Master Project Management with MS Project Pro 2021

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Introduction

Project management is a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning, execution, and monitoring of various activities, resources, and outcomes. Project managers need to have the right tools and skills to manage their projects effectively and efficiently. One of the best tools for project management is Microsoft Project Professional 2021, the latest version of the popular project management software from Microsoft.

Microsoft Project Professional 2021 is a powerful and versatile software that can help you manage your projects from start to finish. Whether you are working on a small or large project, it can help you create, schedule, track, and collaborate on your project with ease and accuracy. 

In this blog, we will show you how to use Microsoft Project Professional 2021 to manage your projects effectively.

Create your project

The first step in managing your project is to create it in Microsoft Project Professional 2021. You can start from scratch or use one of the many pre-built templates available in the software. To create your project, follow these steps:

  • Open Microsoft Project Professional 2021 and click on File > New
  • Choose either Blank Project or one of the templates from the list
  •  Enter a name for your project and click on Create

You will see a blank Gantt chart view, where you can enter your project tasks, durations, dependencies, and other details.

Schedule your project

The next step in managing your project is to schedule it in Microsoft Project Professional 2021. You can use the software’s automated scheduling tools to calculate the start and end dates of your tasks based on their durations, dependencies, constraints, and resources. You can also use the manual scheduling mode to enter your own dates and adjust them as needed. To schedule your project, follow these steps:

  • In the Gantt chart view, enter the names of your tasks in the Task Name column
  • Enter the durations of your tasks in the Duration column. You can use different units, such as days, weeks, months, or hours
  • Enter the dependencies of your tasks in the Predecessors column. You can use different types of dependencies, such as finish-to-start (FS), start-to-start (SS), finish-to-finish (FF), or start-to-finish (SF)
  • Enter any constraints or deadlines for your tasks in the Constraint Type and Deadline columns. You can use different types of constraints, such as soon as possible (ASAP), as late as possible (ALAP), must start on (MSO), must finish on (MFO), start no earlier than (SNET), start no later than (SNLT), finish no earlier than (FNET), or finish no later than (FNLT)
  • Assign resources to your tasks in the Resource Names column. You can use different types of resources, such as work resources (people or equipment), material resources (consumable items), or cost resources (fixed costs)
  • Review and adjust your project schedule in the Gantt chart view. You can use the Task Inspector pane to see more details about your tasks and resolve any scheduling issues

Track your project

The next step in managing your project is to track it in Microsoft Project Professional 2021. You can use the software’s tracking tools to record the actual progress and performance of your project and compare it with the baseline plan. You can also use the software’s reporting tools to generate and share various reports on your project status, costs, resources, risks, and more. To track your project, follow these steps:

  • Save a baseline plan for your project by clicking on Project > Set Baseline > Set Baseline
  • Update the actual start and finish dates of your tasks in the Actual Start and Actual Finish columns
  • Update the actual work done and the remaining work for your tasks in the Actual Work and Remaining Work columns
  • Update the actual costs incurred and remaining costs for your tasks in the Actual Cost and Remaining Cost columns
  • Review and analyze your project progress and performance in the Gantt chart view. You can use indicators, such as progress bars, variance bars, slippage bars, or task path highlighting, to see how your project is doing compared to the baseline plan
  • Generate and share various reports on your project by clicking on Project > Reports. You can choose from different types of reports, such as dashboard reports, status reports, cost reports, resource reports, risk reports, or custom reports

Collaborate on your project

The final step in managing your project is to collaborate on it with Microsoft Project Professional 2021. You can use the software’s collaboration tools to communicate and coordinate with your team members and stakeholders on your project. You can also use the software’s integration tools to sync your project with other Microsoft applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, or Power BI. To collaborate on your project, follow these steps:

  • Share your project file with your team members and stakeholders by clicking on File > Share > Save to Cloud. You can save your project file to OneDrive, SharePoint, or Project Online
  • Communicate and coordinate with your team members and stakeholders by clicking on File > Share > Chat with Teams. You can start chats or calls through Microsoft Teams for Business (licensed separately)
  • Sync your project with other Microsoft applications by clicking on File > Export. You can export your project data to Microsoft Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, or Power BI

Conclusion

Microsoft Project Professional 2021 is a powerful and versatile software that can help you manage your projects effectively. You can use the software to create, schedule, track, and collaborate on your projects with ease and accuracy. Whether you are working on a small or large project, it can help you achieve your project goals and deliver successful outcomes.

TresBizz is a global IT software solutions company that can provide you with the best software products and services for your business needs. We are also a certified partner of Microsoft and can help you with the installation, and support of Microsoft Project Professional 2021. Contact us today and let us help you optimize your project management process.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • WHAT IS MICROSOFT PROJECT PROFESSIONAL 2021?

Microsoft Project Professional 2021 is the latest version of Microsoft’s project management software. It offers a range of features to help users create, schedule, track, and collaborate on projects efficiently.

  • HOW DO I CREATE A PROJECT USING MICROSOFT PROJECT PROFESSIONAL 2021?

To create a project, open the software, go to File > New, choose Blank Project or a template, enter the project name, and click Create. You’ll be presented with a blank Gantt chart to input tasks, durations, dependencies, and more.

  • HOW DO I SCHEDULE TASKS IN MICROSOFT PROJECT PROFESSIONAL 2021?

Input task names, durations, dependencies, and constraints in the Gantt chart view. You can use automated scheduling tools or set dates manually. Dependencies can be finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, or start-to-finish.

  • HOW CAN I TRACK THE PROGRESS OF MY PROJECT IN MICROSOFT PROJECT PROFESSIONAL 2021?

Update task details in the Actual Start, Actual Finish, Actual Work, and Remaining Work columns. You can also monitor actual costs and remaining costs. Compare actual progress against the baseline plan using indicators in the Gantt chart view.

  • WHERE CAN I Buy MICROSOFT PROJECT PROFESSIONAL 2021?

You can Buy Microsoft Project Professional 2021 through TresBizz, a reputable global IT software solutions company and certified Microsoft partner.

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