book

Microsoft® Project 2007 Bible

Name: Microsoft® Project 2007 Bible
Author: Elaine Marmel
ISBN: 9780470009925

by Elaine Marmel

January 2007

Intermediate to advanced

960 pages

19h 36m

English

Wiley

Read now

Unlock full access

Copyright
About the Author
Credits
Preface
Why You Need This BookHow it's designedWhom it's forThe Special Features of This BookFormatting conventionsMargin iconsHow This Book Is OrganizedPart I: Project Management BasicsPart II: Getting Your Project GoingPart III: Refining Your ProjectPart IV: Tracking Your ProgressPart V: Working in GroupsPart VI: Advanced Microsoft ProjectAppendixesProject Management Glossary
Acknowledgments
I. Project Management Basics
1. The Nature of Projects
1.1. Understanding Projects1.1.1. Exploring project management1.1.1.1. Critical path and slack1.1.1.2. Durations and milestones1.1.1.3. Resource-driven schedules and fixed-duration tasks1.1.1.4. Diagrams that aid project management1.1.1.5. Dependencies1.1.2. Managing projects with project management software1.1.2.1. What's required of you1.1.2.2. What Microsoft Project can do to help1.2. The Life Cycle of a Project1.2.1. Identifying your goal and the project's scope1.2.2. Planning1.2.3. Revising1.2.4. Tracking1.2.5. Learning from your mistakes1.3. Summary
2. Exploring the Microsoft Project Environment
2.1. Taking a First Look at Project2.1.1. Starting Project2.1.1.1. Working with the Project Guide2.1.1.2. Examining the Gantt Chart view2.1.1.3. Using Project menus2.1.1.4. Examining the toolbars2.1.2. Entering information2.1.3. Changing views2.2. What's New in Project 20072.3. Summary
II. Getting Your Project Going
3. Creating a New Project
3.1. Gathering Information3.1.1. Determining detail tasks3.1.2. Establishing time limits3.1.3. Lining up your resources3.1.4. Looking at dependencies3.2. Opening a Project File3.2.1. Opening a project file — the usual way3.2.2. Other ways to open or start projects3.3. Establishing Basic Project Information3.4. Looking at Project Calendars3.4.1. Setting calendar options3.4.2. Setting schedule options3.4.3. Creating a new calendar3.4.3.1. Adjusting the calendar3.5. Entering Tasks3.6. Adding Subtasks3.7. Saving Project Files3.7.1. Saving files3.7.2. Saving files as templates3.7.3. Protecting files3.7.4. Closing Project3.8. Working with a Project Outline3.8.1. Adjusting tasks in an outline3.8.2. Copying tasks3.8.3. Displaying and hiding tasks3.9. Getting Help3.9.1. Using the Help system3.9.2. Finding online help3.10. Summary

