50552:Microsoft Project 2010 Exam Prep Bootcamp
About this Course
This three-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to master Microsoft Project 2010 and pass the 70-178 MCTS exam.
Audience Profile
This course is intended for novice and experienced users of Microsoft Project 2010.
At Course Completion
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the Project 2010 Interface.
- Create a new project.
- Plan Project Tasks.
- Plan Project Resources.
- Work with Project Assignments.
- Track project progress.
- Use Microsoft Project variance analysis and change control.
- Create and use project reports.
- Close out projects.
- Work with Project custom fields.
- Pass the 70-178 MCTS exam.
Course Outline
Module 1: Project Management Overview
This module explains the definition of a project according to the Project Management Institute and the process for managing projects.
Lessons
- Project Management Overview
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand the PMI definition of a project.
- Comprehend the project management process as defined by PMI.
Module 2: Microsoft Project 2010 Overview
This module explains how to use Microsoft Project 2010 user interface and its basic elements.
Lessons
- Introducing the Global.mpt file
- Understanding the Ribbon Interface
- Understanding the Ribbon
- Using the Backstage
- Using Navigation Features
- Customizing the User Interface
- Understanding the Planning Wizard
- Understanding Gantt chart Symbols
- Creating a Three-Tiered Timescale
Lab : Microsoft Project 2010 Overview
- Explore the Ribbon and Backstage
- Explore new navigation features
- Customize the ribbon by adding a new ribbon tab and ribbon buttons
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
- Export the ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar customization setting to a file
- Display the fiscal year on the top tier of a three-tiered timescale
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand the purpose of the Global.mpt file in Microsoft Project 2010.
- Understand the features of the Microsoft Project 2010 user interface.
- Understand the features of the ribbon.
- Use theFiletab to access theBackstage.
- Customize the ribbon.
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar.
- Use navigation tricks to better navigate the Microsoft Project 2010 environment.
- Understand the symbols used in theGantt Chartview.
- Read and understand a Gantt chart.
- Create and use a three-tiered timescale.
Module 3: Inside Microsoft Project 2010
This module explains the Microsoft Project 2010 data model, and how to use apply views, tables, filters and groups.
Lessons
- Understanding the Microsoft Project Data Model
- Understanding Views
- Using Single Views and Combination Views
- Understanding Tables
- Understanding Filters
- Applying a Standard Filter
- Applying a Highlight Filter
- Understanding Groups
- Applying a Group
Lab : Inside Microsoft Project 2010
- Apply task and resource views in Microsoft Project 2010
- Apply task and resource tables in Microsoft Project 2010
- Explore the new filters in Microsoft Project 2010
- Apply a standard filter and a highlight filter in Microsoft Project 2010
- Experiment with the new groups in Microsoft Project 2010
- Apply a resource group in Microsoft Project 2010
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand the organization of data in the Microsoft Project data model.
- Describe how the Microsoft Project data model affects views, tables, filters, and groups.
- Describe the new views, filters, and groups in Microsoft Project 2010.
- Use appropriate views, tables, filters, and groups.
- Apply standard filters and highlight filters.
