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Essential Study Guide for Microsoft Project 2010 Exam 77-178

Letting our Blog readers kow in advance about the presale release of Ultimate Study Guide: Foundations Microsoft Project 2010.

Ultimate Study Guide FoundationsYou are in for a real treat with the 2010 version of Microsoft Project. Dale and I wrote this book with our audience in mind; both novice and experienced users who want to solidify their skills or study for Microsoft's 77-178 certification exam for Microsoft Project 2010. This is the same book we use for our training courses.

Be the first on your block to own one!

Add the Default Macros to Microsoft Project 2010

In the 2000 through 2007 versions of Microsoft Project, the software included a group of default macros. These default macros, written in the VBA programming language, included the following:

  • Format_Duration
  • ResMgmt_TaskEntry
  • Rollup_Formatting
  • Toggle_Read_Only
  • Update_File

Probably the most popular macro of the preceding group of five was the Format_Duration macro. This macro allowed you to change the formatting of values in the Duration column from the default "Days" format to another format, such as "Hours" or "Weeks", for example.

Microsoft Project 2010 no longer ships with any default macros. However, if you installed Microsoft Project 2010 in parallel with a previous version of Microsoft Project (such as the 2007 version), you can transfer the default macros from your previous version of Microsoft Project to the 2010 version.

Warning: Before you begin the macro transfer process, keep in mind that you must transfer all five of these macros and their two supporting forms in order for these macros to work in Microsoft Project 2010.

To begin the macro transfer process, you must first export three macro modules and two macro forms to files using the following steps:

1. Launch the previous version of Microsoft Project.

2. Click Tools Ø Organizer and then click the Modules tab in the Organizer dialog. Figure 1 shows the Organizer dialog in Microsoft Project 2007, for example.

Figure 1: Organizer dialog in Microsoft Project 2007

3. Select all of the modules from the left side of the dialog (in the Global.mpt file) and click the Copy button to copy them to the right side of the dialog (into a blank file).

4. Click the Close button.

5. Save the active project (which now contains the default set of macros) using a name like Microsoft Project 2007 Macros.mpp.

6. Close the project and then exit the previous version of Microsoft Project.

7. Launch Microsoft Project 2010.

8. Open the file created in step #5 above.

9. Click the File tab and then click the Organizer button on the Info page of the Backstage.

10. Click the Modules tab in the Organizer dialog. Figure 2 shows the Organizer dialog in Microsoft Project 2010. Notice the set of five modules in the right side of the dialog (in the active project).

Figure 2: Organizer dialog in Microsoft Project 2010

11. Select all of the modules from the right side of the dialog (in the active project) and click the Copy button to copy them to the left side (into the Global.mpt file).

12. Click the Close button.

13. Click the File tab again and then close the project containing the modules.

At this point in the process, you have now successfully added the five default macros and two supporting forms into Microsoft Project 2010 from an earlier version of the software. You can now open any file and run the macros by completing the following steps:

1. Click the View tab to display the View ribbon.

2. In the Macros section of the View ribbon, click the Macros pick list button and select the View Macros item on the menu. The system displays the Macros dialog as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Macros dialog in
Microsoft Project 2010

3. Select one of the five macros in the list and click the Run button.

See the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in the Resource Usage View

The Resource Usage view is one of two special assignment views in Microsoft Project, the other of which is the Task Usage view. On the left side of the Resource Usage view, the system displays each resource in the project, along with the task assignments for each resource. The system indents and italicizes the task assignments below each resource's name. On the right side of the Resource Usage view, the system displays the timephased grid, which displays Work per time period by default. The following figure shows the default Resource Usage view for a project in Microsoft Project 2010.

Resource Usage view

One of the chief limitations of the Resource Usage view is that you cannot see the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) of summary tasks for each task assignment in the left side of the view. For many project managers, this limits the usefulness of the Resource Usage view. In most versions of Microsoft Project (including the 2003, 2007, and 2010 versions), however, there is a very simple way to see the WBS of summary tasks in the Resource Usage view. To do this, simply apply the Assignments Keeping Outline Structure group. This group is one of the default groups included in all three versions of the software.