4. Building Tasks
4.1. Establishing Timing for Tasks4.1.1. Fixed-unit tasks4.1.2. Fixed-duration tasks4.1.3. Fixed-work tasks4.1.4. Effort-driven tasks4.2. Assigning Task Timing4.2.1. Using the Gantt table4.2.2. Using the Task Information dialog box4.2.3. Using your mouse and the task bar4.2.4. Setting scheduling options4.2.5. Assigning a calendar to a task4.2.6. Creating milestones4.2.7. Timing for summary tasks4.3. Using Recurring Tasks4.4. Establishing Constraints and Deadline Dates4.4.1. Understanding constraints4.4.2. Using deadline dates4.4.3. Setting constraints and deadline dates4.5. Manipulating the Gantt Chart to View Timing4.6. Entering Task Notes4.7. Establishing Dependencies Among Tasks4.7.1. Understanding dependencies4.7.2. Understanding the interactions between constraints and dependencies4.7.3. Allowing for delays and overlap4.7.3.1. Dependency types4.7.3.1.1. Finish-to-Start (FS)4.7.3.1.2. Start-to-Finish (SF)4.7.3.1.3. Start-to-Start (SS)4.7.3.1.4. Finish-to-Finish (FF)4.7.4. Establishing dependencies4.7.4.1. Setting finish-to-start dependencies4.7.4.2. Setting other types of dependencies4.8. Viewing Dependencies4.9. Deleting Dependencies4.10. Summary
5. Creating Resources and Assigning Costs
5.1. Understanding Resources5.1.1. How resources work5.1.2. How Project uses resource information to affect the schedule5.1.3. How Project gathers cost information5.2. Creating a Resource List5.3. Modifying Resource Information5.3.1. Assigning a communication method5.3.2. Specifying resource availability5.3.3. Specifying a booking type5.3.4. Creating a generic resource and assigning custom fields5.3.5. Creating a budget resource5.3.6. Adding notes to a resource5.3.7. Calendars and resources5.3.7.1. Modifying a resource's working hours5.3.7.2. Blocking off vacation time5.4. Using Resources and Tasks5.4.1. Assigning resources to tasks5.4.2. Assigning a budget resource5.4.3. Getting help while selecting resources to assign5.4.4. Some tips about resource assignments5.4.5. Removing or replacing a resource assignment5.5. Handling Unusual Cost Situations5.5.1. Looking at the project's cost5.5.2. Assigning fixed costs5.5.2.1. Assigning a fixed cost to a task5.5.2.2. Assigning a fixed resource cost to a task5.5.3. Accounting for resource rate changes5.6. Summary
III. Refining Your Project
6. Understanding the Basics of Views
6.1. What Is a View?6.1.1. Changing a table6.1.2. Changing a Details section6.2. Examining Indicators6.3. Admiring the Views6.3.1. Calendar6.3.2. Detail Gantt6.3.3. Gantt Chart6.3.4. Leveling Gantt6.3.5. Tracking Gantt6.3.6. Multiple Baselines Gantt6.3.7. Network Diagram6.3.8. Descriptive Network Diagram6.3.9. Relationship Diagram6.3.10. PERT analysis views6.3.10.1. PERT Entry Sheet6.3.10.2. Optimistic Gantt6.3.10.3. Expected Gantt6.3.10.4. Pessimistic Gantt6.3.10.5. PERT Weights6.3.11. Resource Allocation6.3.12. Resource Form6.3.13. Resource Graph6.3.14. Resource Name Form6.3.15. Resource Sheet6.3.16. Resource Usage6.3.17. Rollup views6.3.17.1. Using the summary task bar6.3.17.2. Using the Rollup-Formatting macro6.3.17.3. Switching rollup views6.3.18. Task Details Form6.3.19. Task Entry6.3.20. Task Form6.3.21. Task Name Form6.3.22. Task Sheet6.3.23. Task Usage6.4. Printing Your Project6.5. Summary
7. Using Views to Gain Perspective
7.1. Customizing Views7.1.1. Changing tables7.1.1.1. Changing row height and column width7.1.1.2. Hiding and inserting columns7.1.1.3. Adding fields to a usage view7.1.1.4. Switching tables7.1.1.5. Creating new tables or editing existing tables7.1.2. Working with views7.1.2.1. Adding views7.1.2.2. Creating a combination view7.2. Ordering Tasks in a View7.2.1. Sorting tasks7.2.2. Creating WBS codes7.2.3. Renumbering WBS codes7.2.4. Defining outline numbers7.3. Filtering Views to Gain Perspective7.3.1. Applying a filter to a view7.3.2. Creating custom filters7.3.3. Using AutoFilters7.3.4. Using grouping7.4. Summary
8. Modifying the Appearance of Your Project
8.1. Changing Project's Looks8.2. Using the Gantt Chart Wizard8.3. Formatting Elements One by One8.3.1. Working with text8.3.1.1. Formatting selected text8.3.1.2. Applying formatting to categories of text8.3.2. Changing taskbars8.3.2.1. Formatting taskbars8.3.2.2. Changing the layout of the Gantt Chart8.3.2.3. Changing gridlines8.3.3. Changing network diagrams8.3.3.1. Formatting network diagram nodes8.3.3.2. Modifying node box styles8.3.3.3. Formatting fields that appear on nodes8.3.3.4. Changing the layout of the network diagram8.3.4. Formatting the Calendar view8.3.4.1. Formatting the Calendar entries8.3.4.2. Changing the Calendar layout8.4. Inserting Drawings and Objects8.4.1. Copying pictures8.4.2. Using visuals in schedules8.4.3. Inserting visual objects8.4.4. Using the Drawing toolbar8.4.5. Modifying graphics and drawings8.5. Summary
