Microsoft Project 2021 From Beginners to Advanced
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Microsoft Project 2021 From Beginners to Advanced
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What you'll learn
Navigate the Microsoft Project 2021 interface and utilize essential project management features
Develop and manage complex project schedules, including task dependencies and constraints
Optimize resource allocation using advanced resource sharing and consolidation techniques
Create customized reports, macros, and visualizations to communicate project progress effectively
Skills you'll gain
- Project Performance
- Resource Management
- Earned Value Management
- Ad Hoc Reporting
- Scheduling
- Project Schedules
- Resource Planning
- Resource Utilization
- Work Breakdown Structure
- Cost Management
- Excel Macros
- Project Controls
- Calendar Management
- Milestones (Project Management)
- Timelines
- Business Reporting
- Resource Allocation
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
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There are 28 modules in this course
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A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. This course provides a comprehensive journey into mastering Microsoft Project 2021, from beginner to advanced levels. You will learn how to efficiently manage tasks, resources, budgets, and schedules, utilizing all of Project 2021’s powerful features. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to confidently use Microsoft Project to handle complex project management tasks, optimize resource allocation, and track project progress. Throughout the course, you’ll start by learning the basics of setting up projects, managing tasks, and customizing the interface. You’ll gain an understanding of dependencies, resource allocation, and cost management. As you advance, the course dives into more complex concepts, such as project consolidation, recurring tasks, and earned value analysis. This course is ideal for professionals aiming to enhance their project management skills using Microsoft Project 2021. Whether you are new to project management tools or already familiar with them, this course will equip you with the skills necessary to manage any project efficiently and effectively.
In this module, we will lay the foundation for the course by introducing Microsoft Project 2021 and its capabilities. You'll learn about project plans, explore the costs and dependencies involved, and discover the latest features to streamline project management. By the end of this module, you will have a solid understanding of the tool’s basic concepts and its value in project management.
What's included
4 videos1 reading
4 videos•Total 11 minutes
- Course Introduction•2 minutes
- Project Plans Explained•4 minutes
- What's New in Project 2021?•4 minutes
- Exercise 01•1 minute
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Full Course Resources•10 minutes
In this module, we will explore the Project 2021 interface and its essential components. You’ll learn to use the ribbon, customize the Quick Access Toolbar, and efficiently work with keyboard shortcuts. Additionally, we’ll guide you through switching between views and tables, enabling you to present and interpret project data effectively.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 36 minutes
- The Project 2021 Interface•7 minutes
- Work with the Project Ribbon and Commands•8 minutes
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar•7 minutes
- Work Quickly with Keyboard Shortcuts and Key Tips•4 minutes
- Switch Views•4 minutes
- Switch Between Tables•3 minutes
- Exercise 02•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Get Familiar with Project - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will focus on setting up your project files in Microsoft Project 2021. You will learn to define project calendars, adjust settings, and synchronize these options with project-specific requirements. Practical exercises will reinforce your ability to establish well-structured project files.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 30 minutes
- Set Project Plan Options•7 minutes
- Create, Save, Open, and Close a Project•6 minutes
- Set Up Your Project Calendar•6 minutes
- Define Exceptions•5 minutes
- Sync Project Calendar Options with Project Calendar•3 minutes
- Exercise 03•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Set Up Project Files - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will guide you through task entry and organization in Project 2021. You'll learn to create tasks with varying scheduling needs, mark key milestones, and structure them using summaries and subtasks. By mastering task entry, you’ll be ready to efficiently build and manage project plans.
What's included
10 videos1 assignment
10 videos•Total 52 minutes
- Automatic Versus Manually Scheduled Tasks•8 minutes
- Create an Auto-Scheduled Task•4 minutes
- Create a Manually Scheduled Task•3 minutes
- Create a Milestone Task•4 minutes
- Create Summary and Subtasks•7 minutes
- Import Task Information from Word•7 minutes
- Reorganize the Structure•3 minutes
- Delete Tasks•4 minutes
- Use Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Codes•5 minutes
- Exercise 04•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Entering Tasks - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will dive into linking tasks and managing their dependencies. You’ll explore different types of task relationships, understand how to apply constraints, and learn to visualize these in the Gantt Chart view. Practical exercises will help solidify these concepts.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 27 minutes
- Link Tasks and Add Dependencies•8 minutes
- Add Lag or Lead Time•5 minutes
- Deadlines and Constraints•7 minutes
- View Task and Deadlines•5 minutes
- Exercise 05•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Dependencies and Constraints - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will focus on resource management in Microsoft Project 2021. You will learn how to create various resource types, set costs, and assign resources to tasks. Special emphasis will be placed on using the Team Planner and addressing resource overallocation to ensure project efficiency.
What's included
11 videos1 assignment
11 videos•Total 60 minutes
- What are Resources?•4 minutes
- Create a Work Resource•8 minutes
- Create a Material Resource•3 minutes
- Set Costs for Resources•9 minutes
- Create a Cost Resource•4 minutes
- Manage Resources•6 minutes
- Assign Resources to Tasks•5 minutes
- Use Team Planner to Assign Resources•5 minutes
- Resource Overallocations•6 minutes
- Effort Driven Scheduling•6 minutes
- Exercise 06•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Resources - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will teach you how to work with views and tables in Project 2021. You’ll explore customizing table columns, creating timelines, and organizing project data for better visualization and analysis. Practical exercises will enhance your ability to create tailored project displays.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 28 minutes
- Customize Table Columns: Part 1•5 minutes
- Customize Table Columns: Part 2•5 minutes
- Work with Timeline View•5 minutes
- Add Another Timeline•3 minutes
- Sort, Group, and Filter Tasks and Resources•7 minutes
- Exercise 07•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Work with Project Views and Tables - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will discuss baselines and the critical path concept in project management. You’ll learn how to set baselines, identify critical path tasks, and analyze their impact on project schedules. Practical exercises will help you apply these concepts to real-world scenarios.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 13 minutes
- The Critical Path•5 minutes
- Set and Clear a Baseline•6 minutes
- Exercise 08•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Baselines and Critical Path - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will focus on managing and adjusting project schedules. You’ll explore features like the Task Inspector, learn to delay tasks, and make tasks inactive as needed. Adding notes to tasks and resources will also be covered to enhance project documentation.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 18 minutes
- Use Task Inspector to Identify Issues•3 minutes
- Delay a Task•4 minutes
- Inactive Tasks•4 minutes
- Add Notes to Tasks or Resources•4 minutes
- Exercise 09•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Manage the Project Schedule - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will cover tracking and managing project progress in Microsoft Project 2021. You’ll learn to update task statuses, reschedule incomplete work, and analyze performance using various tracking views and metrics. Hands-on exercises will strengthen your understanding of these techniques.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 12 minutes
- Tracking and Managing Progress: Part 1•5 minutes
- Tracking and Managing Progress: Part 2•4 minutes
- Exercise 10•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Track Project Progress - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce you to basic reporting features in Microsoft Project 2021. You’ll learn how to create and customize reports, highlight schedule and cost issues, and prepare these reports for printing or sharing with stakeholders.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 20 minutes
- Find Schedule and Cost Issues•5 minutes
- Work with Reports•5 minutes
- Print Views, Notes, and Reports•6 minutes
- Exercise 11•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Basic Reporting - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will discuss saving and securing project files. You’ll learn to create reusable templates, export projects to formats like Excel or PDF, and apply security measures, such as passwords and user restrictions, to safeguard your project data.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 18 minutes
- Save Project as a Template•5 minutes
- Export Projects to Other Formats•6 minutes
- Project Security•4 minutes
- Exercise 12•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Saving Projects and Security - Assessment•15 minutes
In this final beginner-level module, we will recap the core concepts and skills learned throughout the course. This summary will reinforce your understanding and provide guidance on how to continue improving your proficiency in Microsoft Project 2021.
What's included
1 video1 assignment
1 video•Total 4 minutes
- Beginner's Level Summary•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Microsoft Project 2021 for Beginners - Summary - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce the advanced course for Microsoft Project 2021. You’ll receive an overview of the advanced topics, ensure your system is properly set up, and download the required resources for a seamless learning experience.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 6 minutes
- Course Introduction•2 minutes
- Set Up for Success•3 minutes
- Exercise 01•1 minute
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Microsoft Project 2021 Advanced - Course Introduction - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will focus on advanced resource sharing and project consolidation techniques. You’ll learn to create unified project views and optimize shared resources using resource pools. Exercises will help you master practical applications of these skills.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 46 minutes
- Introduction to Consolidation and Resource Sharing•6 minutes
- Advanced Resource Sharing and Resource Pools•9 minutes
- Project Consolidation•9 minutes
- Exercise 02•2 minutes
- Practical Sharing and Consolidation - Part 1•11 minutes
- Practical Sharing and Consolidation - Part 2•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Consolidation and Resource Sharing - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will cover recurring tasks and their management. You’ll learn to set up tasks that repeat on a fixed schedule, ensuring efficiency in handling repetitive elements within your projects.
