MODULE 4: SETTING DEFAULTS FOR YOUR PROJECT

   

Overview

This module introduces how to set defaults for your current project and also for all future projects.

Objectives

The participant will:

  • Learn how to set defaults for frequently used fields (e.g. date, schedule, view).

  • Know where the default settings are located.

Preparation

Review the contents of this module and do each of the exercises at least once to familiarize yourself with the logic and outcome.

Presentation

The activities in this module cite the aims of each exercise and whether the level is suitable for basic or advanced users.

ACTIVITY

4.1 How to set defaults for displaying the date when you open a new MS Project file.

EXERCISE 4.1 ¢ LEVEL: BASIC ¢ SET DATE DEFAULTS

  • Pick Tools menu. Choose the Options command.

  • Select the View tab.

  • Choose appropriate Date format.

  • Click on the OK button.

Dialog

Explain that defaults can be used to tailor information to suit the user. The customizable settings are accessed from the Options command on the Tools menu. For additional ways to customize information, look at the User Manual.

ACTIVITY

4.2 How to set defaults for tasks (e.g. requiring a specific amount of resources to complete, a fixed amount of time or a set amount of work).

EXERCISE 4.2 ¢ LEVEL: ADVANCED ¢ SET SCHEDULE DEFAULTS

  • Pick Tools menu. Choose the Options command.

  • Select the Schedule tab.

  • Default task type = fixed units.

Dialog

Explain the formula that MS Project uses to calculate duration.

Duration formula

Tasks can be either fixed units, fixed work or fixed duration. To understand this we need to analyze the formula MS Project 2000 uses to calculate duration. In its simplest form, the formula is

work · units = duration.

We can fix one of these by default, amend another and the third variable will be the calculated result.

ACTIVITY

4.3 How to use the context sensitive help button to find out the definition of setting defaults for tasks.

EXERCISE 4.3 ¢ LEVEL: ADVANCED ¢ ACCESSING HELP INFORMATION

  • Click the context sensitive help button (? at the top right corner of the dialog box) and read the description of this field.

  • The cursor will change to a ?.

  • Point at the Date Format and Click.

  • When you have read the display, click to remove it.

Dialog

Explain that there is a separate module to examine the Help function.

   


How To Run Successful Projects III. The Silver Bullet
How to Run Successful Projects III: The Silver Bullet (3rd Edition)
ISBN: 0201748061
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2001
Pages: 176

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