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Description

Microsoft Project: Building Schedules, Managing Resources and Tracking Variances

Build a Microsoft Project schedule that updates itself and stays credible throughout the project

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

A schedule built in Microsoft Project is often used only once. Tasks are entered with fixed dates. Dependency links are missing. The critical path appears nowhere. At the first slippage the file becomes inaccurate and the team falls back on an improvised spreadsheet.

Over two days you will learn to build a schedule that lives. You structure the project into work packages and tasks. You set the links, the constraints and the durations. You assign resources and resolve overallocations. You save a baseline and then track actual progress. Finally you produce the reports expected by project leadership.

Learning objectives

  • Structure a project into work packages and tasks in Microsoft Project
  • Schedule tasks using links and constraints
  • Assign resources and resolve overallocations
  • Save a baseline and track progress
  • Produce the reports and views expected by stakeholders

What makes this programme different

Step-by-step build of the schedule for a complete project
Resolution of resource overallocations on a realistic case
Simulation of a delay and measurement of its effect on the critical path

Programme

1Getting to Grips with the Tool and Structuring the Project

A properly configured file prevents misleading schedules

  • Interface, views and project settings
  • Project calendars and exceptions
  • Breakdown into work packages and task hierarchy
  • Manually scheduled versus automatically scheduled tasks

2Scheduling the Tasks

Making the project logic visible

  • Durations, milestones and summary tasks
  • Dependency links and lead or lag time
  • Constraints and deadlines
  • Critical path and float

3Managing Resources

Who does what and at what cost

  • Work, material and cost resources
  • Assignments and assignment units
  • Detecting and resolving overallocations
  • Project costs and budget tracking

4Tracking the Project and Communicating

From forecast schedule to active control

  • Saving the baseline
  • Entering actual progress
  • Variance analysis and rescheduling
  • Reports, custom views and distribution

Who is it for

Project managers and coordinators as well as project assistants, work package leaders and managers required to plan activities using Microsoft Project.

Prerequisites

Familiarity with project management basics and the Windows environment.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.