To apply the Assignments Keeping Outline Structure group in Microsoft Project 2003 or 2007, complete the following steps:

  1. Open any project in which the task list includes summary tasks.
  2. Click View Ø Resource Usage.
  3. Click the Group By pick list on the Standard toolbar and select the Assignments Keeping Outline Structure group.

To apply the Assignments Keeping Outline Structure group in Microsoft Project 2010, complete the following steps:

  1. Open any project in which the task list includes summary tasks.
  2. Click the View tab to display the View ribbon.
  3. In the Resource Views section of the View ribbon, click the Resource Usage button to apply the Resource Usage view.
  4. In the Data section of the View ribbon, click the Group By pick list and select the Assignments Keeping Outline Structure group.

The following figure shows the Resource Usage view with the Assignments Keeping Outline Structure group applied in Microsoft Project 2010. Notice how you can clearly see the WBS of summary tasks for every task assignment. For example, notice that the tasks assigned to Amy McKay are in the Renovation phase, the Construction deliverable section, and the Carpentry sub-deliverable section of the project. Notice also that the tasks assigned to Bob Siclari are in the Renovation phase, the Construction deliverable section, and the Plumbing sub-deliverable section of the project.

Resource Usage view with the Assignments
Keeping Outline Structure group applied

What’s New Study Guide Microsoft Project 2010 ships April 20th

The first Microsoft Project 2010 book release from msProjectExperts, What's New Study Guide Microsoft Project 2010, begins shipping on April 20, 2010. We are especially pleased to ship this book in time for the first Microsoft Project 2010 soft release. If you order now, you can have your book in your hands before May 12, when the first RTM versions of Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 technologies become available to partners and corporate customers.

Microsoft Project 2010 is a landmark release. From What's New Study Guide Microsoft Project 2010support for a radically changed scheduling paradigm to a host of new features that improve a Project Manager's experience, many of you 22 million Microsoft Project users worldwide are going to want to learn about Project 2010. msProjectExperts is Microsoft Project 2010 Ready.

Teach yourself how to use Microsoft Project 2010's new features with this self-paced study guide. Hands-on lessons complete with practice files get you up to speed on all of the revolutionary new features in Microsoft Project 2010, including manual scheduling, team planner, the fluid user interface and the new timeline view. Learn how to connect Project with SharePoint to allow your team members to update their tasks through the web without using Project Server. This book contains content culled from the acclaimed learning authority, Ultimate Study Guide Microsoft Project 2010 Foundations. What's New Study Guide Microsoft Project 2010 focuses only on new and changed features and behaviors. This book is the perfect learning solution for experienced Microsoft Project users upgrading from Microsoft Project versions 98 through 2007.

For a limited time only, What's New Study Guide Microsoft Project 2010 is available through the msProjectExperts Preview Sale for $15 freight-included for delivery anywhere in the US. Click here to be first on your block to own one.

Which Project Server Instance Are You Connected To?

When you connect your copy of Microsoft Project Professional 2007 to an instance of Project Server 2007, Project Pro does not make it immediately obvious which instance it is connected to. When you look at the Project Pro 2007 interface, it may display that you are "Connected" on the lower status bar, but does not display the instance...

 

To determine which Project Server instance you are connected to, select...

Tools > Enterprise Options > Microsoft Office Project Accounts

In the 'Project Server Accounts' dialog, it displays the "Current account" immediately below the 'Add' button:

 

Good luck!

Excerpts from Rod Gill’s VBA Book now on MSDN

VBA Programming for Microsoft ProjectI thought it worth a mention that the folks at the Microsoft Developer's Network (MSDN) were so impressed with Rod's content that they asked us to share it with them for publication on MSDN. Over the last couple years, Microsoft has been adding "community authored" content and we are very pleased that Rod's work was selected for inclusion.

As many of you already know, Rod has been a Project MVP for more than ten years, and continues to be one of the most passionate advocates for using VBA in Microsoft Project to extend the capabilities of the program as well as for reporting and workflows. Rod Gill's book is the first, and remains the only book, to cover VBA programming for Microsoft Project. You can learn more about this book on our site.