Module 4: Project Definition
This module explains how to define a project using Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- Creating a New Project from a Template
- Creating a New Project from an Existing Project
- Creating a New Project from a SharePoint Task List
- Defining a New Project
- Set the Project Start Date
- Enter the Project Properties
- Display the Project Summary Task
- Set the Project Working Schedule
- Adding Nonworking Time to the Standard Calendar
- Setting the Working Schedule
- Creating a New Base Calendar
- Setting the Project Calendar
- Set Options Unique to this Project
- Setting the Task Mode Option
- Setting Options in the Project Options Dialog
- Setting General Options
- Setting Display Options
- Setting Schedule Options
- Setting Proofing Options
- Setting Save Options
- Setting Language Options
- Setting Advanced Options
- Setting Add-Ins Options
- Setting Trust Center Options
- Save the Project
- Saving a Project as an Alternate File Type
- Saving a Project File as a PDF or XPS Document
- Understanding Reduced Functionality with Older Project File Formats
- Opening a Project Created in an Older Version of Microsoft Project
- Saving a Project to SharePoint
- Sharing a Project via E-Mail
Lab : Project Definition
- Create a new project from an Office.com template
- Enter Project Properties
- Enter the properties information for a project
- Display the Project Summary Task in a project
- Set the Project Working Schedule
- Set a company holiday that occurs on a fixed date every year on the Standard calendar
- Set a company holiday that occurs on a designated day of the week every year on the Standard calendar
- Create a partial working day on the Standard calendar
- Change the default working schedule on a calendar for staff members who work on the second shift from 3:00 PM – Midnight each day
- Schedule work that occurs only on a Saturday or Sunday
- Create a base calendar called 7-Day Work Week that schedules work every day of the week
- Examine the Project calendar and Non-Working Time calendar for a project
- Specify the settings recommended by msProjectExperts in the Project Options dialog
- Save a project file using the company naming convention
- Save a project using several alternate file types
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Create a new project from a SharePoint task list or an Office.com template.
- Define a new project using the six-step method recommended by MSProjectExperts.
- Set nonworking time and the working schedule on the Standard calendar.
- Create new base calendars.
- Specify the Task Mode setting for new tasks.
- Specify options settings for a project.
- Save a project using an alternate file type.
- Save a project to a SharePoint workspace.
- Share a project with others via e-mail.
Module 5: Project Task PlanningProject Task PlanningLessons
- Understanding the Task Planning Process
- Auto-Wrapping Task Names
- Understanding Change Highlighting
- Understanding Manually Scheduled vs. Auto Scheduled Tasks
- Using Basic Task Planning Skills
- Entering and Editing Tasks
- Entering Manually Scheduled Tasks
- Moving Tasks
- Inserting Tasks
- Deleting Tasks
- Creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Inserting Summary Tasks
- Creating a Manually Scheduled Summary Task
- Creating Milestones
- Inserting a Milestone Task
- Using Task Notes and Cell Background Formatting
- Understanding Task Dependencies
- Setting Task Dependencies
- Linking Manually Scheduled Tasks
- Removing a Task Dependency
- Using Lag Time with Dependencies
- Using Lead Time with Dependencies
- Understanding Schedule Warnings and Suggestions
- Using the Respect Links Feature
- Using the Task Inspector
- Using Alternate Methods to Set Dependencies
- Setting Task Constraints and Deadline Dates
- Setting Constraints
- Adding Notes on Tasks with Constraints
- Understanding Flexible and Inflexible Constraints
- Understanding Planning Wizard Messages about Constraints
- Understanding Task Scheduling Changes
- Using Deadline Dates
- Viewing Missed Constraints and Deadline Dates
- Assigning Task Calendars
- Understanding Duration-Based and Effort-Based Planning
- Estimating Task Durations
- Using the Task Inspector to Determine Task Drivers
- Creating Recurring Tasks
- Planning for Known Fixed Costs
Lab : Project Task Planning
- Use basic task planning skills to define the task list in the Training Advisor Rollout project
- Drag and drop tasks into the correct order in a project
- Insert a new task
- Delete an unnecessary task
- Create the Work Breakdown Structure for the Training Advisor Rollout project
- Create milestone tasks to denote the completion date of each phase and for project completion
- Add task notes and apply cell background formatting to tasks in a project
- Set each of the four types of task dependencies for Auto Scheduled and Manually Scheduled tasks
- Add lag time and lead time on task dependencies
- Link Manually Scheduled tasks and then use the Task Inspector tool
- Edit task dependencies using alternate methods
- Set task dependencies in your Training Advisor Rollout project using any of the previous methods
- Respond to schedule Warnings in your Training Advisor Rollout project
- Use constraints in the Training Advisor Rollout project to resolve issues
- Set a deadline date for the entire project
- Assign a task calendar
- Enter estimated task durations for tasks
- Determine task drivers for a task
- Create a recurring task for project status meetings
- Plan for a known fixed cost
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand the task planning process.