9. Resolving Scheduling Problems
9.1. Resolving Scheduling Conflicts9.1.1. Adding resources to tasks9.1.2. Using overtime9.1.3. Adding time to tasks9.1.4. Adjusting slack9.1.5. Changing task constraints9.1.6. Adjusting dependencies9.1.7. Splitting a task9.2. Using the Critical Path to Shorten a Project9.2.1. Identifying the critical path9.2.2. Shortening the critical path9.3. Using Multiple Critical Paths9.4. Summary
10. Resolving Resource Problems
10.1. Understanding How Resource Conflicts Occur10.2. Spotting Resource Conflicts10.2.1. Using views to spot resource conflicts10.2.2. Using filters to spot resource conflicts10.3. Resolving Conflicts10.3.1. Changing resource allocations10.3.1.1. Switching resources10.3.1.2. Adding a task assignment to a resource10.3.1.3. Adding or deleting a resource assignment10.3.2. Scheduling overtime10.3.3. Redefining a resource's calendar10.3.4. Assigning part-time work10.3.5. Controlling when resources start working on a task10.3.6. Delaying tasks by leveling resource workloads10.3.6.1. Letting Project level resource loads10.3.6.2. Making adjustments to leveling10.3.7. Contouring resources10.3.8. Setting a contour pattern10.3.8.1. Contouring a resource's availability10.3.9. Pooling resources10.4. Summary
IV. Tracking Your Progress
11. Understanding Tracking
11.1. Understanding the Principles of Tracking11.1.1. Estimates versus actuals11.1.2. Making adjustments as you go11.2. Using Baselines11.2.1. What is a baseline?11.2.2. Setting a baseline11.3. Changing the Baseline11.3.1. Adding a task to a baseline11.3.2. Using interim plans11.3.3. Clearing a baseline or interim plan11.4. Viewing Progress with the Tracking Gantt View11.4.1. Interpreting the Tracking Gantt view11.4.2. The Task Variance table11.4.3. The Task Cost table11.4.4. The Task Work table11.5. Understanding Tracking Strategies11.5.1. Tackling the work of tracking11.5.2. Keeping track of tracking11.6. Summary
12. Recording Actuals
12.1. Organizing the Updating Process12.2. Understanding Calculation Options12.3. Updating Tasks to Reflect Actual Information12.3.1. Setting actual start and finish dates12.3.2. Recording actual durations12.3.3. Setting the Percent Complete value12.3.4. Setting work completed12.3.5. Setting remaining durations12.4. Using Actuals and Costs12.4.1. Using the Cost table for tasks12.4.2. Using the Cost table for resources12.4.3. Overriding resource cost valuations12.5. Techniques and Tips for Updating12.5.1. Tracking work or costs regularly12.5.2. Accelerating the updating process12.5.3. Letting Project reschedule uncompleted work12.6. Reviewing Progress12.6.1. Using the Tracking Gantt view12.6.2. Using the Work table for tasks12.6.3. Using the Work table for resources12.6.4. Viewing progress lines12.7. Summary
13. Reporting on Progress
13.1. Creating Text Reports13.1.1. Looking at the big picture13.1.1.1. Project Summary13.1.1.2. Top Level Tasks13.1.1.3. Critical Tasks13.1.1.4. Milestones13.1.1.5. Working Days13.1.2. Generating reports on costs13.1.2.1. Cash Flow13.1.2.2. Earned Value13.1.2.3. Budget13.1.2.4. Overbudget reports13.1.3. Producing reports on time13.1.3.1. Unstarted Tasks13.1.3.2. Tasks Starting Soon13.1.3.3. Tasks in Progress13.1.3.4. Completed Tasks13.1.3.5. Should Have Started Tasks13.1.3.6. Slipping Tasks13.1.4. Preparing reports on work assignments13.1.4.1. Who Does What13.1.4.2. Who Does What When13.1.4.3. To Do List13.1.4.4. Overallocated Resources13.1.5. Reporting on workloads13.1.5.1. Task Usage13.1.5.2. Resource Usage13.1.6. Customizing reports13.1.6.1. Custom reports13.1.6.1.1. Task report13.1.6.1.2. Resource report13.1.6.1.3. Crosstab report13.1.6.2. Customizing an existing report13.2. Visual Reporting13.2.1. Task Usage reports13.2.1.1. Cash Flow Report13.2.1.2. Earned Value Over Time Report13.2.2. Resource usage reports13.2.2.1. Cash Flow Report13.2.2.2. Resource Availability Report13.2.2.3. Resource Cost Summary Report13.2.2.4. Resource Work Availability Report13.2.2.5. Resource Work Summary Report13.2.3. Assignment Usage reports13.2.3.1. Baseline Cost Report13.2.3.2. Baseline Report13.2.3.3. Baseline Work Report13.2.3.4. Budget Cost Report13.2.3.5. Budget Work Report13.2.4. Summary reports13.2.5. Critical Tasks Status Report13.2.5.1. Task Status Report13.2.5.2. Resource Remaining Work Report13.2.5.3. Resource Status Report13.2.6. Customizing visual report templates13.3. Summary
