Course Description
Advanced MS Project Training Course /Master Project Planning, Scheduling & Execution with Industry-Leading Project Management Software is designed for professionals seeking mastery in project planning, resource allocation, schedule management, and cost control, this hands-on course equips you with the tools and techniques used in real-world project environments. Learn to manage complex projects with confidence using industry-standard project scheduling tools and best practices aligned with frameworks. Whether you’re in construction, engineering, IT, or operations, this training ensures you can plan, track, and deliver successful projects on time and within budget.
Course Objectives
Participants will learn to:
- Use Microsoft Project for advanced project scheduling and milestone tracking.
- Build Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and manage task dependencies and constraints.
- Apply resource management tools to optimize team productivity and prevent over-allocation.
- Perform cost estimation, budget forecasting, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
- Monitor and control project performance using baselines and variance analysis.
- Generate professional reports and project dashboards for executive presentation.
- Integrate MS Project with Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and other tools.
- Simulate real-world project challenges in interactive case studies.
Target Audience
- Project Managers & Program Coordinators
- Engineers, Construction Managers, & Civil Supervisors
- PMO Analysts and Project Schedulers
- IT Project Leaders & Business Analysts
- Contract Managers & Procurement Professionals
- Professionals preparing for PMP®, CAPM®, or PRINCE2® certification
Course Modules
Module 1: Introduction to MS Project & the Project Lifecycle
- Overview of Microsoft Project interface and features
- Setting up a new project file
- Defining project information: start date, calendar, and schedule type
- Understanding phases of the project management lifecycle
- Aligning project goals with organizational objectives
Module 2: Advanced Task Management & Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Creating tasks, milestones, and summary tasks
- Setting up task dependencies (Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, etc.)
- Applying task constraints and deadlines
- Calculating and analyzing the Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Managing task durations, lags, and leads
- Building and customizing Gantt Charts
Module 3: Resource Allocation, Leveling & Optimization
- Creating resource pools (work, material, cost resources)
- Assigning resources to tasks
- Identifying and resolving resource overallocations
- Using resource leveling tools for workload balancing
- Adjusting resource availability and calendars
Module 4: Project Costing, Budgeting & Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
- Setting up project and task-level cost estimates
- Tracking actual costs vs. baseline costs
- Performing Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
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- Planned Value (PV)
- Earned Value (EV)
- Actual Cost (AC)
- Cost Performance Index (CPI), Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
- Forecasting project completion (EAC, ETC)
Module 5: Managing Master Projects & Subprojects
- Understanding master project and subproject structure
- Linking multiple projects for program management
- Consolidating project files for enterprise-level reporting
- Managing inter-project dependencies
- Best practices for multi-project environments
Module 6: Tracking Progress – Baselines, Milestones & Variance Analysis
- Setting and managing project baselines
- Tracking task and project milestones
- Measuring progress with % Complete, Actual Work, and Remaining Work
- Analyzing schedule and cost variances
- Updating and rebase lining projects
Module 7: Building Custom Reports & Interactive Dashboards
- Creating built-in and custom reports in MS Project
- Designing project dashboards with key metrics
- Using visual indicators, tables, and charts for stakeholder reporting
- Exporting reports to Excel, PDF, and PowerPoint
- Highlighting task status, resource utilization, and cost data
Module 8: MS Project Integration with Office 365, Excel & SharePoint
- Linking Microsoft Project with Excel for advanced data analysis
- Sharing project files through SharePoint and OneDrive
- Embedding project timelines in PowerPoint presentations
- Collaborating with teams via Outlook and Microsoft Teams
- Importing and exporting data between MS Project and other Office tools
Module 9: Real-World Case Studies – From Planning to Execution
- Applying MS Project tools to industry-specific scenarios
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- Construction projects
- IT/software development projects
- NGO and donor-funded projects
- Group simulations and role-based assignments
- Identifying challenges and implementing corrective actions
- Presenting case findings and lessons learned
Module 10: Presenting a Comprehensive Project Plan
- Defining project scope, WBS, and schedule
- Allocating resources and estimating budgets
- Setting baselines and preparing tracking tools
- Generating full report and stakeholder presentation
- Final project assessment and instructor feedback
Key Beneficiaries
- Construction and Engineering Firms
- IT & Software Development Teams using Waterfall or Hybrid models
- Development Organizations & NGOs managing donor-funded projects
- Government Ministries and Public Sector Agencies
- Academia and Research Institutions managing multi-partner projects
- Private sector project teams needing scalable scheduling solutions
General Information
✅ Instructor-Led Sessions: Delivered by certified experts with vast project management experience
✅ Practical Learning: Use of real-world scenarios, hands-on simulations & professional case studies
✅ Certificate of Completion: Receive a globally recognized Project Management Certificate
✅ Flexible Learning: Choose between Full-time (5 days) or Part-time (2 weeks) options
✅ Training Format: Offered both Onsite (Stepsure Training Centers or client venue) and Live Online for global access
✅ Post-Training Mentorship: Continued support and professional guidance from instructors
Email: info@stepsureresearchinstitute.org
Phone/WhatsApp: +254 723 482 495 | +254 757 155 287
🌐 Website: www.stepsureresearchinstitute.org