- Understand change highlighting.
- Use Manually Scheduled tasks and Auto Scheduled tasks.
- Use basic task planning skills to create a project schedule.
- Set task dependencies, constraints, and deadline dates.
- Document the task list with appropriate task notes.
- Use cell background formatting to display tasks of interest.
- Estimate task Durations.
- Determine task drivers.
- Create recurring tasks.
- Enter a Fixed Cost on a task.
Module 6: Project Resource Planning
This module explains how to perform resource planning using Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- Defining Project Resources
- Creating Work Resources
- Entering Custom Resource Information
- Entering General Information
- Changing Working Time
- Entering Cost Information
- Entering Resource Notes
- Using the Custom Fields Page
- Creating Generic Resources
- Creating Material Resources
- Creating Cost Resources
- Creating a Budget Cost Resource
- Creating an Expense Cost Resource
- Sorting Resources in the Resource Sheet View
- Inserting New Resources in the Resource Sheet View
- Planning for Known Fixed Costs
Lab : Project Resource Planning
- Enter Work resources in the project team
- Specify working schedule information for two members of the project team
- Enter custom cost information and notes for two members of the project team
- Create a generic resource
- Create a Material resource
- Create a Budget Cost resource and an Expense Cost resource
- Apply a three-level sorting by the resource Type value, by the Group value, and by the Resource Name value
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand project resources.
- Create a Work resource.
- Create a Generic resource.
- Create a Material resource.
- Create Cost resources.
- Enter basic and custom information for each type of resource.
- Sort resources.
- Insert a new resource.
- Enter a Fixed Cost on a task.
Module 7: Project Assignment Planning
This module explains how to perform resource planning using Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- Understanding Assignments
- Using a Work Estimation Methodology
- Assigning Resources Using a Best Practice
- Assigning Resources to Tasks
- Using the Task Entry View
- Using the Assign Resources Dialog
- Understanding the Duration Equation
- Understanding Task Types
- Understanding the Peak and Assignment Units Fields
- Setting the Cost Rate Table
- Assigning Material Resources
- Assigning Cost Resources
- Using Expense Cost Resources
- Using Effort Driven Scheduling
- Using Non-Effort Driven Scheduling
- Replacing Resources Assigned to Tasks
- Using the Team Planner View
- Leveling an Overallocated Resource in the Team Planner View
- Dragging Tasks in the Team Planner View
- Changing Schedule Information in the Team Planner View
- Understanding Resource Overallocation
- Locating Resource Overallocations
- Leveling Overallocated Resources
- Using a Leveling Methodology
- Setting Leveling Options
- Leveling an Overallocated Resource
- Viewing Leveling Results
- Clearing Leveling Results
- Setting Task Priority Numbers
- Leveling Resource Overallocations in a Task View
- Understanding the Intricacies of Manually Scheduled Tasks
- Understanding Unsupported Task Features
- Understanding Work Value Calculations for Calendar Exceptions
Lab : Project Assignment Planning
- Apply the Task Entry view and assign resources
- Assign resources to tasks using the Assign Resources dialog
- Change the variables in the Duration Equation for tasks with different Task Types
- Study the Assignment Units and Peak fields in Microsoft Project 2010
- Cost assignments using a higher t Standard Rate value specified on Cost Rate Table B
- Assign a Material resource to a task
- Assign a Budget Cost resource and an Expense Cost resource to tasks
- Use Effort Driven scheduling to shorten the duration of a task
- Use Effort Driven scheduling by adding a resource to a task where the existing resource has completed some actual work
- Locate an available human resource with the right skills to replace the generic resource
- Substitute an available human resource for a generic resource
- Use the Team Planner view to analyze resource assignments and to level resource overallocations
- Locate resource overallocations and then level overallocated resources
- Locate and resolve resource overallocations in the Gantt Chart view
- Disable overallocation warning messages for a task assigned to an overallocated resource
- Set up Microsoft Project 2010 to view the dates and times for the start and finish of each task
- Study the behavior of Default Day and Elapsed Time exceptions
- Study the effect of Elapsed Time exceptions on resource leveling
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand work estimation techniques.
