The management of the projects
with MS Project
Author: AgimDerguti
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What is Microsoft Project?
• Microsoft Project is a project management software program
developed and sold by Microsoft
• Designed to assist project managers in developing plans,
assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing
budgets and analyzing workloads
• The application creates critical path schedules, and critical
chain which can be visualized in a Gantt chart
• Available currently in to editions, Standard and Professional
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Short History of MSP
• The first version of Microsoft Project was released for DOS in
1984 by a company working for Microsoft
• Microsoft bought all rights to the software in 1985
• During 1980’s couple of versions for DOS were released
• The first Windows version in 1990
• During 1990’s there were also versions for Mac
• Subsequent versions – V3 (1992), V4 (1993), 1995,1998, 2000,
2002, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013
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Microsoft Project Overview
• MS project is a project management software program
• MS project is developed and sold by Microsoft
• MS project requires software or hardware installations
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The purpose of program MSP
• List each task necessary to complete a project in the order they should be
performed
• Assign start and finish dates to tasks or let the program set them for you
by specifying the duration of the task
• Display the tasks graphically over a time line to get an overall view of the
project
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…
• Assign workers, contractors and their resources to tasks and print their
schedules
• Compute the hours and cost necessary to complete a task or the entire
project
• Monitor a project’s progress and compare it to your original estimate
• Analyze such items as cost, hours, slack time, resource allocation etc.
using tables and graphs
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MSP Offers
• MSP enables you to stay informed and control:
– Project work
– Schedules
– Finances
• And to keep project teams aligned
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Scheduling Techniques
– Mathematical Analysis
• Network Diagrams
– PERT
– CPM
– GERT
– Bar Charts
• Milestone Chart
• Gantt Chart
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Mathematical Analysis
• PERT
– Program Evaluation and Review Technique
• CPM
– Critical Path Method
• Sometimes treated synonymously
• All are models using network diagrams
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What is CPM?
The Critical Path Method or Critical Path Analysis, is a
mathematically based algorithm for scheduling a set of project
activities
-It is an important tool for effective project management
-Commonly used with all forms of projects, including construction, software
development, research projects, product development, engineering, and plant
maintenance, among others
- Any project with interdependent activities can apply this
method of scheduling
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What is PERT?
Program (Project) Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): is a project
management tool used to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within a
project. It is basically a method to analyze the tasks involved in completing a
given project, especially the time needed to complete each task, and to
identify the minimum time needed to complete the total project.
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What is Gantt Chart?
• A GANTT chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule.
• After the PERT/CPM analysis is completed, the following phase is to
construct the GANTT chart and then to re-allocate resources and re-schedule
if necessary.
• GANTT charts have become a common technique for representing the
phases and activities of a project work breakdown structure.
• It was introduced by Henry Gantt around 1910 – 1915.
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Gantt Chart
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Advantages and Disadvantages
• Advantages
-Simple
-Good visual communication to others
-Task durations can be compared easily
-Good for scheduling resources
• Disadvantages
-Dependencies are more difficult to visualise
-Minor changes in data can cause major changes in the
chart
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Enhancements
• Microsoft Project’s capabilities were extended with the
introduction of:
– Microsoft Office Project Server
– Microsoft Project Web Access
• Also, newer versions provide for cross-functionality with
products like:
– PowerPoint
– Visio
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Thank you
• Thank you for your participation.
• I am looking forward to your feedback and comments.
• My E-mail: agimderguti@[Link]
Agim Derguti
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