For the upcoming 2010 edition, Rod plans on expanding the book to a full-fledged desktop developers guide building on the VBA content to also include VSTO development for the Project 2010 client. To view the excerpts on MSDN follow the links below:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee355230.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee355232.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee355231.aspx

Project Workspace Hack -- Prevent Users From Reversing Deliverable Start and Deliverable Finish Dates

When using the Deliverables feature in Project Professional 2007, the tool prevents us from creating a deliverable that has a finish date that is prior to its start date:

 

However, when creating or editing a deliverable directly in the Project Workspace Deliverables list, there is no such validation. Fortunately for us, this is easily remedied with a little SharePoint trickery, our good friend the Content Editor Web Part (CEWP), and a little javascript. To prevent users from reversing the Deliverable Start and Deliverable Finish dates when creating deliverables (via the new deliverable page / form) or editing deliverables (via the edit deliverable page / form) in the Project Workspace, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Project Workspace.

 

2. Open the new deliverable page / form by visiting the following URL:

http://servername/pwainstancename/projectworkspacename/Lists/Deliverables/NewForm.aspx

(You will need to replace "servername", "pwainstancename", and "projectworkspacename" with your own values.)

 

3. On the 'Deliverables: New Item' page, we need to switch the page into editing mode; however, unlike other web part pages in SharePoint, the 'Site Actions' menu (upper right corner of the page) does not give us the option to edit this page. To force the page into editing mode, add the following to the end of the page URL in the web browser:

?PageView=Shared&ToolPaneView=2

 

4. With the page in editing mode, in the 'Add Web Parts' control panel, browse through the web parts list, locate the Content Editor Web Part (CEWP), and add it to the 'Main' web part zone in the page.

Note: You may need to page through the listed web parts to locate the CEWP.

 

5. In the upper right corner of the newly added CEWP, select 'Edit' > 'Modify Shared Web Part'.

 

6. In the CEWP control panel, click the 'Source Editor' button:

 

7. Paste the following javascript into the 'Text Entry' dialog box, then click the 'Save' button:

<script type=text/javascript>

function getTagFromIdentifierAndTitle(tagName, identifier, title){

var len = identifier.length;

var tags = document.getElementsByTagName(tagName);

for (var i=0; i < tags.length; i++) {

var tempString = tags[i].id;

if (tags[i].title == title && (identifier == "" || tempString.indexOf(identifier) == tempString.length - len)){

return tags[i];

}

}

return null;

}

function PreSaveAction()

{

var date1 = getTagFromIdentifierAndTitle("INPUT","DateTimeFieldDate","Deliverable Start");

var date2 = getTagFromIdentifierAndTitle("INPUT","DateTimeFieldDate","Deliverable Finish");

var arrDate1 = date1.value.split("/");

var useDate1 = new Date(arrDate1[2], arrDate1[1]-1, arrDate1[0]);

var arrDate2 = date2.value.split("/");

var useDate2 = new Date(arrDate2[2], arrDate2[1]-1, arrDate2[0]);

if(useDate1 > useDate2){

alert("The deliverable finish date occurs before the start date.");

return false; // Cancel the item save process

}

return true; // OK to proceed with the save item

}

</script>

 

7. Click the 'OK' button at the bottom of the CEWP control panel.

 

8. Open the edit deliverable page / form by visiting the following URL:

http://servername/pwainstancename/projectworkspacename/Lists/Deliverables/EditForm.aspx

(You will need to replace "servername", "pwainstancename", and "projectworkspacename" with your own values.)

Note: The title of this page ('Deliverables: New Item') is a bit misleading!

 

9. On the 'Deliverables: New Item' page, we need to switch the page into editing mode; however, unlike other web part pages in SharePoint, the 'Site Actions' menu (upper right corner of the page) does not give us the option to edit this page. To force the page into editing mode, add the following to the end of the page URL in the web browser:

?PageView=Shared&ToolPaneView=2

 

10. With the page in editing mode, in the 'Add Web Parts' control panel, browse through the web parts list, locate the Content Editor Web Part (CEWP), and add it to the 'Main' web part zone in the page.