14. Analyzing Financial Progress
14.1. Understanding Earned Value14.1.1. Understanding earned value fields14.1.1.1. Using the Physical % Complete method to calculate earned value14.1.1.2. Setting the date for earned-value calculations14.1.2. Using earned value tables14.1.2.1. Using the Earned Value table for tasks14.1.2.2. Using the Earned Value table for resources14.1.2.3. Using the Earned Value Cost Indicators and Earned Value Schedule Indicators tables14.2. Evaluating Cost Information14.2.1. Charting earned value14.2.2. Using PivotTables for analysis14.3. Making Adjustments During the Project14.3.1. Changing the schedule14.3.2. Modifying resource assignments14.4. Summary
V. Working in Groups
15. Coordinating Multiple Projects Outside Project Server
15.1. Consolidating Projects15.1.1. Setting up to use consolidation15.1.2. Inserting a project15.1.3. Using inserted projects and their source files15.1.4. Consolidating all open projects: A shortcut15.1.5. Moving subprojects within a consolidated project15.2. Understanding Consolidated Projects and Dependencies15.2.1. Linking tasks across projects15.2.2. Changing links across projects15.2.3. Consolidated projects — to save or not to save15.3. Viewing Multiple Projects15.4. Viewing the Critical Path across Projects15.5. Sharing Resources Among Projects15.5.1. Creating a resource pool and sharing the resources15.5.2. Opening a project that uses a resource pool15.5.3. Updating information in the resource pool15.5.4. Quit sharing resources15.6. Summary
16. Preparing to Use Project Server
16.1. Understanding Project Server and Project Web Access16.2. What's New in Project Server 200716.3. Planning the Project16.3.1. Assessing requirements16.3.1.1. Identify the people who will approve the Project Server design16.3.1.2. Identify staff members to interview16.3.1.3. Create a requirements definition questionnaire16.3.1.4. Conduct interviews16.3.1.5. Calculate ROI16.3.2. Designing the system16.3.2.1. Assessing the technology environment16.3.2.2. Addressing special needs16.3.2.3. Establishing and enforcing organizational standards16.3.2.3.1. Custom fields16.3.2.3.2. Outline codes16.3.2.3.3. Views16.3.2.3.4. Calendars16.3.2.3.5. Enterprise resource pool16.3.2.4. Training16.3.3. Developing a strategy for implementation and configuration16.4. Avoiding the Pitfalls16.5. Summary
17. Installing and Configuring Project Server
17.1. Reviewing Requirements17.1.1. Meeting software requirements17.1.1.1. Software requirements for servers17.1.1.2. Software requirements for client computers17.1.2. Meeting hardware requirements17.1.2.1. Hardware requirements for servers17.1.2.2. Hardware requirements for client computers17.1.3. Assessing the network environment17.1.4. Considering software/hardware scenarios17.1.4.1. The Small Server Farm17.1.4.2. The Medium Server Farm17.1.4.3. The Large Server Farm17.2. Installing Peripheral Software17.2.1. SQL Server and Analysis Services17.2.2. Checking the SQL version17.2.3. Internet Information Services (IIS)17.2.3.1. Enabling IIS17.2.3.2. Checking the IIS mode17.2.4. Installing .NET Framework 3.017.3. Setting Up Windows Security Accounts17.3.1. Windows SharePoint Services Service account17.3.2. The Application Pool security account17.3.3. Site Collection Owner account17.3.4. Shared Service Provider Administrator account17.3.5. Project Server Instance Administrator account17.3.6. Creating an account17.4. Installing Project Server and Windows SharePoint Services17.5. Connecting to Project Server through Project Web Access17.6. Troubleshooting Your Installation17.7. Summary
18. Project Server and the Administrator
