Microsoft Project Training from Parallel Project

Microsoft Project is one of the most popular and common tools used for project scheduling. Its popularity lies in the fact that this tool helps to improve management of not only project schedules but also the costs and resources. In addition, this tool also helps in streamlining project report production. Using Microsoft Project planners and project managers are able to quickly produce and maintain the highest quality of project schedules and cost plans.

Many project managers start life by drawing plans in Excel or PowerPoint. However, they soon realise that these office tools are not up to the job of tracking and monitoring projects effectively.  This is because they lack the basics of precedence planning and critical path analysis. This is where Microsoft Project comes in. It helps in the progress of the project, taking the planning ahead to different stages as and when one is over.

What is the Need for Training Project Managers in Microsoft Project?

All said and done, a project manager needs to be properly trained in Microsoft Project. This tool is flexible and powerful and has numerous features and options, enabling it to support a vast range and number of projects, be it small and simple or large and complicated. While using Microsoft Project may seem daunting to a beginner, it is actually a comprehensive management package that can be very helpful to the Project Manager after its use is mastered.

An untrained Project Manager using Microsoft Project can waste time in project mobilisation, even worst this can lead to an unworkable project plan, and un realistic commitments to sponsors and senior managers. However, after training, this time can be better utilised and can result in a good quality of project schedule.

What does Microsoft Project Training Course Cover?

The Microsoft project training course is a 4-day course covering various aspects that equip the Project manager with the essential skills needed for planning project schedules, making the most of this software, and using it to deliver a high quality project schedule. Here is what the course covers –

Introduction/Intermediate (2-Day Course) – The introductory/Intermediate course is a 2-day course that equips the Project Manager with basic project schedule planning and managing skills. This basic course includes the following –

 Developing details of project tasks
 Identification of critical path
 Planning of Project costs and resources
 Network Analysis
 Track progress of a project using baseline
 Reporting

The training for this basic course is given by professional and experienced Microsoft Project Trainers who have hands-on experience. This experience is shared with the students, giving them hands-on training, so that when they complete the basic training, they have experience in basic planning of project schedule. The trainers also give essential tips and tricks to overcome any problem that they may face at the time of using Microsoft Project.

Advanced Course (2-Day Course) – While the basic course equips the student with basic planning skills, the advanced course teaches them to make the best use of Microsoft Project to plan and manage projects. The course builds on their existing skills and teaches them to use this software for making a powerful project schedule. The second day of this advanced course has a workshop session allowing students to work on their personal projects.

Like the Introductory/Intermediate course, the advanced course is also taught by highly skilled and experienced trainers, giving them practical and hands-on experience. For dates of the open training program, please visit Parallel website. The advanced course is, however, conducted only on request of corporate clients.

The partnership with Acuity and Parallel has come up with enterprise courses, such as –

 3-day course on Planning Projects Using Project Server 2013
 2-Day Course on Administering Project Server 2013
 2-Day course on managing Projects Using Project Server 2013

Paul Naybour of Parallel Project Training said, “At Parallel we train many project managers who are at the early stages in their career, many ask for Microsoft Project Training. We are pleased that we can now offer these courses to our clients”.

What is Parallel Project Training? – This is a special training that trains companies to improve project management. The clients of these companies can range from the large Network Rail and The National Trust to small charities and organizations. The purpose of the Parallel is to establish effective process and behaviour for delivering successful projects. Parallel is accredited by Project Management Institute and the Association for Project Management.

What is Acuity Training? – Acuity Training offers special hands-on IT training to businesses. They offer training of Microsoft products and Adobe Creative Cloud among others. They promise to deliver the best practical training so that people can go about they everyday jobs easily. Acuity clients include Lockheed Martin, BP and GE.