- Assign resources to tasks using the Task Entry view and the Assign Resources dialog.
- Understand and use Task Types.
- Change the Cost Rate Table for an assignment.
- Use Effort-Driven scheduling to shorten task Duration.
- Assign a Material resource to tasks.
- Assign Budget Cost and Expense Cost resources to tasks.
- Use filtering and graphing in the Assign Resources dialog.
- Use the Team Planner view to analyze resource allocation.
- Locate and level resource overallocations in Resource views and in Task views.
- Understand how Manually Scheduled tasks interact with resource assignments.
Module 8: Project Execution
This module explains how to execute a project using Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- Understanding the Execution Process
- Rescheduling an Unstarted Project
- Viewing the Critical Path
- Working with Project Baselines
- Saving a Project Baseline
- Saving a “Rolling Baseline”
- Saving Over a Previous Baseline
- Viewing the Project Baseline
- Clearing the Project Baseline
- Using Additional Baselines
- Tracking Project Progress
- Entering Progress Using Percent Complete
- Entering Progress Using Actual Work and Remaining Work
- Entering Progress Using a Daily Timesheet
- Entering Progress for an Expense Cost Resource
- Specifying the Current Date or the Status Date
- Rescheduling Uncompleted Work
- Rescheduling a Task
- Setting Tasks to Inactive
- Synchronizing with a SharePoint Tasks List
- Adding Fields to the Task Synchronization Process
- Reporting Progress Using a SharePoint Tasks List
Lab : Project Execution
- Reschedule the Start date of an unstarted project
- Display the Critical Path and Total Slack
- Save a baseline
- Enter project progress using the Percent Complete method
- Enter project progress using the Actual Work and Remaining Work method
- Enter project progress using the daily timesheet method
- Add this additional status information to a project
- Enter project progress for recurring tasks
- Enter actual expense information for an Expense Cost resource
- Reschedule uncompleted work from the past reporting period into the current reporting period
- Put a project “on hold” by rescheduling tasks in the project to a start date one week in the future
- Cancel an unneeded task by setting its status to Inactive
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Reschedule an unstarted project to a new start date.
- View the Critical Path for a project.
- Save an original baseline for a project.
- Understand the proper use of the multiple Baseline fields in Microsoft Project 2010.
- Understand the three primary methods for entering project progress.
- Enter progress for a Cost resource.
- Reschedule uncompleted work from past reporting periods into the current reporting period.
- Reschedule a task to a future time period.
- Set a task to Inactive status.
- Synchronize a project with a SharePoint Tasks list.
Module 9: Variance Analysis, Plan Revision, and Change Control
This module explains how to analyze variance, revise a plan and use change control with Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- Understanding Variance
- Understanding Variance Types
- Calculating Variance
- Understanding Actual vs. Estimated Variance
- Analyzing Project Variance
- Analyzing Date Variance
- Analyzing Work Variance
- Analyzing Cost Variance
- Understanding Custom Views
- What Is A View?
- Creating a New Custom View Using a Four-Step Method
- Creating a Custom Table
- Creating a Custom Filter
- Creating a Custom Group
- Creating a New Custom View
- Creating a Combination View
- Using the Organizer
- Copying Custom Objects
- Renaming and Deleting Custom Objects
- Revising a Project Plan
- Potential Problems with Revising a Plan
- Using a Change Control Process
- Inserting New Tasks in a Project
- Rebaselining Your Project
- Backing Up an Original Baseline
- Rebaselining the Entire Project
- Baselining Only Selected Tasks
- Rebaselining Only Unstarted Tasks
- Rebaselining the Entire Project Using an Alternate Baseline
- Viewing Multiple Baselines
Lab : Variance Analysis, Plan Revision, and Change Control
- Analyze schedule, date, work, and cost variance in a project
- Create a new custom table to show Duration variance data
- Create a custom filter to locate tasks where Duration exceeds Baseline Duration
- Create a new custom group to apply grouping tasks by Duration Variance in descending order in 1-day intervals
- Make a copy of the Tracking Gantt view and then modify the copy to create a custom view that shows all tasks with a Duration Variance value greater than 0 days. Apply the filter as a highlight filter.
