Project Standard Edition - Project Server Help Blog

7/18/2010

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.

Posted at 7:29 PM by Dale Howard | Category: Project 2010; Project Professional Client; Project Standard Edition | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/23/2010

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:

Open any project in which the task list includes summary tasks.
Click View Ø Resource Usage.
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:

Open any project in which the task list includes summary tasks.
Click the View tab to display the View ribbon.
In the Resource Views section of the View ribbon, click the Resource Usage button to apply the Resource Usage view.
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

Posted at 9:30 PM by Dale Howard | Category: Project 2010; Project Development; Project Professional Client; Project Standard Edition; Training | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/5/2010

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 2010 support 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.

Posted at 1:32 PM by Gary Chefetz | Category: Project 2010; Project Professional Client; Project Standard Edition; Training | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/30/2009

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!

Posted at 11:33 AM by Tony Zink | Category: Certification; Project Professional Client; Project Server Administration; Project Server General; Project Server Usage; Project Standard Edition; Training | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/24/2009

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!

Posted at 3:52 PM by Tony Zink | Category: Certification; Project Professional Client; Project Standard Edition; Training | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Get Certified in Microsoft Project 2007 and Project Server 2007 for Free at the Project Conference 2009

The Microsoft Project Conference 2009 is quickly approaching (September 14-17, 2009), and along with all of the great information, perks, and freebies that will be provided at the event, there will be free certification testing for the 70-632 and 70-633 exams available to all conference attendees.

70-632: Microsoft Office Project 2007, Managing Projects

If you are a regular user of Microsoft Project 2007 Standard or Professional Edition and have a strong understanding of many of its standalone desktop features that are used to build, maintain, and control project schedules, then you are a good candidate to take this exam. For more information about this exam, including a list of the skills that are measured, visit the following page on Microsoft.com:

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

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

If you are a regular user of Microsoft Project 2007 Professional Edition in conjunction with Project Server 2007 and have a strong understanding of many of its enterprise features that are used to manage and support projects in an Enterprise Project Management (EPM) environment, then you are a good candidate to take this exam. For more information about this exam, including a list of the skills that are measured, visit the following page on Microsoft.com:

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

Credit Toward Certification

Passing either exam will earn you the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification in the respective area, and will count as credit toward earning the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification, which requires a passing score on the 70-632, 70-633, and 70-634 exams.

More Info About the Microsoft Project Conference

The 2009 Microsoft Project Conference will be held September 14-17, 2009, in Phoenix, Arizona. From the Microsoft Project Conference 2009 web site...

"This year's conference will exclusively disclose the powerful capabilities included in Microsoft Project 2010 and Microsoft Enterprise Project Management (EPM) Solutions while providing real world guidance on how Microsoft Project 2007 and Microsoft EPM Solutions are helping customers today with Project and Portfolio Management to save money, enhance efficiency and prepare for future growth. With in-depth content and hands-on opportunities to learn about Microsoft Project 2010 and Microsoft EPM Solutions, obtain unique insights into how the next release will continue to support your business tomorrow."

Visit the web site to learn more:

http://www.msprojectconference.com

Give It a Try!

Even if you are unsure of your Microsoft Project 2007 or Project Server 2007 skill level, this is a great opportunity to test your skills for free.

Good luck!

Posted at 3:13 PM by Tony Zink | Category: Events; Project Professional Client; Project Server Usage; Project Standard Edition; Certification | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (3)