Click the Gantt chart icon in top left corner of the window. To assign tasks, you’ll need to switch to the Gantt chart. This also lets the people assigned to the project know how much time is required of them.
If it’s a particularly important part of the project that needs to be done quickly, you can assign multiple people to it and Microsoft Project will decrease the time it takes to complete the task based on how many resources are assigned.
One of the benefits of MS Project is that it can calculate how long it will take a person to complete the task based on their availability. This will help you better manage the project and get work done in a specific time period. Once you have a list of resources for your project, you’ll want to assign tasks. As an example, we’ll use a common business requirement when dealing with vendors: tracking the progress of calling for RFPs. We’ll take you through the steps needed to set-up a timeline, add and schedule tasks, add resources, setup dependencies, generate reports, and track progress. Microsoft Project has a lot of features for setting up projects and running automated reports based on progress, budget, time tracking, and more. This MS Project tutorial will just cover the basic features that are found in most versions. However, Project 2016 is a bit more robust and has more timeline features, a handy search tool called “Tell Me” for finding features, improved resource management, and office add-ins. If you’re using Project 2010 or Project 2013, you shouldn’t have any issues importing them to 2016 (if you plan on upgrading) since they use the same file format. There are similarities in the steps for some of the releases, so some of the steps will translate well among the various versions. There are many versions available, so you’ll want to check which one you’re using. Since Smartsheet is a cloud-based web app, you can use a PC, Mac, or mobile device and share your work with anyone.įor this tutorial, we’ll be using the most recent version, Microsoft Project 2016.
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We’ll also demonstrate how to perform the same tasks in Smartsheet for a MS Project alternative.
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If you want to create your own project, you’ll need an MS Project license (which is likely supplied by your company). To help you get started with Microsoft Project 2016, this tutorial will walk you through the steps to create a project timeline, assign resources, and run reports. If your company already uses Microsoft Project, those issues may not be challenges for you. First, it only works on PCs, and second, MS Project requires a license to use. However, Microsoft Project has a couple of limitations. Effective project management requires tools like MS Project that are both flexible and provide structure. There’s good reason - it includes all the tools you need to assign resources, track progress, develop plans, manage budgets, and create schedules. Microsoft Project (MS Project) has been around a long time (the first edition launched in 1984) and it is a staple in a project manager’s arsenal. While it can be tempting to get started on completing tasks as soon as possible, taking the time to map out your strategy can help you save money and resources. Your project will constantly be shifting, and you need a project plan template that can keep up. No-code required.Ī project plan is an essential part of any project manager’s toolkit. WorkApps Package your entire business program or project into a WorkApp in minutes.Digital asset management Manage and distribute assets, and see how they perform.Resource management Find the best project team and forecast resourcing needs.Intelligent workflows Automate business processes across systems.Governance & administration Configure and manage global controls and settings.Streamlined business apps Build easy-to-navigate business apps in minutes.Integrations Work smarter and more efficiently by sharing information across platforms.
Secure request management Streamline requests, process ticketing, and more.Process management at scale Deliver consistent projects and processes at scale.Content management Organize, manage, and review content production.Workflow automation Quickly automate repetitive tasks and processes.Team collaboration Connect everyone on one collaborative platform.Smartsheet platform Learn how the Smartsheet platform for dynamic work offers a robust set of capabilities to empower everyone to manage projects, automate workflows, and rapidly build solutions at scale.