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The Instructor

Bob Ahern learned the practice of project management as an Information Systems Consultant with Ernst & Young in Nashville, TN, where he managed software development and implementation projects during the 1980s.

He was an early adopter of PC-based project management tools, including Harvard Project Manager, in the early days of the personal computer.

While he was with ExecuTrain Corporation, Bob began teaching Project Management with Microsoft Project in a curriculum that included three separate two-day courses, ranging from beginning through advanced skill levels.

As one of the few trainers that taught the advanced levels, Bob traveled across the country to many ExecuTrain franchise locations to teach Project classes to clients. He also taught workshops to prepare other trainers to teach the Microsoft Project classes.

Bob has taught all versions of Microsoft Project starting with 4.0 and including 2007. He takes a unique approach, avoiding the "what does this button do" techniques, and focusing on how to use this tool to manage projects.

Bob Ahern's complete trainer resumé.

Project Management with Microsoft Project - Advanced

2 day course

View Detailed Outline in PDF Format
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This is an accelerated 2-day class for members of the Project Management Institute. Anyone is invited to attend, as long as you have the appropriate background and experience to move through these topics at an accelerated pace.

Designed for the advanced user or serious novice, Mastering Advanced Project Management teaches techniques for using Microsoft Office Project 2007 pertinent to managing complex projects in mature project management environments. In this course, the special emphasis is on “explaining the mysteries” that often arise with the software, and adding depth and mastery to your software skills. This course is intended for experienced users of Microsoft Project who are faced with managing complex projects and work in an organization that demands advanced project management maturity.


Overview of Course Topics:
(for a full detailed outline, visit our PDF link above)

Project Closure

  • Using Project Closure Methodologies
  • Closing a Project
  • Canceling Unnecessary Tasks
  • Marking Milestones as Complete
  • Saving a Completed Project as a Template
  • Creating a New Project from a Template
  • Using the Compare Project Versions Tool

Working with Fields

  • Reviewing the Microsoft Project Data Model
  • Understanding Fields
  • Inserting a Field in a Table
  • Using Standard Fields in Views, Tables,
          Filters, and Groups
  • Using the Calendar View
  • Creating a Custom Calendar View
  • Understanding Custom Fields
  • Defining Custom Fields
  • Using a Lookup Table in a Custom Field
  • Using a Formula in a Custom Field
  • Using Graphical Indicators in a Custom Field
  • Defining Custom Outline Codes
  • Deleting a Custom Field or Outline Code
  • Using AutoFilter to Create a Custom Filter

Advanced Calendars and Scheduling

  • Reviewing Calendar Types
  • How Calendars Control the Project Schedule
  • Understanding Task Scheduling
  • Synchronizing Calendar Options
  • Setting the Project Start Time

Advanced Scheduling

  • Comparing Duration vs. Scheduling
  • Understanding Assignment Views
  • Using the Task Usage View
  • Using the Resource Usage View
  • Viewing the Assignment Information Dialog
  • Understanding Work Contours
  • Applying Work Contours
  • Using Administrative Projects
  • Rescheduling a Project

Project Costing

  • Understanding Project Costing
  • Understanding Cost Accrual Methods
  • Using the Resource Cost Accrual Method
  • Using the Fixed Cost Accrual Method
  • Using Resource Cost Rate Tables
  • Setting the Cost Rate Table
  • Tracking Multiple Fixed Costs
  • Using Cost Resources
  • Using Expense Cost Resources
  • Understanding Earned Value Analysis
  • Setting Up Microsoft Office Project 2007 for EVA
  • Viewing Earned Value Fields
  • Changing the EVA Calculation Method

Critical Path Analysis

  • Understanding the Critical Path
  • Identifying the Critical Path
  • Using the Critical Field
  • Using Text and Cell Background Formatting
  • Filtering for the Critical Path
  • Changing the Critical Path Calculation
  • Using the Schedule Table
  • Understanding Issues with the Critical Path

Managing Project Risks

  • What is Risk Management?
  • Using a Risk Management Plan
  • Identifying Risks
  • Quantifying Risks
  • Developing a Risk Response
  • Using Risk Monitoring and Control
  • Managing Risk in Microsoft Office Project 2007
  • Using PERT Analysis
  • Using PERT Analysis Views
  • Adding Lag Time on Task Dependencies
  • Adding Documentation to the Gantt Chart
  • Increasing Work or Duration
  • Modifying the Gantt Chart

Importing and Exporting Project Data

  • Exporting Project Data
  • Exporting to an Excel Workbook
  • Exporting to an Excel PivotTable
  • Exporting to Text Files
  • Exporting to an XML File
  • Importing Project Data
  • Importing from a Project Database File
  • Importing an MPX File
  • Importing from an Access Database File
  • Importing from an ODBC Database
  • Importing from an Excel Workbook File
  • Importing from a Text File
  • Importing from an XML File
  • Saving a Project Workspace
  • Exporting a Project Image

Leveling Resource Overallocations

  • Understanding Overallocation and Leveling
  • Manually Leveling Overallocations
  • Understanding Leveling Options
  • Leveling Calculations Options
  • Leveling Range Options
  • Resolving Overallocations Options
  • Leveling Order
  • Using Additional Leveling Options
  • Restricting Resource Leveling
  • Using the Can Level Field
  • Using the Task Priority Field

Using Master Projects

  • Master Project Defined
  • Creating a Shared Resource Pool
  • Connecting to a Shared Resource Pool File
  • Using a Shared Resource Pool
  • Unlinking from a Shared Resource Pool
  • Creating a Master Project
  • Using the Inserted Project Information Dialog
  • Setting Cross Project Dependencies
  • Understanding Task Dependency Theory
  • Setting External Dependencies
  • Viewing and Editing External Dependencies
  • Setting Cross Project Linking Options
  • Program and Portfolio Analysis
  • Viewing Progress across Program Phases
  • Analyzing Work and Cost across a Program

Working with Macros

  • Understanding VBA
  • Running a Macro
  • Recording a Macro
  • Viewing Your Recorded Macro VBA Code
  • Writing a Macro
  • Adding a Macro to a Toolbar Button
  • Managing Macros and Toolbars
  • Setting Macro Security
  • Creating a Digital Certificate