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The Nuts and
Bolts of Successful Project Management
We specialize in assisting corporate and government clients in learning to
improve their productivity while planning and executing projects.
Our three-phase approach yields faster more efficient project initiation,
planning and execution results.
We also offer a one-day class on Microsoft Project 2000TM for
users wanting to improve their productivity in using the software.
Microsoft Project 2000TM is a registered
trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Find out more....
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Project Management Tips
In each issue we pass along tips and tricks concerning Project Management
and Microsoft Project 2000TM software. Please feel free to
pass this newsletter along to others.
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· The Single Most Common Microsoft
Project Error
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The
single most common error novice MS Project users make is typing in the
beginning or end date of a task. Almost all current Project Management
scheduling software shows the cascading consequences of task delays based
on project dependency logic. When you type a beginning or end date of a
task, you potentially disturb this logic.
Typing a beginning date of a task constrains it. The task is not solely
dependent on the logic of its predecessors to drive it but is pinned to a
particular date. The task respects the date rather than the project logic
to determine its start or finish.
Open a project file, add a task and type in a start date for that task.
Then double click on the task and select the Advanced Tab.
The
Constraint type says "Start No Earlier than" and the Constraint
date is the date you typed in. Start No Earlier than (abbreviated SNET)
means that a task could start later, but can't "float
upstream". Of the six different constraints it is the most
"mild" or least constraining. (How often can you start a task
early?)
To remove a constraint, click on the Constraint Type drop-down box,
return it to the default "As Soon as Possible" (ASAP), and
click OK. Here's how to easily de-SNET a whole project:
1) Insert the Constraint Type column.
2) If the first task in your project is not "As Soon as
Possible", make it ASAP in the Constraint Type column.
3) Select the entire column and choose Edit: Fill: Down. All the tasks
are returned to being driven by their predecessor logic as opposed to a
date you typed in.
Constraints have their legitimate uses but must be approached with
"restraint".
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· Visit Us At The Training Directors
Forum in Las Vegas
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If
you are going to attend the Training Director Forum in Las Vegas let us know. Send an email
to bhall@theprojectgroup.biz or call 415-572-3084 to
receive your invitation to visit our hospitality suite.
The Forum is being held June 9-12, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency Lake
Las Vegas, NV.
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· The Next Issue
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Our
June issue will take a look at the lighter side of project management.
Visit our website
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· When your team members don't have MS
Project and You Want to Communicate With Them
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Not
all your team members, sponsors or extended team members may have MS-
Project much less be able to easily read and understand a project plan
you send them. Consider also that good communication is focused. It leads
viewers directly to the story you want your data to tell.
You can capture images of you MS Project schedule with the Copy Picture
feature, the little camera icon at the right end of the Standard toolbar:
It allows you to take a snapshot of any part of your Gantt chart and
produce a graphics file you can send independently or create images in
desktop software like Word or PowerPoint.
"To make oneself understood to the people, one must first speak to
their eyes."
Napoleon Bonaparte
Full
story on using Copy Picture in MS Project 2000
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· Previous Newsletters
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A
copy of this and previous newsletters may be found online at the link
below.
If you are interested in having us present either our Microsoft Project
in One Day course or Project Management Nuts and Bolts to employees at
your company, please contact us today.
See Previous Newsletters
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