This Microsoft Project Advanced course offers a deep dive into several key areas. First of all, you’ll learn how to customize the user interface to suit the specific needs of your project. This includes the use of custom fields to track specific information, enabling you to manage relevant data efficiently.

The course then moves on to the creation of templates and macros to automate recurring tasks. This skill is crucial for saving time and improving productivity by automating processes such as report generation or data updating.

Advanced task scheduling will also be explored, including the use of techniques such as complex constraints and event-driven tasks. You’ll learn how to manage deadlines and task suspensions, as well as how to optimize the sequence of tasks to reduce project duration, which is essential for meeting deadlines and maximizing efficiency.

Another important component of training is resource management. This includes advanced use of shared resource pools, resource management across multiple projects, and strategies for balancing resource workloads. These skills are crucial to optimizing the use of available resources and ensuring project success.

Cost and budget management is also covered, with an emphasis on advanced cost tracking, variance analysis, cost-to-completion forecasting, and the use of earned value analysis (EVM) techniques. These skills will help you control expenses, make informed decisions and keep the project on budget.

Advanced project analysis, collaboration and communication, risk and problem management, and performance optimization are also an integral part of this training. These aspects will enable you to effectively manage the different aspects of a project, work collaboratively in a team, solve problems and maintain project performance at an optimum level.

This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively manage complex projects, focusing on customization, planning, resource management, costs, communication, risk management and performance optimization. Reviewing key concepts, discussing challenges encountered and evaluating the training will complete your learning experience, enabling you to apply these skills in your future projects.

Base

• Knowledge of MS Project – Intermediate
• Have access to a computer and Microsoft MS Project (versions 2013, 2016 or OFFICE 365)

• Deepen your understanding of the advanced features of MS Project.
• Ability to effectively manage large, complex projects.
• Explore advanced techniques to optimize planning, resources, and costs.
• Be able to solve complex project management problems with MS Project.

Advanced Customization

• Advanced user interface customization.
• Use custom fields to track project-specific information.
• Create templates and macros to automate recurring tasks.

Advanced Task Scheduling

• Use of advanced task scheduling techniques: complex constraints, event-driven tasks.
• Management of deadlines and suspensions of tasks.
• Optimization of the sequence of tasks to reduce project time.

Resource Management

• Advanced use of shared resource pools.
• Management of resources shared between multiple projects.
• Strategies for balancing resource workload.

Cost & Budget Management

• Advanced cost tracking: variance analysis, cost forecasting at completion.
• Use of earned value analysis (EVA) techniques.
• Management of project budgets and expenses.

Advanced Project Analysis

• Use of critical path analysis and leeway.
• Sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of changes.
• Use of Monte Carlo simulations to assess project risks.

Risk & Issue Management

• Integration of risk management into project planning.
• Use custom fields to track risks and issues.
• Implementation of contingency plans and mitigation strategies.

Collaboration & Communication

• Use of advanced collaboration features: online sharing, synchronization with other tools.
• Setting up effective communication processes for project teams.
• Use custom reports to communicate project progress.

Performance Optimization

• Optimized MS Project performance for large-scale projects.
• Management of multiple projects and their interdependencies.
• Advanced troubleshooting techniques to resolve performance issues.

Conclusion and Review

• Review of key concepts and advanced techniques covered in the course.
• Discussion on the specific challenges faced by the participants and the proposed solutions.
• Training evaluation and participant feedback.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS