Advanced Resource and Cost Management | with Microsoft Project

Overview

This course teaches students how to use Microsoft Project to manage resources and costs both on individual projects and across multiple, independent projects that draw from a shared resource pool. Multiple techniques for resolving resource overloads are presented including resource leveling. In addition, students are shown how to account for cash in-flows (revenues, investments, and/or cost savings) and Microsoft Project is used to perform breakeven analyses.

Audience

This course targets those who already have a solid understanding of basic project planning and control techniques and are interested in learning how to successfully plan and manage project resources and costs using Microsoft Project. In addition, the course applies to those who are responsible for performing staffing analysis in organizations that share resources across multiple, independent projects.

Course Duration

The course consists of eight hours of instruction taught in a one-day program, including lecture and hands-on exercises, using Microsoft Project. The course includes exercises on the following topics:

• Developing a Resource Coding Structure and Setting-Up the Resource Table
• Assigning Resources to Project Activities and Resolving Resource Overloads
• Identifying Project Cost Types and Assigning Costs to Project Activities
• Reviewing Project Cost Reports and Performing Cash Flow and Breakeven Analysis
• Creating a Multi-Project Resource Pool and Resolving Overloads on Shared-Resources

Course Content

Each student is given a six-chapter notebook to be used to follow the lecture material and perform individual exercises. In addition, each student is given a CD with advanced add-in utilities for Microsoft Project that enhance the functionality of the software and enable users to overcome limitations in the “out-of-the-box” version. (The utilities are compatible with Microsoft Project 2002/2003/2007 as well as Primavera P3 and P6.)

Prerequisites

Participants must have successfully completed the following PMAlliance courses: Project Management; Duration-Driven® Planning and Control; and Project Management-Advanced Microsoft Project (or equivalent). A basic understanding of personal computers and Microsoft Windows is also expected.

Course Outline