The Complete Idiot's Guide to Project Management with Microsoft Project 2003provides the perfect and complete solution. Instead of just focusing on how to use the software, this title teaches readers the concepts of formal project management, then shows them how to use the most popular project management software to work through their goals, objectives, task lists, phases, tasks, milestones, charts, and summaries.

This fully updated edition features new templates, forms, and examples and complies with official PMI and PMBOK standards for project management.

Whether your job is to manage the construction of a building, oversee the launch of a new product, host an international event, or plan a company party, Microsoft Project 2003 can help. Microsoft Project 2003 For Dummies shows you how to use the program to plan, schedule, and budget all phases of a project, assign the resources, create essential reports, and monitor your progress. If you’re new to Project, you’ll find what you need to get up to speed, including info on how Project works, finding your way around, and building your first Project plan. If you’ve used an earlier version of Project, you’ll delve into Project 2003 and all of the new features it puts at your fingertips. Complete with case histories, screen shots, and step-by-step instructions, this guide walks you through: Making calendar settings, building a task-outline, and entering timing and timing relationships for tasks Assigning resources and material costs to tasks Using scheduling and tracking tools: The Gantt Chart which is the main view of Project; The Network Diagram (version of a PERT (program Evaluation and Review Technique) chart; Risk management; and Resource management Recalculating based on what-if scenarios to solve resource conflicts, get your costs within budget, or meet your deadlines Understanding the task/subtask structure, creating an outline, and working with WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) codes Working with a combination of cost types (fixed, work, and material) and customizing costs fields with Value Lists Saving your plan with a baseline Using the tracking toolbar and to record actual activity, update fixed costs, and more Generating and formatting standard reports (complete with graphics), creating custom reports, and using the XML Reporting Wizard If you have Project Server (that complements Project 2003 but is not included), this book shows you how to use Project in an enterprise environment to centralize information online and get real online collaboration. You can publish projects to the Web, allow team members to update their progress, analyze your project status, and generally communicate in one central, online location. Microsoft Project 2003 For Dummies is complete with a bonus CD-ROM that includes: Add-on tools and templates Case history examples Test preparation questions for the Project Management Institute (PMI) certification exam Milestones Project Companion and Project KickStart trial versions Cobra, WBS Chart Pro, PERT Chart Expert, and TimeSheet Professional demo versions Use this friendly guide to get comfortable with Project. You’ll wonder how you managed without it.

The step-by-step guide to becoming a successful project manager. By systematically managing goals and resources, any project, large or small, complicated or straightforward, can be achieved with great profitability. A certified project management professional shares the latest theories, procedures, and software tools available in this fully updated and revised guide including the newest directive from the Project Management Institute. An invaluable guide for any manager, it clearly explains the best way to approach any project, and also gives all the information necessary to those interested in passing the test to become a certified Project Management Professional. ? Includes the most current terms and concepts on the certification test, and the latest software tools from Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, and Primavera. ? Advice from an expert with useful, real-life anecdotes from the field.

Intended for those new to project management as well as professionals wanting to improve their skills, this invaluable resource introduces fundamental concepts, presents necessary organizational skills, and explores the use of technology in the field of project management. The life cycle of the project management process is clearly outlined, including sample stages, sub-processes, tasks, and jobs, supported by accessible definitions, examples, words of warning, and cases with context. The included CD offers additional charts, reading materials, and links to online resources.

Blow past the jargon and get hands-on, practical guidance on managing any project with Microsoft Project Lean. Agile. Hybrid. It seems that project management these days comes with more confusing buzzwords than ever. But you can make managing your next project simple and straightforward with help from Microsoft Project For Dummies. This book unpacks Microsoft’s bestselling project management platform and walks you through every important feature, step-by-step, until you’re ready to take on virtually any project, no matter the size. From getting set up for the first time to creating tasks, managing resources and working with time management features, you’ll learn everything you need to know about managing a project in Microsoft’s iconic software. You’ll also find: Totally updated guidance that applies to both the desktop version and Microsoft’s new subscription-based Microsoft Project Online Helpful information on integrating Agile practices and techniques into your project “Golden rules” that keep a project on-track and on-time Ways to effectively manage your resources with Microsoft Project’s built-in functionality Managing a project, big or small, is no easy task. Luckily, Microsoft Project For Dummies can take a lot of the hassle out of your day-to-day life. Learn how to take advantage of this powerful software today!