Communicating from Microsoft Project

The e-mail and web communication features of Microsoft Project are collectively known as Project’s workgroup features. With Project 2002, you have three ways to communicate electronically with team members.

• You can use the e-mail message handler to send e-mail with task assignments.

•  Server  You can use Microsoft Project Server, Microsoft’s client/server system for project communication.

• You can use Project Server’s Web Access feature to communicate over your company’s intranet.

You are not restricted to just one communication method. Depending on the needs of the resources in your project, you can use any of these methods alone. You can also combine them and communicate with some people via your company’s internal website, with others over your company’s network, and with still others through conventional e-mail. The method you choose depends on the needs of your particular project, and on which version of Microsoft Project you’re using. (The network- and web-based methods are only available if Microsoft Project Server has been installed on your company’s network server.)

Because most Project users are still using Project Standard (without Project Server), this chapter focuses on using e-mail as your primary communication method. If you’re using or plan to use Microsoft Project Server, you will also be interested in Chapters 21 and 22, which discuss Project Professional’s network and web communications features.