Note: You may need to page through the listed web parts to locate the CEWP.

 

11. In the upper right corner of the newly added CEWP, select 'Edit' > 'Modify Shared Web Part'.

 

12. In the CEWP control panel, click the 'Source Editor' button:

 

13. Paste the previously listed javascript into the 'Text Entry' dialog box, then click the 'Save' button:

 

14. Click the 'OK' button at the bottom of the CEWP control panel:

 

Now when users attempt to create a new deliverable (on the NewForm.aspx page) in the Project Workspace with a Deliverable Finish date that precedes the Deliverable Start date, the page will display the following message and prevent the new deliverable from being saved:

 

Also, since we added the same validation code to the EditForm.aspx page, when someone attempts to edit an existing deliverable and place the finish prior to the start, the same message is displayed.

Note: This will only prevent reversed deliverable start and finish dates in a single Project Workspace. If you would like to add this validation to all subsequent workspaces that are created in your Project Server, you will need to update the Project Workspace template. To learn how this is done, read my previous article on the topic, 'Illustrated Guide to Updating the Project Server 2007 Workspace Template':

http://www.projectserverhelp.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=21

Happy hacking!

Making sharing schedules easier

Woeful apologies for my lack of posts, but no sooner had this blog started, I got a full time contract helping to plan an expansion to an oil refinery. Now I’m only part time so intend to resume blogging.

One of the problems we had on the refinery project was that there were 5 main schedules and 3 core schedulers to manage them. Each scheduler used all schedules (though mostly just two). Other issues aside, the key complaint was that each time you opened a schedule; it was in the state saved by the last user (no project server). Here is my solution:

A Project_Open macro that depending on the logged in user’s name, applied a View and Table reserved for each contractor’s scheduler. Finally the Gantt chart was scrolled to today’s date.

Private Sub Project_Open(ByVal pj As Project)

    Select Case UserName

        Case "Contractor1 Name"

            ViewApply "Gantt Chart C1"

            TableApply "C1"

        Case "Contractor2 Name"

            ViewApply "Gantt Chart C2"

            TableApply "C2"

        Case "Contractor3 Name"

            ViewApply "Gantt Chart C3"

            TableApply "C3"

        Case Else

            ViewApply "Gantt Chart"

            TableApply "Entry"

    End Select

    EditGoTo Date:=Date

End Sub

 

Now each user experiences only their own interface by default and always sees current Tasks (Gantt Chart scrolls to today’s date). This is so seamless, they complained when using Project on another system!

 

Happy programming,
Rod Gill

Stay Ahead of the Pack With These MS Project Resume Building and Job Search Tips

We all know that times are tough for many Project Managers and the companies that employ them. Even if you are not currently a daily MS Project or Project Server user, these products have such a large market share that turning a blind eye to them may mean the difference between landing / keeping a job... and hunting through the job boards.

Here are a few tips and resources to build your resume and stand out from the rest of the Project Management and Microsoft Project user community:

  • Learn Microsoft Project Inside and Out
  • Learn How to Manage Projects Using Project Server
  • Learn How to Administer Project Server
  • Get Certified in Microsoft Project and Project Server
  • Post Your Business Card at ProjectServerExperts.com
  • Monitor MS Project Jobs, Project Server Jobs, and Project Management Jobs at ProjectServerExperts.com
  • Monitor MS Project Jobs, Project Server Jobs, and Project Management Jobs via the MSProjExperts Twitter Feed

 

Learn Microsoft Project Inside and Out

In my experience working with MS Project and helping others to learn the tool, most people who have a copy of Microsoft Project (desktop) struggle to build anything more sophisticated than a simple project schedule. It is an extremely powerful, yet very misunderstood tool. If you can take the time to truly learn MS Project inside and out, then that puts you far ahead of most folks.

Once you have mastered it, don't be afraid to use the word "expert" on your resume!

