What is Microsoft Project (MS Project)?

Microsoft Project (MS Project) is a planning and management tool that enables project managers and staff to monitor, communicate, predict and control project progress. The basic function of MS Project is to translate data into clear diagrams (e.g. Gantt charts) depicting task schedule, dependencies and priorities.

MS Project versions

Microsoft Project 2000 expanded the range of data types that could be imported into MS Project, allowing users to analyse the critical path of multiple projects. More complex features of MS Project 2000 also included tracking, management and reporting capabilities.

Although MS Project 2000 is still in use, many project managers prefer the advanced functions and intelligence of MS Project 2003, which provides automatic, contextualised suggestions for scheduling options, online help, a library of pre-set templates and wizards to create certain documents and features, and a step-by-step, interactive guide to creating a project.

The main differences between MS Project 2003 and MS Project 2007 involved a higher degree of sophistication and choice in modelling, tracking and reporting features.

Why MS Project?

The ability to use MS Project is top of the list for project management employers, according to IT Jobs Watch. The average salary of an IT professional competent in Microsoft Project software is over £40k p.a. In parts of the UK this rises to almost £50k p.a. Like it or not, MS Project is one of the most desirable strings to the bow of the project management job-seeker.

Benefits of Microsoft Project training

• Learn the basic functions of MS Project
• Enhance existing use of MS Project functions and tools
• Plan projects using Microsoft Project software
• Demonstrate competence using MS Project
• Enhance your project management CV

Who needs Microsoft Project training?

• Project/programme managers
• Anyone involved in project management using MS Project software
• Project planning staff
• Anyone who wants to improve their project management CV
• Anyone who wants to gain Microsoft Project certification

Microsoft Project (MS Project) training courses

The increasing complexity of MS Project makes comprehensive training courses essential to benefitting fully from MS Project software. Basic MS Project training courses cover activities such as:


• Creating project plans
• Consolidating and sharing projects
• Formatting Gantt charts

Advanced training courses include modules such as:


• PERT analysis
• Creating macros

Microsoft Project training courses are available for the earlier versions of MS Project, but MS Project 2007 training is recommended for users who want to keep their skill set up-to-date.