What's included
1 video1 assignment
1 video•Total 10 minutes
- Set Up Recurring Tasks•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Recurring Tasks - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explore custom fields in Microsoft Project 2021. You’ll learn to create and configure fields, including calculated ones, to adapt the software to unique project requirements and improve data analysis.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 32 minutes
- Creating a Custom Field•11 minutes
- Calculated Custom Field - Part 1•12 minutes
- Calculated Custom Field - Part 2•6 minutes
- Exercise 03•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Custom Fields - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will delve into outline and WBS codes, focusing on their role in organizing project tasks. Practical exercises will demonstrate how to structure and manage projects effectively using these codes.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 28 minutes
- Outline Numbering and WBS Codes•11 minutes
- Problems with Outline Numbering and WBS Codes•6 minutes
- Outline Codes•9 minutes
- Exercise 04•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Outline Codes and WBS Codes - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will examine cost management in project planning. You’ll learn to handle fixed and variable costs, set budgets, and adapt to changing cost conditions to ensure financial control over your projects.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 42 minutes
- Fixed Task Costs•6 minutes
- Cost Accrual•6 minutes
- Budget Costs•8 minutes
- Cost Rates and Rate Changes•8 minutes
- Overtime•6 minutes
- Variable Material Costs•5 minutes
- Exercise 05•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Costs - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will teach you how to customize tables in Microsoft Project 2021. You’ll learn to create tailored layouts and content, enabling you to view and analyze project data efficiently.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment
2 videos•Total 15 minutes
- Customize Tables•10 minutes
- Manage Custom Table Definitions•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Custom Tables - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explore custom views in Project 2021. You’ll learn to design, manage, and apply views that focus on specific project data, providing deeper insights into project performance.
What's included
1 video1 assignment
1 video•Total 6 minutes
- Use of Custom Views•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Custom Views - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will focus on sorting, filtering, and grouping data in Project 2021. These skills will enable you to organize project elements for improved tracking and management.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 22 minutes
- Sort and Filter Tasks and Resources•11 minutes
- Group Tasks and Resources•9 minutes
- Exercise 06•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Sorting, Filtering, and Grouping - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will teach you to generate and customize reports in Microsoft Project 2021. You’ll learn advanced techniques for building targeted reports and comparing project versions for effective project analysis.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 49 minutes
- Reporting Overview•9 minutes
- Create and Customize Reports - Part 1•11 minutes
- Create and Customize Reports - Part 2•7 minutes
- Create and Customize Reports - Part 3•8 minutes
- Targeted Reporting•7 minutes
- Compare Projects•6 minutes
- Exercise 07•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Reports - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will focus on visual reporting using Excel. You’ll learn to transform project data into charts and graphs, enabling you to present information visually for better decision-making.
What's included
1 video1 assignment
1 video•Total 6 minutes
- Visual Reporting Using Excel•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Visual Reports - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce earned value analysis as a method to assess project performance. You’ll explore key metrics and see practical examples of this technique in action.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 22 minutes
- Earned Value Analysis Basic Terminology•10 minutes
- Example of Earned Value Analysis•8 minutes
- Exercise 08•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Earned Value Analysis - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will cover importing and exporting data in Project 2021. You’ll learn to integrate external information and prepare project data for sharing with team members or stakeholders.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 18 minutes
- Import Data to Project•9 minutes
- Export Data from Project•7 minutes
- Exercise 09•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Import and Export - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will delve into macros for automating tasks in Microsoft Project 2021. You’ll learn to record, write, and customize macros to simplify complex workflows and improve efficiency.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 22 minutes
- Record a Macro•9 minutes
- Write a Macro•10 minutes
- Exercise 10•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Macros - Assessment•15 minutes
In this concluding module, we will reflect on the entire course, summarizing key takeaways and their applications. You’ll leave with a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Project 2021 and a roadmap for future skill enhancement.
What's included
1 video2 assignments
1 video•Total 2 minutes
- Course Close•2 minutes
2 assignments•Total 75 minutes
- Full Course Assessment•60 minutes
- Full Course Practice Assessment•15 minutes
Instructor
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Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025
Exceptionally well instructions and format and very well taught by Deborah Ashby
Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025
Perfect course for those beginners who want to learn new skill for career advancement.
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Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.
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