Microsoft Project 2013

Lesson 1
Basics of Microsoft Project 2013

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Define Project Management

Describe Microsoft Project 2013 editions
State the features of Microsoft Project 2013
Use Project Options in Microsoft Project 2013

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Introduction
The objective of any project is to create a product, obtain a desired result, or deliver a service.

Elements of a Project

Scope

Work
Time

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Cost

Project Management
Project management refers to the application of knowledge and methods to execute projects successfully.
Project Management

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Initiating
Initiating

Planning
Planning

Closing
Closing

Executing
Executing

Microsoft Project 2013

Microsoft Project 2013 is an application that enables you to plan and manage projects effectively.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Microsoft Project 2013 Editions

Microsoft Project 2013 is available in two editions.
Microsoft Project 2013 Editions
Microsoft Project Standard
Create and modify project
plans

Plan and organize tasks

Microsoft Project Professional

Connect to Project Web App

View the tasks to resources in

Team Planner View

Generate reports
Monitor project costs

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Features of Microsoft Project 2013

Microsoft Project 2013 can be used to create plans with the level of detail that is appropriate for a project.
Flexibility

It gives the Project Manager the flexibility to edit or add information, any time during the course of the project.

Work Breakdown
Structure

Each component of a project is broken down into a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) or tasks.

Project Calendar

The Project Manager can set up a project calendar that includes the number of working days, public holidays, and other
non-working days.

Manage Resources
Control Tasks
Pre-installed Reports

It helps manage resources and their associated costs effectively by dividing resources as Material, Work, and Cost
resources.
The Project Manager can control tasks manually or schedule them automatically. Organizing project tasks includes linking
tasks that are related.
It has pre-installed reports which can be customized to generate burndown reports any time, to monitor the health of
the project.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Calendar Types
Microsoft Project 2013 offers four calendar types.

Types of Calendars
Base
Project

Task
Resource

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Base Calendar
Base calendar is the template, on which the three Project calendars are built: Standard, Night shift, and 24 Hours.

Type of base calendar

Timings

Days per week

Standard

9 am to 5 pm

5 days per week

Night shift

11 pm to 5 am

5 days per week

24 Hours

24 hours per day

7 days per week

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

Project Options
Project Options are available in the backstage view of Microsoft Project 2013 interface.

General

You can customize the User Interface, Project view, and Start-up options in this screen. You can also personalize your
project file here.

Display

You can customize the calendar type and currency options in this screen. This screen highlights the list of checkboxes to
choose preferred elements for the project.

Customize Ribbon

Microsoft Project 2013 uses ribbon for easier access, as used in other Microsoft products. You can add or remove the
commands and tabs that you prefer on your Project window.

Quick Access Toolbar

Microsoft Project 2013 provides a quick access toolbar for easy navigation, similar to the previous versions. You can add
or remove tools that you constantly use while working on the project.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

10

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

11

Knowledge Check 1

What are the parameters that need to be defined while planning a project?
Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Scope, work, time, and cost

Scope, resource, time, and cost
Scope, work, calendar, and cost
Scope, work, start/finish date, and schedule

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

12

Knowledge Check 1

What are the parameters that need to be defined while planning a project?
Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Scope, work, time, and cost

Scope, resource, time, and cost
Scope, work, calendar, and cost
Scope, work, start/finish date, and schedule

Answer: a. Scope, work, time, cost

Explanation: A Project Manager needs to define the scope, work, time, and cost while planning a project.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

13

Knowledge Check 2

Which of the following is the Team Planner used for?

Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

To modify tasks in project

To Identify potential problems in project
To share project updates online
To breakdown a project into work breakdown structure

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

14

Knowledge Check 2

Which of the following is the Team Planner used for?

Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

To modify tasks in project

To Identify potential problems in project
To share project updates online
To breakdown a project into work breakdown structure

Answer: b. To Identify potential problems in project

Explanation: Team Planner helps the Project Manager to identify potential problems, before they can impact
the project schedule.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

15

Knowledge Check 3

Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing are the phases of which of the following?
Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Project Planning
Project Management
Microsoft Project
Project Interface

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

16

Knowledge Check 3

Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing are the phases of which of the following?
Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Project Planning
Project Management
Microsoft Project
Project Interface

Answer: b. Project Management

Explanation: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing are the phases of Project
Management.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

17

Knowledge Check 4

Which of the following is a feature available only in Microsoft Project Professional edition?
Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Team Planner View

Base Calendar
Project Options
Project Interface

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

18

Knowledge Check 4

Which of the following is a feature available only in Microsoft Project Professional edition?
Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Team Planner View

Base Calendar
Project Options
Project Interface

Answer: a. Team Planner View

Explanation: Microsoft Project Professional edition includes enhanced tools, such as the Team Planner View.
This feature is not available in Microsoft Standard edition.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

19

Knowledge Check 5

Which of the following options allow you to customize the calendar type and currency options in Microsoft Project
2013?
Select the answer.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Display
Customize Ribbon
General
Quick Access Toolbar

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

20

Knowledge Check 5

Which of the following options allow you to customize the calendar type and currency options in Microsoft Project 2013?
Select the answer.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Display
Customize Ribbon
General
Quick Access Toolbar

Answer: a. Display
Explanation: You can customize the calendar type and currency options in Microsoft Project 2013, using the
Display option.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

21

Summary
Let us summarize the topics covered in this lesson:

Project management involves balancing the scope, time, and cost constraints in
order to meet the overall objectives of the project.
Microsoft Project can be used to create plans with the level of detail that is

appropriate for a project.

Microsoft Project 2013 offers four calendar types. Base calendar is the template
of all calendars.
The basic settings of a project can be managed using Project Options in
Microsoft Project 2013.

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

22

Thank you

Copyright 2012-2014, Simplilearn, All rights reserved.

23