We all know success in business can depend on completing projects on time and on budget. But how can you power up your projects using just one IT resource?

As a seriously powerful piece of software, Microsoft Project can be a little daunting for the first time user. But don’t let that put you off. A short Microsoft Project course  will give you the knowledge you need to manage all kinds of projects much more effectively.

It can be tempting to get launched into a new project without taking a good look at all the individual jobs it involves. It can also be far too easy to set down unrealistic timescales. So, before you begin – pause, take a deep breath and start planning.

Let’s go back to basics and talk about defining your tasks. Every project, from developing a new publication to moving offices, breaks down into individual tasks assigned to individual people. Do this clearly and you’ll ensure Microsoft Project works well for the lifetime of your project. Avoid the issue and you’ll find it difficult to stay in control.

Your new best friend – Work Breakdown Structure

If you’re new to project management, the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) might look like just a handy project outline. But it’s actually a great deal more than that.

Wikipedia defines the WBS as “a tree-like structure that permits summing of subordinate costs for tasks, materials, etc., into their successively higher level “parent” tasks, materials, etc. For each element of the work breakdown structure, a description of the task to be performed is generated.”

WBS actually helps you to break down your project into manageable chunks. So you can think in hours – not weeks.

A common mistake for new project planners is set tasks that are much too broad, like “Write content – 3 months”. A vague and oversized goal like that is not likely to get done on time. Plus, with no thought given to the individual steps behind the task, it’s very likely that several steps will be forgotten. This is where WBS makes all the difference.

Large, generalised tasks are difficult to track. When the write content task runs late, the manager will likely have no idea what the problem is, what can be done to speed things up, or when the real finish date is going to be.

The alternative? With WBS you can break down each task into small steps measured in hours – no more than 16 hours or two business days each. This will get you thinking about what’s really involved in that particular project. Then you’ll create a much more realistic estimate of how long the project will really take.

For project managers, WBS is a vital tool for making sure that the project plan contains all the tasks that need to be done and ONLY the tasks that need to be done. Think of your WBS as your map and chapter-by-chapter guidebook to getting your project done on target and on budget!

The skills to stay ahead

You’ll see by now that MS Project is an invaluable resource for business and one worth getting to know and understand over time.

A great start to learning how it can help you is by taking a short course. With the right techniques and knowledge, you’ll power up all your projects!

You can find out more about  Microsoft Project courses here.