Mastering Microsoft Project 2016, Part 2: Managing a Project

Enter task progress and update the project plan using percent complete, status date, and remaining duration, then use mark on track and the update task dialog box for scheduling accuracy.

Sync Microsoft Project with SharePoint to update task progress and enable two-way updates. Save to SharePoint, edit tasks, and keep project plans current across SharePoint lists and document libraries.

Update actual work and remaining work for tasks using the work table, adjust hours, and track how changes roll up to summary and project tasks.

Master updating costs in Microsoft Project plans by adjusting actual costs in the cost table and assignments, using the Assignment Information dialog box Tracking tab and the Task Usage view.

Learn to view project progress with plan views, including the Gantt chart and calendar. Use start date and resource grouping, highlighting, filtering, and outlining to focus on critical path items.

Learn to create and rename custom fields in a Microsoft Project plan. Build a grant criteria lookup table with graphical indicators and use a days left formula to track deadlines.

Create customized project plan views, including single and combo views, to display incomplete tasks using a table and filter, then save and reuse them via more views and the organizer.

Create a network diagram to visualize task sequencing, dependencies, and the critical path using nodes and arrows, with PDM conventions and milestone and summary shapes.

Analyze project progress with earned value calculations: budget at completion, planned value, actual cost, and earned value, and track variances against the baseline using project statistics.

Edit a task list in the Gantt chart to reflect plan changes, monitor slippage, manage dependencies with Autolink, and insert or inactivate tasks while preserving the baseline.

Learn how to reschedule tasks in Microsoft Project 2016 by using split tasks, moving tasks, and updating the project to handle delays, conflicts, and resource availability.

Update baselines and interim plans in Microsoft Project 2016, save multiple baselines, and copy start and finish dates to start 1 and finish 1 for progress comparisons against the plan.

Format and share the Gantt Chart and Timeline views, using Timeline and Gantt Chart tools contextual tabs to customize fonts, dates, colors, and copy options for email, presentation.

Explore how to view and customize built-in reports in Microsoft Project 2016, including dashboards, resource and cost reports, and in progress summaries, to present project status clearly.

Create and customize new reports in Microsoft Project 2016 by starting a New Report, adding a table, chart, hyperlink, and a logo, then format with Report Tools Design.

Create and export visual reports from Project to Excel or Visio, showing baseline, work, and actuals with pivot charts and diagrams, while customizing fields and usage levels for insights.

Learn to tailor Microsoft Project 2016 by using the Backstage Options to adjust eleven areas—from general UI and scheduling to ribbon customization and Trust Center settings.

Learn how to create and save a custom project plan template in Microsoft Project 2016, export it as a template, remove baselines, and reuse default data for new home projects.

Create a single central resource pool file in a shared location, share resources across projects to track availability and conflicts, and manage allocations by pool precedence or sharer precedence.

Learn how to link master and subprojects in Microsoft Project 2016 by inserting subprojects, creating two-way or one-way links, and managing external predecessors or successors for cross-project dependencies.