18.1. Double-Checking Settings18.1.1. Specifying Project Server features for your organization18.1.2. Managing Windows SharePoint Services18.1.3. Managing Security Settings18.1.3.1. Managing security templates18.1.3.2. Managing groups18.1.3.3. Working with categories18.2. Managing Users18.3. Working with Views18.4. Working with the Enterprise Global Template18.4.1. Working with the Enterprise Global18.4.2. Defining Enterprise custom fields18.4.3. Creating Enterprise calendars18.5. Setting Up and Editing Enterprise Resources18.5.1. Creating the Enterprise Resource Pool18.5.2. Editing resources in the Enterprise Resource Pool18.6. Importing Projects18.7. Managing Timesheet and Task Settings18.7.1. Financial Periods18.7.2. Timesheet Periods18.7.3. Timesheet classifications18.7.4. Timesheet Settings and Defaults18.7.5. Timesheet classifications18.7.6. Close Tasks to Update18.7.7. Setting Up Administrative Time18.8. Customizing Project Web Access18.8.1. Control the appearance of the Quick Launch pane18.8.2. Selecting the Gantt taskbar styles and timescales18.8.3. Selecting grouping formats18.9. Housekeeping Chores18.9.1. Checking in enterprise projects and resources18.9.2. Managing information in the Project Server databases18.9.3. Backing up and restoring18.9.3.1. Schedule backups18.9.3.2. Make a backup18.9.3.3. Restore a backup18.9.4. Managing the Queue18.9.5. Managing the OLAP cube18.9.5.1. Migrating the Analysis Services Repository18.9.5.2. Configuring the cube18.9.5.3. Establish cube building settings18.9.5.4. Checking cube building status18.9.5.5. Enabling users to view the cube18.9.6. Managing operations18.9.6.1. Alerts and reminders18.9.6.2. Configuring the server-side event handler18.9.6.3. Synchronizing the Enterprise Resource Pool with an Active Directory Group18.9.6.4. Working with Project Workspaces18.10. Summary
19. Project Server and the Project/Resource Manager
19.1. Connecting to Project Server19.1.1. Creating a Project Server logon account19.1.2. Logging on to Project Server19.2. Creating a Web-Based Project19.2.1. Understanding the structure of the Project Server database19.2.2. Reviewing a project's Web-based options19.2.3. Storing a draft project in the Project Server database19.2.4. Publishing project information19.3. Working with Web-Based Projects19.3.1. Opening a project stored in the Project Server database19.3.1.1. Understanding the Open dialog box19.3.1.2. Opening a draft project or a published project19.3.1.3. Closing a project stored in the Project Server database19.3.2. Managing the local cache19.3.3. Viewing Project Server pages in Project Professional19.3.4. Using activity plans and proposals19.4. Assigning Resources to Projects19.4.1. Adding enterprise resources to your project19.4.2. Replacing generic resources with real resources19.4.3. Notifying resources of assignments19.4.4. Using the Resource Substitution Wizard19.4.5. Assigning resources using Project Web Access19.5. Tracking Progress19.5.1. Establishing a tracking method19.5.2. Setting up status reports19.5.3. Receiving updates from team members19.5.4. Working with issues and risks19.5.4.1. Tracking issues19.5.4.2. Tracking risks19.5.5. Managing deliverables19.6. Summary
20. Project Server and the Day-to-Day User
20.1. Logging on to Project Web Access20.2. Reviewing the Home Page20.3. Customizing the Home Page20.4. Viewing Information20.4.1. Working with your tasks20.4.1.1. Entering time on tasks20.4.1.2. Submitting task updates20.4.1.3. Adding tasks20.4.1.4. Reassigning a task20.4.2. Working with your timesheet20.4.2.1. Entering time20.4.2.2. Saving timesheet entries20.4.2.3. Reporting administrative time20.5. Project Web Access and Microsoft Outlook20.5.1. Integrating the Outlook Calendar with Project Web Access20.5.1.1. Setting up integration20.5.1.2. Setting integration options20.5.1.3. Importing Project Web Access assignments into Outlook20.5.1.4. Updating Project Web Access with Outlook information20.6. Working with Documents20.7. Reporting Status20.8. Summary
21. Project Server and the Executive
21.1. Reviewing Your Portfolio21.2. Identifying Trends and Potential Problems21.3. Summary
VI. Advanced Microsoft Project
22. Customizing Microsoft Project
22.1. Using Custom Fields22.1.1. Customizing data entry22.1.1.1. Creating a custom field22.1.1.2. Using a custom field for data entry22.1.2. Using formulas in custom fields22.2. Modifying the Interface22.2.1. Setting levels of Undo22.2.2. Windows taskbar icons22.2.3. Saving Project files22.2.4. Using the Organizer22.2.5. Making changes to toolbars22.2.5.1. Combining or separating toolbars22.2.5.2. Adding and deleting tools from a toolbar22.2.5.3. Creating custom toolbars22.2.5.4. Changing and editing button images22.2.6. Customizing project menus22.2.6.1. Adding menus22.2.6.2. Assigning new commands22.2.6.3. Deleting commands and menus22.3. Summary
23. Using Macros to Speed Your Work