- Create a custom combination view to troubleshoot task dependency problems
- Use the Organizer dialog to view the new custom objects
- Add resources and adjusting resource availability to bring a project “back on track” against its original baseline schedule
- Add a task to an existing project to account for variance
- Backup the original project baseline information in the Baseline 1 set of fields
- Baseline only selected tasks
- View the new project baseline
- Rebaseline a project using the Baseline 2 set of fields
- Configure Microsoft Project 2010 using the Baseline 2 set of fields to calculate variance
- Set up the Tracking Gantt view in Microsoft Project 2010 to show the Baseline 2 schedule as gray Gantt bars
- View alternate baseline schedule information in a project
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand the different types of project variance.
- Understand the difference between “estimated” variance and “actual” variance.
- Create a custom view to analyze Duration variance.
- Create custom views, tables, filters, and groups.
- Use the Organizer to manage default and custom views, tables, filters, and groups.
- Define plan revision and change control.
- Revise a project plan to bring it back on schedule.
- Understand how the Autolink feature works when you insert a new task between two other tasks with dependencies.
- Use change control procedures to add a new task to a project.
- Baseline a project after adding new tasks.
- View the schedule of multiple baselines in a project.
Module 10: Project Reporting
This module explains how to use basic project reporting using Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- Reporting in Microsoft Project 2010
- Using Enhanced Copy and Paste
- Using the Timeline with the Gantt Chart View
- Adding a Task to the Timeline
- Formatting the Timeline View
- Adding Tasks Using the Contextual Format Ribbon
- Exporting the Timeline View
- Creating a New Table by Customizing an Existing Table
- Customizing an Existing Table and Creating a New Table
- Customizing a Table Using the Add New Column Feature
- Creating a New View by Customizing an Existing View
- Resetting a Default View and Table after Customization
- Formatting the Gantt Chart
- Using the Format Tools
- Using the Columns Tools
- Using the Bar Styles Tools
- Using the Gantt Chart Style Tools
- Using the Show/Hide Tools
- Using the Drawing Tools
- Customizing the Team Planner View
- Formatting Other Views
Lab : Project Reporting
- Copy and paste task data from Microsoft Project 2010 to another Microsoft Office application
- Copy and paste task data from a Microsoft Office application to Microsoft Project 2010
- Add tasks to the Timeline view
- Customize the Timeline view
- Export the Timeline view to another Microsoft Office application
- Add several new custom columns using the Add New Column virtual column
- Create a new custom view by saving a customized default view
- Rename and delete objects using the Organizer dialog
- Format the text styles, gridlines, and the layout of Gantt bars in the Gantt Chart view of a project
- Format the columns in the Gantt Chart view of a project
- Format the objects displayed in the Gantt Chart view of a project
- Customize the Team Planner view
- Format the Task Usage view of a project
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand reporting features in Microsoft Project 2010.
- Use enhanced copy and paste between Microsoft Office applications.
- Use and format the Timeline view.
- Create a custom view and table by modifying an existing view and table.
- Use the Organizer in Microsoft Project 2010.
- Format the Gantt Chart view using multiple methods.
- Format the Team Planner view and the Task Usage view.
