MS Project

EE 482 for Summer 1997

The best way to learn MS Project is to experiment. Look under each of the menu bars and try different commands. Double click or right click on different options to learn more about them. If you ever want to know how to do something, the answer wizard (under the menu item Help) does a fine job of helping you learn the specific skills.

  1. When MS Project starts, it will prompt you with several options, choose >Create Your First Project
    This will start you with a blank project and a tutorial dialogue box to help you in creating your first project. Proceed step by step through the tutorial.
  2. Double-click on a "task"
    This brings up a Task Information box in which you can change the Tasks properties (for example, once a project is begun you may update the Percent Complete: box to show the progress of the task)
  3. Open the Resource Assignment box (do this by clicking on the icon with the picture of two people)
    Double-click on a "resource"
    This brings up a Resource Information Box in which you can change the Resources properties (for example, you may set the pay rate here, and specify the maximum amount of this resource you have on hand under Max Units:)
  4. Highlight the first "task"
    Click Insert--> Insert Task (this allows you to insert a new task at the top
    Enter a new "task" called Total Project (or whatever you want)
    Highlight all the "tasks" below the first "task" and click on the icon with the picture of the right pointing arrow (this makes all the other "tasks" subtasks of the first one)
  5. Major "tasks" in a project (such as finishing wiring the Proto Board) can be shown by "milestones". To make a "milestone", created a task and assign it duration of zero.
  6. Project allows you to print out your project in many views. A few example printouts are attached as separate handouts.

This handout only gives the basics of MS Project. If you wish to know more, experimentation is recommended.

If you encounter difficulties and would like some help, or something clarified, contact John Kelley at kelleyj9@egr.msu.edu