Last updated: Febuary 27, 2024

Adopt PM/Software Standards Workflow

Activity 4 - Adopt PM/Software Standards Workflow, a critical part of the planning phase in a project life cycle, is entirely focused on a skilled project manager setting up an expert project in Microsoft Project.

The workflow for Adopting PM/Software Standards encompasses four major areas:

Determining Knowledge, Skills, Tools, and Techniques. This is the foundational step in setting up a project in Microsoft Projects. It involves establishing two sets of standards. The first standard pertains to the knowledge and skills required for the project manager. This involves identifying the expertise and competencies essential for managing the project effectively. The second standard involves clearly understanding the tools and techniques in planning and executing the project. This clarity is crucial for aligning resources and methodologies with the project's objectives.

Selecting the Scheduling Engine Rules. This step in the workflow is one of the most significant decisions in using Microsoft Project. The scheduling engine in Microsoft Project is a complex system that influences how various project elements are calculated and managed. Critical aspects of the scheduling engine include:

Defining Calendars Involves setting up Project, Task, and Resource Calendars.

Project Information Determining the scheduling direction (from Start Date or Finish Date), along with setting the Status Date and Current Date.

Project Options Include options on the Scheduling and Advance Pages, focusing on calendar options, task constraints, calculation options, and more.

Scheduling Logic Involves establishing links across the project.

Task Field Selections: This includes settings for Effort Driven tasks, Task Type, Task Mode, Timing Constraints, Constraints Date, etc.

Leveling Options Deciding if and how the schedule has been leveled, including leveling calculations in Resource Leveling.

Defining and Managing Project Elements. This involves configuring various elements in Microsoft Projects, such as views, tables, filters, groups, calendars, and maps that form the structural components of a project. The Organizer tool plays a crucial role here, as it manages these custom elements that can be shared across projects.   

Defining Look & Feel and General Behavior. The final aspect of the workflow is about customizing both Microsoft Project and the presentation of project data. It's about determining how the views used for reporting and tracking will look and feel. This step is crucial for ensuring the project data is presented clearly, comprehensibly, and visually appealing, aiding in better understanding and decision-making.

In addition, customizing the Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar enhances your experience with Microsoft Project.

Overall, this Activity will guide the student through the intricate process of setting up performance requirements in Microsoft Project, highlighting the importance of each step in the workflow to ensure successful project planning and execution.