant electronic to-do list; rather, it’s a sophisticated tool that’s used to manage projects. And the logical byproduct of that management is a fantastic treasure-trove of information you can use to become a more highly skilled Project user — and, thus, a more competent project manager.

After you open a blank project in Microsoft Project 2019, you can begin entering basic project information, such as the start or end date. Check out the Project 2019 For Dummies Cheat Sheet. You can enter Microsoft Project scheduling information into Project in two ways: Choose File → Info. In the Project Information section on the right side of the screen, as shown in the following figure, you can enter the start, finish, current, and status dates for the project.

Many organizations using Microsoft Project 2019 manage lots of projects at the same time. Sometimes, a project is the only project of its type in a company, such as organizing an office move. Other projects, such as a building design project in an architectural firm, happen simultaneously with several other, similar projects and draw on many of the same resources, such as architects and draftspeople.

Before you create resources in Microsoft Project 2019 willy-nilly, you must understand how they affect your project. First and foremost, a resource is an asset that helps accomplish a project, whether the asset is a person, a piece of equipment, a material, or a supply. One aspect of working with resources effectively is to manage the workflow of any resource that has limited time availability for your project.

Two of the main features of Microsoft Project 2019 are the Ribbon (and Ribbon tabs) and the Quick Access toolbar. These tools help you to make the most of your project management opportunities. Microsoft Project 2019's Ribbon and Ribbon tabs Each of the Ribbon tabs in Project shows different options on the Ribbon.