Module 11: Printing Views, Reports, and Visual Reports
This module explains how to use advanced reporting techniques in Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- More about Project Reporting
- Printing Views
- Using Page Setup
- Creating a Header or Footer
- Setting Print Options
- Printing Reports
- Understanding Report and View Interaction
- Understanding Report Definition
- Creating Custom Reports
- Creating Custom Monthly Calendar Reports
- Creating Custom Crosstab Reports
- Using Visual Reports
- Viewing a Visual Report
- Customizing a Microsoft Excel Visual Report
- Customizing a Microsoft Visio Visual Report
- Saving Local OLAP Cube Data
- Creating Visual Report Templates
- Editing Visual Report Templates
- Managing Your Visual Report Templates
Lab : Printing Views, Reports, and Visual Reports
- Use the Page Setup dialog to print a specific number of columns in a view
- Use the Page Setup dialog to add one or more notes pages when you print the Gantt Chart view
- the Page Setup dialog to create a custom header for the Gantt Chart view
- Use Remove the legend section from the bottom of the page and then print a selected date range for the Gantt Chart view
- Examine the various default reports included in Microsoft Project 2010
- Troubleshoot printing problems with the Cash Flow report
- Troubleshoot printing problems with the Who Does What When report
- View the definition of a task report and a resource report
- Create a custom task report based on the new table and filter used in the custom _Duration Slippage view
- Create a custom monthly calendar report to show the tasks assigned to any resource
- Create a monthly version of the Cash Flow report that displays both tasks and assignments
- View visual reports in Microsoft Project 2010
- Customize the PivotTable in an Excel visual report
- Customize the PivotChart in an Excel visual report
- Create a new visual report template
- Format the PivotChart section of a new visual report template
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Print default views and reports.
- Create custom reports.
- View and modify Visual Reports.
- Create custom Visual Reports.
Module 12: Project Closure
This module explains how to closeout a project using Microsoft Project 2010.
Lessons
- Using Project Closure Methodologies
- Closing a Project
- Cancelling Unnecessary Tasks
- Marking Milestones as Complete
- Saving a Completed Project as a Template
- Creating a New Project from a Template
- Using the Compare Project Versions Tool
Lab : Project Closure
- Cancel an unneeded task during closeout
- Mark all milestone tasks as 100% complete to complete
- Clean up the tasks in a project to prepare to save it as a project template
- Clean up the resources in a project to prepare to save it as a project template
- Save the “cleaned up” project file as a project template
- Create a new project from the project template
- Use the Compare Project Versions tool to compare the baselined and completed versions of a project
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand and use project closure methodologies.
- Close a completed project in Microsoft Project 2010.
- Save a completed project as a project template.
- Compare a completed project with the original project using the Compare Projects tool.
Module 13: Additional Exam Prep Topics
This module explains additional topics required to pass the 70-178 Exam.
Lessons
- Understanding Custom Fields
- Defining Custom Fields Cancelling Unnecessary Tasks
- Defining a Free Entry Custom Field
- Defining a Custom Field with a Lookup Table
- Defining a Custom Field with a Formula
- Defining a Custom Field with Graphical Indicator
- Defining a Custom Outline Code
- Deleting a Custom Field or Outline Code
- Creating and Using a Master Project
- Setting External Dependencies
- Viewing the Critical Path in a Master Project
- Viewing Resource Assignment Information across Multiple Projects
- Attaching Documentation to a Project
- Linking a Document to a Task in a Project
- Inserting a Hyperlink in a Project
- Exporting a Microsoft Project File to Excel
- Exporting a Project Image to another Application
Lab : Additional Exam Prep Topics
- Create a custom text field
- Create a custom text field with a value list
- Create a custom field with a formula to calculate the percentage of work variance
- Define a custom field to calculate the percentage of Work exceeding original Baseline Work
- Define a custom resource outline code to track resource geographical location
- Display new custom fields in a task view
- Connect three projects to a shared resource pool file
- Create a new master project consisting of three subprojects
- Create cross-project dependencies between subprojects of a master project
- View the Critical Path in a master project
- View and analyze resource assignments in a master project
- Attach a document to a project using a link (shortcut) and a hyperlink
- Export cost data from a Microsoft Project 2010 file into a Microsoft Excel workbook
- Export an image file to another Microsoft Office application
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand and use project closure methodologies.
- Close a completed project in Microsoft Project 2010.
- Save a completed project as a project template.
- Compare a completed project with the original project using the Compare Projects tool.
Before attending this course, students should have:
- General Project Management knowledge
E-Tek is an authorized Prometric testing center, offering official Microsoft certification exams at its Secaucus, New Jersey (NJ) location