Microsoft Project Proficiency In Week 2 You Began Creating A

Microsoft Project Proficiencyin Week 2 You Began Creating A Project P

Microsoft Project Proficiency in Week 2, you began creating a project plan in Microsoft Project. By now, you should have an idea about your level of comfort in using this software. You have most likely discovered some helpful techniques and may also have an idea of areas in which you could use help. Both your newfound skills and your areas of concern are valuable insights that could assist your colleagues. In this Discussion, you assess your first experiences using Microsoft Project and exchange tips with your colleagues.

To prepare: Think about your initial comfort level in using Microsoft Project. What difficulties did you have? How were you able to move past them? Consider new techniques or skills you have developed through your initial use of Microsoft Project. Consider which of these skills or techniques might be useful to your colleagues.

Reflect on any areas of Microsoft Project in which you could use help. Post by tomorrow 9/13/16 550 words in APA format. Cite at least 2 references and include the level 1 headings as numbered below: 1) An assessment of your level of comfort in using Microsoft Project. 2) Describe a technique or tip you learned through your initial experience with Microsoft Project that might be useful to your colleagues. 3) Specify an area in which you could use help. Required Readings Biafore, B. (2010). Microsoft Project 2010: The missing manual . Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly. Chapter 2, “Planning a Project” (pp. 39–57). This chapter supplies a brief introduction on project planning. The chapter describes the contents of a project plan along with the process of creating relevant documents. Coplan, S., & Masuda, D. (2011). Project management for healthcare information technology . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Chapter 5, “Change Management” (pp. 193–237). In this chapter, the authors review change management knowledge areas. The authors describe a variety of analysis methods applicable to change management processes and outputs. Project Management Institute. (2013). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide) (5th ed.). Newtown Square, PA: Author. Chapter 3, “Project Management Processes” (pp. 47–61). This chapter supplies information on managing a project that uses networked processes. The chapter describes project management processes related to each phase of a project. Campbell, R. J. (2008). Change management in health care. The Health Care Manager, 27(1), 23–39. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. In this article, the author highlights the work of two leaders in the field of change management. The author demonstrates how the work of these leaders can be applied to health care organizations. Merrell, P. (2012). Effective change management: The simple truth. Management Services, 56(2), 20–23. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. In this article, the author provides six steps for effective change management. The author also supplies supplementary information on the importance of learning activities, measuring success, and managing change management strategies. Required Media Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Establishing a team [Video file]. Retrieved from. Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes. In this video, Dr. Mimi Hassett discusses important considerations when assembling a project team, such as who to include and whom to consult. She talks about how project size, goals, and timelines can impact those decisions, and she also offers examples of how to keep enthusiasm for a project moving forward as the challenges toward completion arise. Schifalacqua, M., Costello, C., & Denman, W. (2009). Roadmap for planned change, part 1: Change leadership and project management. Nurse Leader, 7(2), 26–29. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. In this article, the authors explore the essential elements of change theory and project management. The article details many tools and concepts that assist in managing and planning change at various scales. Microsoft Corporation. (2012). Getting started: Introduction to project management. Retrieved from. This webpage provides an overview of basic project management concepts and includes links to demonstrate how to apply these concepts in Microsoft Project 2010.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Microsoft Project is a powerful project management tool widely used across various industries to streamline project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking. As an initial user, my experience with Microsoft Project has been both enlightening and challenging. Developing proficiency necessitates understanding the core functionalities and navigating the software interface efficiently. This paper provides an assessment of my comfort level, shares a useful tip I learned, and identifies areas where I seek additional help to enhance my skills in using Microsoft Project effectively.

1) An assessment of your level of comfort in using Microsoft Project

Initially, I found myself somewhat overwhelmed by the complexity of Microsoft Project’s interface, which offers numerous functions and options. Navigating through the Gantt chart, task lists, and resource views required significant familiarization. My comfort level has gradually increased as I began to understand the project templates and how to input project tasks, durations, and dependencies correctly. However, I still encounter difficulties with resource leveling and managing complex task dependencies, which sometimes lead to inaccuracies in project timelines. Despite these challenges, hands-on experience has improved my confidence in creating basic project schedules and adjusting task durations, although mastery over advanced features remains a work in progress.

2) Describe a technique or tip you learned through your initial experience with Microsoft Project that might be useful to your colleagues

A particularly valuable technique I uncovered is the use of the “Task Linking” feature to establish dependencies between activities. By establishing predecessor-successor relationships, I can automatically adjust subsequent tasks' start dates when earlier tasks are delayed or completed ahead of schedule. This technique ensures project timelines are dynamic and responsive to real-time changes, making project updates more manageable. Additionally, utilizing the "Critical Path" feature allows for easy identification of tasks that directly affect the project completion date. These features collectively facilitate more accurate and adaptable project scheduling, which I believe would be beneficial to colleagues managing complex projects and keen on maintaining an up-to-date schedule efficiently.

3) Specify an area in which you could use help

Although I have made strides in using basic functions, I find myself needing further guidance on resource management, particularly resource leveling and overall resource allocation. Managing multiple resources and avoiding overallocation remains challenging, especially in projects with numerous overlapping tasks. I believe that a deeper understanding of resource management tools within Microsoft Project would help me optimize resource utilization, prevent burnout, and keep projects on schedule. I am also interested in learning about customizing reports and dashboards for better project monitoring and communication with stakeholders.

In conclusion, my initial experience with Microsoft Project has been a learning curve but also a valuable stepping stone toward more effective project management. As I continue to explore its features, I aim to improve my proficiency in resource management and reporting, which are critical for successful project delivery. Sharing these insights and challenges can also aid colleagues in navigating similar hurdles and developing a collaborative approach to mastering Microsoft Project.

References

• Biafore, B. (2010). Microsoft Project 2010: The missing manual. O’Reilly Media.
• Coplan, S., & Masuda, D. (2011). Project management for healthcare information technology. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Project Management Institute. (2013). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide) (5th ed.). PMI.
• Campbell, R. J. (2008). Change management in health care. The Health Care Manager, 27(1), 23–39.
• Merrell, P. (2012). Effective change management: The simple truth. Management Services, 56(2), 20–23.
• Laureate Education. (2013). Establishing a team [Video].
• Schifalacqua, M., Costello, C., & Denman, W. (2009). Roadmap for planned change, part 1: Change leadership and project management. Nurse Leader, 7(2), 26–29.
• Microsoft Corporation. (2012). Getting started: Introduction to project management. Retrieved from Microsoft website.
• Biafore, B. (2010). Microsoft Project 2010: The missing manual. O’Reilly Media.
• Coplan, S., & Masuda, D. (2011). Project management for healthcare information technology. McGraw-Hill Education.