What is this course about?

This course provides a complete hands-on exploration of Microsoft Project Professional 2007. You learn how to use Project Professional to plan, budget and run projects, schedule resources, optimise project plans, track and analyse project progress and create status reports. You leave the course with the practical skills necessary to take full advantage of Microsoft Project's features as well as an understanding of best business practises for using project management software tools.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is for anybody who requires hands-on training in the effective use of Microsoft Project Professional for project planning and control. Examples of people who would benefit from attending include those who are responsible for projects such as:

• Installing a new network
• Scheduling a migration program
• Moving the company office
• Replacing hardware
• Managing a project team
• Scheduling subcontractors
• Analysing project plans developed by others

What background do I need?

Basic project management experience at the level of Course 296, Project Management: Skills for Success or Course 340, Project Management for Software Development is helpful background for Course 299. Course 296 teaches the principles and best practice of running a broad range of projects. It also provides an overview of various PC-based project management packages, including Microsoft Project Professional, for those who are undecided about the appropriate product for their needs. Course 340 focuses on the unique aspects of software development projects. Participants should not take both Course 296 and Course 340; there is significant overlap in the content of these two courses.

Will this course help me with a project currently underway?

Yes. You gain the skills needed to review the project, obtain the vital information and bring your project back on track using Microsoft Project

With what kinds of projects will this help me?

Microsoft Project Professional can be used to manage any type of project imaginable. Although most of our participants come from information technology backgrounds, the course is equally suitable for any kind of a project-from planning a special event to rolling out a new product.

Will I learn how to customise Microsoft Project Professional's features?

This course shows you how to use standard Microsoft Project Professional features and then tailor and adapt these for your specific needs. Bonus exercises allow you to work with features that are relevant to you and your unique project goals.

Does it matter which version of Microsoft Project I am currently using?

The course uses Microsoft Project Professional 2007. When appropriate, this course covers the differences between Project 2007 and earlier versions of Project (2000/2002/2003). If you are using a version prior to Project 2000, you will still find the course beneficial even though the menus and capabilities of Microsoft Project Professional 2007 are considerably different. Project Professional 2007 is faster and includes better macro features, extended task and resource management, and additional workgroup functions.

Is Project Server covered on this course?

Yes, to a limited extent. The functionality of the Project Server product is reviewed and compared with other methods of assigning tasks, exchanging schedules, monitoring task status and posting project progress throughout the course. There are also a number of optional workshops for attendees with particular interest in more details on how to use Project Professional 2003 with Project Server. These can be taken as alternatives to other optional work.

What kinds of hands-on exercises does the course include?

Practical, skill-building exercises teach participants how to use Microsoft Project to set standards, plan projects, schedule and optimise the plan, and control the project make up 45% of the course. During each exercise, participants develop the technical skills essential for confident use of Microsoft Project.

How much time is spent on each topic?

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 17 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

Why should I attend this course rather than one of the Microsoft courses?

This course has been developed independently from Microsoft Corporation and is objective in its approach. Our very independence from Microsoft (and any other vendor) allows us to give an unbiased view of which functions are especially well supported by Project Professional 2003 that will help you solve your real-world business problems.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

In addition to the aforementioned helpful courses (see "What background do I need?"), other related courses include:

• 538, SharePoint® 2007 Technologies: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to plan, design, deploy and utilise a real-world SharePoint solution for your organisation.
• 287, Strategic Project Management: Achieving Organisational Goals , provides practical experience using advanced methods to initiate, plan and control large or diverse projects.
• 290, Management Skills gives you a working knowledge of the key aspects of management--leadership, delegation, motivation and communication, and practical techniques for getting the best from people.
• 177, PRINCE2®: Achieving Practitioner Certification  provides the knowledge you need to take both the PRINCE2? Foundation Exam and the PRINCE2? Practitioner Exam.
• 1310, Microsoft Outlook®: Redefining How People Work provides the knowledge and skills to leverage the extensive features in Microsoft Outlook to increase productivity, configure the Outlook user interface, and effectively manage a high volume of e-mail.