Microsoft Project Online Training: “Zero to Hero” Course

Syllabus + Samples

Course Description

This “hands on” self-paced eLearning course teaches the foundational knowledge required to effectively manage “process agnostic” enterprise projects using Microsoft Project Online with Project Professional. Our “keep it simple” training approach allows students to master the vital skills they need to effectively plan and manage an enterprise project using Microsoft’s PPM (Project Portfolio Management) tools.

• ~70 Bite-Sized Videos: No fluff, just actionable lessons ranging from 3-7 minutes.
• 12 Power-Packed Modules: Each designed to level up your Microsoft Project Online skills.
• 15 Real-World Project Files: Learn the features that matter, straight from a seasoned expert.

We didn’t throw this course together over a weekend. This curriculum is the result of a year of refinement and 25 years of teaching.

I’ve organized the course into 12 Comprehensive Modules that guide you through the natural lifecycle of a project.

Part 1: Building the Plan (Modules 01-06)
First, we build the foundation. I’ll teach you how to navigate the interface, set up your calendars, and build a schedule that mimics reality. By the end of Module 06, you will have a “locked-in” Baseline.

Part 2: Execution & Reporting (Modules 07-12)
A plan is useless if you can’t track it. In the second half of the course, we shift gears. You’ll learn how to enter updates, handle delays (variance), and generate reports that keep your stakeholders happy. See the Full Syllabus

Audience

This course is focused on the core needs of project managers, project schedulers, and project coordinators who use Microsoft Project Online with Project Professional to manage projects.

Course Pre-Requisites

Each student must have a copy of one of the following installed on his/her PC:
– Microsoft Project Professional (2016 or later) is recommended for the desktop client portion of the course.

Versions of Microsoft Project earlier than the 2016 version do not qualify for this course.

The Full Microsoft Project Online Training Curriculum

Phase 1: The Cloud Environment (Modules 1-3)

We start by demystifying the tool. You will learn the difference between “Local” and “Enterprise” data, how to manage the “Local Project Cache” (so you don’t lose work), and how to navigate the PWA interface in your browser.

Module 01: Introducing the Microsoft PPM Tools

• What are Microsoft Project Online and Microsoft Project Server?
• Understanding Enterprise Project Management Terminology

Module 02: Microsoft Project Overview

• Customizing the Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar in Microsoft Project
• Understanding the Gantt Chart View
• Understanding the Microsoft Project Data Model
• Understanding and Using Views
• Understanding and Using Tables
• Understanding and Using Filters
• Understanding and Using Groups
• Project Navigation Tips

Module 03: Working in Enterprise Mode

• Creating a Project Online Login Account
• Opening and Closing an Enterprise Project
• Working with the Local Project Cache
• Working with an Enterprise Project in Offline Mode
• Introducing Project Web App
• Using the Project Center Page
• Using the Resource Center Page

Phase 2: Building the Plan (Modules 4-7)

Now we build the schedule. You will learn how to create projects from Enterprise Templates stored in the cloud, and how to build a team using the Enterprise Resource Pool.

Module 04: Working with a New Project

• Creating a New Enterprise Project
  • Creating a New Project Using Project Web App
  • Creating a New Project Using Microsoft Project
• Taking Over an Enterprise Project Created by Someone Else
• Defining a New Project
  • Set the Project Start Date
  • Enter Project Properties
  • Display the Project Summary Task
  • Set the Project and Nonworking Time Calendars
  • Set Project Options
  • Save and Publish the Project

Module 05: Task Planning

• Understanding Manually Scheduled vs. Auto Scheduled Tasks
• Creating the Task List
  • Creating New Tasks
  • Editing Task Names
  • Deleting Unneeded Tasks
  • Inserting New Tasks
  • Moving Tasks
  • Adding Task Notes
• Creating Summary Tasks
• Creating Milestone Tasks
• Entering Duration Estimates
• Specifying Task Dependencies – Overview
• Specifying Task Dependencies in a Real World Project
• Applying Task Constraints
• Entering Target Finish Dates
• Using Cell Background Formatting to Highlight Tasks of Interest

Module 06: Resource Planning

• Understanding Enterprise Project Resources
• Building Your Project Team
  • Adding Enterprise Resources to the Project Team
  • Adding Local Resources to the Project Team

Module 07: Assignment Planning

• Assigning Resources to Tasks: Best Practices
• Assigning Resources to Tasks Using the Task Entry View
• Assigning Resources to Tasks Using the Assign Resources Dialog

Phase 3: Execution & Updates (Modules 8-12)

A plan is useless if you can’t track it. You will learn how to “Snapshot” your plan with a Baseline, how to enter status updates, and how to keep your stakeholders informed.

Module 08: Completing the Project Schedule

• Performing a Quality Analysis on the Project Schedule
• Saving and Backing Up a Baseline for the Project
• Saving and Publishing the Project

Module 09: Capturing Task Progress

• About Project Updating
• Setting the Status Date for the Project
• Methods for Gathering Task Progress
• Manually Entering Task Progress
• Tips for Manually Entering Task Progress

Module 10: Working with Task Updates

• Understanding Incomplete Work in the Past
• Rescheduling Incomplete Work from the Past

Module 11: Variance Analysis, Plan Revision, and Change Control

• Understanding Project Variance
• Analyzing Project Variance
  • Analyzing Schedule Variance
  • Understanding Work Variance
  • Understanding Cost Variance
• Understanding Plan Revision
• Revising a Project Schedule
• Understanding Change Control
• Adding New Tasks to a Project
• Updating the Project Baseline

Module 12: Project Reporting

• Creating a Timeline View
• Formatting the Timeline View
• Exporting the Timeline View to Another Application
• Publishing a Timeline View to Project Web App