Although there is a scattered collection of online resources for people who want to learn more about MS Project, it is better to get your hands on a GREAT book, or better yet, attend a GREAT training class. Here are some options that MSProjectExperts offer:

Ultimate Learning Guide to Microsoft Office Project 2007

http://www.projectserverbooks.com/books/ultimatelearningproject2007.aspx

Over 900 pages of goodness, this book covers every single feature in Microsoft Project 2007, including exercises, warnings, and best practice notes.

If you want to take it a step farther and attend a formal, structured training class, here is a great option:

Establishing a Project Management Foundation using Microsoft Office Project 2007

http://projectservertraining.com/learning/foundations2k7.aspx

This two-day hands-on class is held in New York City, via cyberspace, or at your location, is led by certified instructors with years of field experience, and earns PMPs 14 PDUs.

 

Learn How to Manage Projects Using Project Server

Not only is Microsoft Project on the desktop understood by a select few, even fewer people have sufficient training and experience to call themselves masters of Project Server. With more companies adopting this powerful Enterprise Project Management (EPM) tool every day, you are wise to keep yourself in the game by learning how to use it effectively.

Once again, if you have mastered the use of Project Server for managing projects, don't be shy about stating it on your resume.

There are even fewer quality resources available to learn Project Server; here are some great options to prepare yourself:

Managing Enterprise Projects using Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

http://www.projectserverbooks.com/books/managingprojectsprojectserver2007.aspx

Nearly 900 pages of Project Server wisdom are contained in this book, including exercises, warnings, and best practice notes.

If you want to take it a step farther and attend a formal, structured training class, here is a great option:

Managing Projects from Foundation to Enterprise using Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

http://projectservertraining.com/learning/hybrid2k7.aspx

This four-day hands-on class is held in New York City, via cyberspace, or at your location, is led by certified instructors with years of field experience, and earns PMPs 28 PDUs.

 

Learn How to Administer Project Server

As more companies adopt Project Server every day, there are more companies that find themselves in need of a trained, experienced person to update and care for their Project Servers... a.k.a. the Project Server Administrator. People who know how to administer Project Server are few and far between. If you have an interest in it, learn how to do it, and it you will reap great rewards.

Here are some terrific options for learning this invaluable skill set:

Implementing and Administering Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

http://www.projectserverbooks.com/books/implementingadministeringprojectserver2007.aspx

This book contains over 900 pages of highly detailed information covering how to administer every area of Project Server 2007, including exercises, warnings, and best practice notes.

If you want to take it a step farther and attend a formal, structured training class, here is a great option:

Configuring and Administering Microsoft Project Server 2007

http://projectservertraining.com/learning/administering2k7.aspx

This three-day hands-on class is held in New York City, via cyberspace, or at your location, is led by certified instructors with years of field experience, and earns PMPs 21 PDUs.

 

Get Certified in Microsoft Project and Project Server

Once you have mastered any or all of the areas described above, there is no better way to prove it to your employer -- or prospective employer -- than earning a Microsoft certification. There are four certification exams that you can take, depending upon how you and your company use MS Project and Project Server:

70-632: Microsoft Office Project 2007, Managing Projects

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-632

70-633: Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-633

70-634: Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects and Programs

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-634

70-639: Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Configuring

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-639

Passing any one of these exams earns you an MCTS certification; passing the 70-632, 70-633, and 70-634 exams will earn you the MCITP certification. Both look great on a resume!

To prepare yourself for the 70-632 exam, you can attend the MSProjectExperts course specially-designed for this purpose:

Ultimate Microsoft Project 2007 Exam Prep Boot Camp 70-632

http://projectservertraining.com/learning/ultimateexamprep.aspx

This three-day hands-on class is held in New York City, via cyberspace, or at your location, is led by certified instructors with years of field experience, and earns PMPs 21 PDUs.

To prepare yourself for the 70-633 exam, you can attend the MSProjectExperts course specially-designed for this purpose:

Managing Projects from Foundation to Enterprise using Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 Exam Prep

http://projectservertraining.com/learning/hybrid2k7exam.aspx

This five-day hands-on class is held in New York City, via cyberspace, or at your location, is led by certified instructors with years of field experience, and earns PMPs 35 PDUs.

