Category: Microsoft Project

The core content of the TPC blog, Microsoft Project related articles. I started this blog way back in 2014 with a series of articles to spot incorrect use of Microsoft Project. It took storm and I continued to write about the tool that Microsoft created for Project tracking and scheduling. The posts that you will find in this category are all linked to usage of the desktop application. Examples are the Backwards scheduling vs deadlines post and Never delete a task.

But there is much more content, please explore and I hope you find the content that you are looking for. If not, you can always reach out by adding a comment on a post.

Building a view in Microsoft Project, the correct way

As a consultant I travel between lots of companies that use Microsoft Project. Most of the time they use the product as a standalone scheduling tool when I first visit them. The common case is that they have taught themselves how to use the product and most of the time things go relatively smoothly.

This is not the case with views. Views in Microsoft Project are almost always created poorly. This post will be about creating views and about maintaining them properly. Continue reading Building a view in Microsoft Project, the correct way

Excited for Anaheim Project Conference 2014

Hi readers,

I am excited! JSR has decided to send my CEO, Maurice Ausum (writer of the Office Corner) and me to go to Anaheim and visit the Project Conference 2014.

This is the event on Microsoft Project in the world. All the big names will be there including Gary and Eric.
Continue reading Excited for Anaheim Project Conference 2014

Book review: Forecast Scheduling with Microsoft Project 2010

Hi there, this is my 5th book review and a book that has a special story. I bought the book at the Microsoft Project Conference of 2012. I even got the book signed by the author, Eric Uyttewaal, himself. It was a nice meeting and we will probably shake hands again when I visit the USA to attend the Project Conference 2014 in Anaheim (have a look at all the cool content of the conference here).

The book is big, bigger than the 2003 version of dynamic scheduling (also written by Eric), a nice 775 pages of project management best practices using Microsoft Project 2010. The book is written for the 2010 version of the product but most of the exercises and theory holds true for 2007 and 2013 as well. Continue reading Book review: Forecast Scheduling with Microsoft Project 2010

Book review: Dynamic Scheduling with MS Project 2010

The Dynamic Scheduling books (2003, 2007 and 2013 also available) are a great way to get to know Microsoft Project and learn some of the key features that help you build a schedule that last the whole project life cycle. As far as I know there isn’t a 2013 version yet.

In my work as a consultant I have seen a lot of people use date related planning, the Dynamic Scheduling method helps define a better way to building a project plan. The book is nicely arranged and has some good best practices from building Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) to Earned Value (EV) calculations.

The book comes with a nice set of Web Added Value (WAV) downloads and will be a great way to learn for Microsoft certification Exam 70-178: Microsoft Project 2010, Managing Projects. Grab your own copy of the book by going to this link.

I would give this book a score of 4 out of 5 stars.

Book reviews on Project management and MS Project (server)

Hi readers,

As a consultant I try to read and know as much as possible about the subjects I’m considered to be an expert in. Apart from blogs and Microsoft TechNet there is a whole universe of project (management) literature out there to suite just that need. This is why I started doing book reviews!

Continue reading Book reviews on Project management and MS Project (server)

Book review: Project 2013 for dummies

Everyone knows the Dummies book series. And I do believe their goal (and slogan) is to “making everything easier”. Which is a great goal!

This book is a nice start to get to know Microsoft Project 2013 if you don’t like the more official/Microsoft step-by-step or inside out books. The book is composed of 5 parts that cover: getting started, resources, using baselines, tracking progress and finally a top 10 golden rules chapter.

I like the writing style because it’s really down to earth. However, sometimes I think it’s a bit too much and I want a more serious approach. But that is purely a taste thing I guess. Continue reading Book review: Project 2013 for dummies

Building a visual custom field for late progress in MS Project professional

I got a respons on one of my earlier posts.

I have a task with a start date in the past, completion is 0% and the “i” column doesn’t show that calendars.

The “i” column or indicator column doesn’t show the information described in the comment. Here is the complete list of the indicators it does show. Any new indicators you need to build yourself using custom fields and graphical indicators. I’ll build the custom field and indicator using the new MS Project professional 2013 but it will work on just about any other version. Continue reading Building a visual custom field for late progress in MS Project professional