23.1. Using Macros23.2. Recording Macros23.3. Running Macros23.4. Using Shortcuts to Run Macros23.4.1. Assigning a macro to a toolbar button23.4.2. Assigning a macro to a menu command23.4.3. Assigning a keyboard shortcut to a macro23.5. Summary
24. Customizing Microsoft Project Using VBA and Active Scripting
24.1. Example One: Creating a Filter to See Critical Tasks and Resource Assignments24.1.1. Recording a macro to create a filter for critical tasks24.1.2. Editing the macro to show only specified resources24.1.3. Testing the code24.2. Example Two: Creating a UserForm Object to Adjust Work24.2.1. Designing the UserForm24.2.1.1. Creating a UserForm24.2.1.2. Adjusting the size of the UserForm24.2.1.3. Adding controls to the UserForm24.2.1.3.1. Label control24.2.1.3.2. ComboBox control24.2.1.3.3. TextBox control24.2.1.3.4. CommandButton control24.2.2. Adding code to the UserForm24.2.2.1. Adding code to display resource names24.2.2.2. Adding code to the OK button to change work24.2.2.3. Adding code to the Cancel button24.2.3. Adding a sub procedure to show the UserForm24.3. Example Three: Customizing the Project Guide24.3.1. Content of the Project Guide XML document24.3.2. Project Guide XML document elements24.3.3. Defining the Project Guide for a project24.3.3.1. Customizing the Project Guide to create a new project24.3.3.2. Adding a new task to the Tasks goal area24.3.3.3. Creating a custom HTML page24.3.3.4. Deploying the customized Project Guide24.4. Summary
25. Importing and Exporting Project Information
25.1. Understanding General Importing and Exporting Concepts25.2. Exporting Information25.2.1. Saving reporting information in an OLAP Cube or an Access database25.2.2. Exporting to Office files25.2.2.1. Sending Project data to Excel25.2.2.2. Sending Project data to Microsoft Word25.2.3. Exporting Project information to a graphic image25.2.4. Exporting to text files25.3. Importing Information25.3.1. Inserting another project25.3.2. Importing Office files25.3.2.1. Bringing Excel workbook information into Project25.3.2.2. Bringing Access database information into Project25.3.2.3. Bringing Outlook task lists into Project25.3.2.4. Bringing Word document information into Project25.3.2.4.1. Pasting information from Word into Project25.3.2.4.2. Linking or embedding a Word document in Project25.3.3. Importing other files25.3.3.1. Importing Microsoft project Exchange files25.3.3.2. Importing text files25.4. Troubleshooting25.4.1. Project imports incorrect times in data from Microsoft Excel25.4.2. Linked or embedded objects don't import or export25.4.3. The export file contains more or less information than expected25.4.4. Project imports invalid information25.4.5. The values of imported information change25.4.6. The imported project is empty25.4.7. Project displays imported information in the wrong fields25.5. Summary
26. Project Case Studies
26.1. Case 126.1.1. Problem statement26.1.2. Problem solution26.1.3. Business benefits26.1.4. Problem solvers26.2. Case 226.2.1. Problem statement26.2.2. Problem solution26.2.3. Problem solvers26.3. Case 326.3.1. Problem statement26.3.2. Problem solution26.3.3. Problem solvers26.4. Case 426.4.1. Problem statement26.4.2. Problem solution26.4.3. Problem solver26.5. Case 526.5.1. Problem statement26.5.2. Problem solution26.5.3. Problem solvers26.6. Case 626.6.1. Problem statement26.6.2. Problem solution26.6.3. Problem solvers26.7. Case 726.7.1. Project statement26.7.2. Project solution26.7.3. Problem solvers26.8. Summary
VII. Appendixes
A. What's on the CD-ROM
A.1. System RequirementsA.2. Using the CDA.3. Software on the CD-ROMA.3.1. PDFA.3.2. Empire TIMEA.3.3. Milestones ProfessionalA.3.4. Milestones Project companion 2006, from Kidasa SoftwareA.3.5. PERT Chart EXPERTA.3.6. PertMaster Project RiskA.3.7. Project KickStartA.3.8. WBS Chart ProA.4. Project Sample FilesA.5. What's on the Web SiteA.6. Troubleshooting
B. Project Management Worksheet
B.1. Phase I: ResearchB.2. Phase II: PlanningB.3. Phase III: Creating Your Project ScheduleB.3.1. Checklist for creating a Project scheduleB.4. Phase IV: Tracking Your ProjectB.4.1. Tracking procedures checklistB.5. Phase V: Preparing for the Next Project
C. Available Fields and Functions for Custom Field Formulas
D. Project Management Resources
D.1. AssociationsD.2. PublicationsD.2.1. BooksD.2.2. Journals and magazinesD.3. OnlineD.4. Software Products
Glossary
Wiley Publishing, Inc. End-User License Agreement