If you are planning to take the 70-639 exam, attending the 'Configuring and Administering Microsoft Office Project Server 2007' course mentioned above should prepare you well.

If you are planning to attend the Microsoft Project Conference 2009 in September (http://www.msprojectconference.com), you can take the 70-632 and 70-633 exams for FREE.

 

Post Your Business Card at ProjectServerExperts.com

After you have mastered Microsoft Project and / or Project Server, get noticed by posting your virtual business card on the Project Server Experts Community web site... it's FREE:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

Monitor MS Project Jobs, Project Server Jobs, and Project Management Jobs at ProjectServerExperts.com

Rather than waiting for that next job to find you, be proactive and keep your eye on the MS Project, Project Server, and Project Management jobs that are updated daily on the Project Server Experts Community web site:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

Monitor MS Project Jobs, Project Server Jobs, and Project Management Jobs via the MSProjExperts Twitter Feed

Not only are you proactive, but you are hip to the latest online social networking tools available. If you don't already have one, sign up for a free Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com) and follow the MSProjExperts Twitter feed:

http://www.twitter.com/msprojexperts

Not only will you be notified automatically of the latest MS Project, Project Server, and Project Management jobs, but you will also be the first to learn about the latest articles and announcements that are posted on the Project Server Help blog (http://www.projectserverhelp.com).

 

I wish you luck in staying ahead of the pack!

Announcing the Ultimate Project 2007 Exam Prep Boot Camp -- September 9-11 in Phoenix AZ

As stated in my previous post, 'Get Certified in Microsoft Project 2007 and Project Server 2007 for Free at the Project Conference 2009', people who attend the Microsoft Project Conference 2009 (September 14-17) in Phoenix, Arizona, will have the opportunity to take the 70-632 and 70-633 certification exams for free:

http://www.projectserverhelp.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=84

For those who are planning to attend the Project Conference and take the 70-632 exam (Microsoft Office Project 2007, Managing Projects), for anyone who is planning to take the exam in the near future, or for anyone who would like to improve their scheduling skills with Microsoft Project 2007, we are offering the 'Ultimate Project 2007 Exam Prep Boot Camp' September 9-11 in Phoenix to fully prepare you for the 70-632 exam.

 

Arrive in Phoenix Early and Get Prepared

Held late in the week immediately prior to the Microsoft Project Conference 2009, this three-day intensive boot camp will be held at the Microsoft offices in Phoenix, Arizona; it will cover in great detail the scheduling skills required to successfully manage projects with Microsoft Project 2007, as well as the skills required to pass the 70-632 exam. For more information about the exam, including the skills that are measured, visit the following page on Microsoft.com:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-632

 

When, Where, and How Much

When: September 9-11, 2009

Where:

Microsoft

Mesquite Conference Room

2929 N. Central Avenue

Suite 1400

Phoenix, AZ 85012

Price: $1,695 per person

 

Register By August 10th and Save a Ton of Dough

Early bird registrations for the 'Ultimate Project 2007 Exam Prep Boot Camp' can be made before August 10, 2009, saving nearly $700 per person:

 

Boot Camp Regular Price: $1,695 per person

Boot Camp Early Bird Price: $999 per person

 

What You Will Get

Everyone brave enough to attend the boot camp will receive the following:

  • The knowledge required to pass the MCTS 70-632 certification exam
  • One of the latest and greatest Microsoft Office Project 2007 books by MSProjectExperts' Dale Howard and Gary Chefetz... a $99 value!
  • 21 PDU credits for certified PMPs
  • ...And you can take the exam right at the Project Conference for FREE

 

Seating is Limited, So Register Today

To register for the 'Ultimate Project 2007 Exam Prep Boot Camp' or for more information, contact Jennifer Herman:

Email: Jennifer.Herman@msprojectexperts.com

Phone: 646.736.1688 Ext.22

We hope to see you at the boot camp and the conference!

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