How to Learn Microsoft Projects

Microsoft Project is a project management program designed by Microsoft and first released in the 1980s. Today, it is one of the most widely used project management programs in North America. Businesses use the program to assign projects, track job progress and manage the entire workforce. The program's complexity can be difficult to understand for first-time users, but those who take time to learn Microsoft Project will benefit from its various resources and tools.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Launch the Microsoft Project program by double-clicking its icon on your Windows desktop or selecting it from within your Windows "Start" menu. Take a cursory glance over the software's interface to familiarize yourself with its basic components. Navigational guides are in the left and top rows of the program. A spreadsheet-like task frame is displayed in the center of the screen.

2. Click the "Help" icon, shaped like a question mark, in the top right-hand side of the Microsoft Project window. Microsoft's built-in help guide will appear. Use the left-hand side of the help guide to review basic usage guidelines for the software, such as how to create a new task. This is the best option for those who know how to use most of the Project software's features but need guidance on a specific function.

3. Discuss your questions on Microsoft's official Microsoft Project discussion group (see Resources). Many industry experts and everyday users congregate in the discussion group to discuss solutions to common problems and better ways to integrate the software into standard business use.

4. Take an online class. The Microsoft Corp. runs the Enterprise Project Management University (see Resources), designed to education users on using Microsoft Project. These courses are conducted online using pre-recorded videos, as well as standard printed classroom material. Interested individuals may register online.

5. Attend a training event through the EPM University (see Resources). This option is best for those who would prefer to learn in a real-world environment with an actual instructor. Microsoft holds events year-round at universities and conferences across North America. Individuals may register by logging onto the EPM website and clicking "Attend."

6. Study a book. There are various guidebooks available for Microsoft Project that offer more details than the software's in-product guide and can help individuals learn individual steps while using the software. Example books include "Microsoft Project 2007: The Missing Manual" by Bonnie Biafore, "Microsoft Office Project 2007 Step by Step" by Carl Chatfield and "Microsoft Office Project 2007 for Dummies" by Nany C. Muir. In most books, consult the chapter that discusses your current problem for an analysis and step-by-step solution.

Tips & Warnings

• A holistic approach to learning Microsoft Project, such as attending Microsoft's university course while studying a reference book on the side, may accelerate your learning process.

References

• Microsoft Project: Product Information
• Microsoft Project 2007: The Missing Manual; Bonnie Biafore; 2007

Resources

• Official Microsoft Project Website
• Microsoft Project Discussion Group
• Microsoft Project University