Microsoft Project Advanced: Complex Projects

You’ll learn how to keep even the most demanding projects on track - managing costs, handling shifting priorities, and reporting progress with clarity. Whether you need to track multiple workstreams, fine-tune resources, or produce powerful reports, this hands-on course will show you how to take control and lead with precision.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Track progress and update project plans accurately

• Manage resources, including levelling, costs, and overtime

• Set baselines, monitor changes, and enter actuals

• Customise reports and visuals to share insights

• Integrate your project data with Excel and other Office tools

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for:

• Existing Microsoft Project users ready to move beyond the basics

• Project professionals managing multiple tasks, teams, or changing priorities

• Those looking to improve project tracking, reporting, and cost control

Prerequisites: You should be confident using Microsoft Project to build and manage basic project plans. This course is not suitable for complete beginners.

Course Outline

Review & Environment Setup

• Recap: Microsoft Project roles and views

• Navigating and customising the interface

• Refresh of essential features

• Showcase of exciting project setups

Updating and Managing the Plan

• Entering task progress and splitting/rescheduling tasks

• Filtering tasks and setting interim plans

• Adding and managing fixed costs

Advanced Resource Management

• Applying overtime rates

• Using the Resource Graph and Management Toolbar

• Levelling resources and managing availability

Cost Management & Budgeting

• Updating cost rate tables and grouping costs

• Tracking actuals and completion percentages

• Using status dates and monitoring cost performance

Advanced Tracking & Baselines

• Setting and managing baselines

• Tracking changes and comparing versions

• Understanding percent complete vs actuals

Reporting & Visual Data

• Creating and customising visual reports

• Building report templates for reuse

• Sharing reports with key stakeholders

Integrating with Other Tools

• Exporting project data into Excel

• Importing information and linking documents

• Taking snapshots of plans for presentations

Printing & Final Outputs

• Printing views and reports professionally

• Tips for sharing project updates clearly

Reflections & Planning

• Recap the advanced tools for resource, cost, and progress management in Microsoft Project

• Consider how reporting and integration features can improve communication with stakeholders

• Plan next steps for applying advanced tracking methods to enhance project delivery