Content preview from Microsoft® Project 2007 Bible

Chapter 14. Analyzing Financial Progress

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding earned value
Evaluating cost information
Making adjustments during the project

When you analyze the progress of your project, you must measure not only the progress or the schedule but also the progress based on the costs that you incur. In Microsoft Project, you measure the earned value of your project.

Understanding Earned Value

Earned value is the measurement that project managers use to evaluate the progress of a project based on the cost of work performed up to the project status date. When Project calculates earned value, by default it compares your original cost estimates to the actual work performed to show whether your project is on budget. You can think of earned value as a measurement that indicates how much of the budget should have been spent in comparison to the cost of the work performed thus far to the baseline cost for the task, resource, or assignment.

Note

You can calculate earned value by manually recording the Physical % Complete instead of letting Project calculate % Complete, which is actual duration divided by total duration.

To work with and use earned value information effectively, you must first perform the following tasks:

Save a baseline for your project
Assign resources with costs to tasks in your project
Complete some work on your project

Understanding earned value fields

The fields that appear as headings in the Earned Value report you saw in Chapter 13 also appear on various earned value tables. ...

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

Read now

Unlock full access

More than 5,000 organizations count on O’Reilly

O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.

Julian F.

Head of Cybersecurity

I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.

Addison B.

Field Engineer

I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.

Amir M.

Data Platform Tech Lead

I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.

Mark W.

Embedded Software Engineer

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780470009925Purchase book

Cloud Computing

Data Engineering

Data Science

AI & ML

Programming Languages

Software Architecture

IT/Ops

Security

Design

Business