This course explains how to use Microsoft Project to plan, manage, and control projects. It covers task scheduling, resources, costs, tracking progress, and reporting. Readers also learn to manage sprint-based and hybrid projects.

Microsoft Project For Dummies

Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Understand core project management concepts using Microsoft Project tools
Build structured project plans using tasks, milestones, and dependencies
Estimate task duration and effort to create realistic schedules
Skills you'll gain
- Timelines
- Project Planning
- Scheduling
- Earned Value Management
- Cost Estimation
- Backlogs
- Project Controls
- Project Estimation
- Milestones (Project Management)
- Cost Management
- Sprint Planning
- Calendar Management
- Project Management
- Project Scoping
- Project Schedules
- Resource Utilization
- Resource Planning
- Agile Project Management
Tools you'll learn
Details to know

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October 2026
24 assignments
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There are 23 modules in this course
This module introduces the fundamentals of project management using Microsoft Project, covering how to manage tasks, timelines, and resources effectively. Learners will gain an understanding of key project management concepts and how to navigate the Project interface to create and manage schedules.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- What's in a Name: Projects, Project Management, and Project Managers•5 minutes
- Introducing Microsoft Project•5 minutes
- Navigating Ribbon tabs and the Ribbon•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Project Management and MS Project Essentials•16 minutes
This module equips learners with the essential skills to define project scope, create a project charter, and organize tasks using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). It also covers techniques for structuring work by deliverables or geography and explores the benefits of manual versus automatic scheduling in project planning.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Organizing the Work•6 minutes
- Indenting and outdenting (a.k.a. promoting and demoting)•4 minutes
- Weighing manual scheduling versus automatic scheduling•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Project Planning and Management Essentials•16 minutes
This module covers essential task management techniques, including the use of project summary tasks, task movement, and recurring tasks. Learners will gain the skills to improve schedule accuracy, manage project outlines effectively, and set meaningful milestones for project success.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 22 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- The project summary task•6 minutes
- Now You See It, Now You Don't: Collapsing and Expanding the Task Outline•6 minutes
- Setting Milestones•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Task Management Techniques•16 minutes
This module explores the role of task dependencies in project planning, covering different types of dependencies and how they influence scheduling and resource allocation. Learners will gain an understanding of how to effectively set up and manage task relationships to improve project efficiency and success.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Dependency types•4 minutes
- Setting the Dependency Connection•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Task Dependencies in Project Scheduling•16 minutes
This module provides learners with essential skills in estimating task durations, analyzing task types, and using constraints and splits to build realistic project schedules. It covers the distinction between effort and duration, and explores how changes in resources affect task timelines. Learners will gain practical knowledge for improving project planning accuracy.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 26 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- A TASK TYPE EXAMPLE•5 minutes
- Estimating Effort and Duration•6 minutes
- Controlling Timing with Constraints•4 minutes
- Starting and Pausing Tasks•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Task Estimation and Project Scheduling•16 minutes
This module explores how to navigate and customize various views in project management software to effectively analyze task and resource data. Learners will discover how to use different views to focus on specific project aspects such as resources, budget, and task sequencing. The module provides hands-on guidance for modifying and tailoring views to suit individual project needs.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 26 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Scrolling around•3 minutes
- More Detail about Views•5 minutes
- Customizing Views•8 minutes
- Modifying Network Diagram view•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Project View Customization•16 minutes
This module explores the fundamentals of project resource management, including how to estimate and optimize the use of work, material, and cost resources. Learners will gain insights into planning for resource availability and assigning resources based on skill sets and task requirements. The focus is on improving project efficiency through effective resource allocation strategies.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 25 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Estimating resource requirements•5 minutes
- Identifying resources before you know their names•6 minutes
- When a resource comes and goes•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Resource Planning and Management Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module covers the fundamentals of calendar systems, including how to configure and use base, project, resource, and task calendars. Learners will gain skills in setting working times, exceptions, and relationships to improve scheduling efficiency. It also explores the creation of custom calendar templates to suit specific project needs.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Scheduling with Calendar Options and Working Times•5 minutes
- Working with Task Calendars and Resource Calendars•5 minutes
- Creating a Custom Calendar Template•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Calendar Management in Project Planning•16 minutes
This module explores the process of assigning tasks to resources, balancing project constraints, and optimizing resource utilization to improve project efficiency. Learners will understand how to manage resource allocation effectively and adjust work contours for better task scheduling.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 17 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Making a Useful Assignation•7 minutes
- Shaping the contour that's right for you•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Resource Allocation and Management Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module explores how to calculate and manage project costs by understanding resource rates, cost structures, and the role of tools like Microsoft Project. Learners will gain skills in identifying fixed and variable costs and applying them to project planning.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Specifying Cost Information in the Project•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Project Cost Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module teaches learners how to refine and optimize project schedules by creating custom filters, organizing data into meaningful groups, and inspecting tasks to identify and resolve issues before final approval.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 17 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Creating do-it-yourself filters•4 minutes
- Devising your own groups•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Project Planning and Scheduling Tools•16 minutes
This module equips learners with strategies to manage project constraints by exploring contingency reserves, resource allocation, and time-cost trade-offs. It provides practical insights into balancing stakeholder priorities, managing risk, and optimizing project efficiency through cost-effective solutions.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 22 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- WORKING WITH RISK•5 minutes
- Getting What You Want for Less•6 minutes
- Finding help•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Project Constraints•16 minutes
This module focuses on enhancing the visual presentation of project management tools such as Gantt charts, network diagrams, and gridlines. Learners will gain skills in formatting techniques, layout adjustments, and critical path visibility to improve clarity and professionalism in project communication.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Zeroing in on critical issues•4 minutes
- Adjusting the Layout•3 minutes
- Modifying Gridlines•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Enhancing Project Visuals•16 minutes
This module covers the fundamentals of establishing and managing baselines and interim plans in project management. Learners will gain an understanding of how to set benchmarks for tracking progress and how to save multiple baseline versions for different project stages. The module also explores the use of interim plans as a simplified version of a baseline.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video
- Overview•0 minutes
3 readings•Total 12 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Saving more than one baseline•4 minutes
- In the Interim•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Baselines and Interim Plans in Project Management•16 minutes
This module covers techniques for tracking and managing project progress using tools like Task sheets and Tracking tables. Learners will gain skills in calculating percent complete, managing auto-scheduled tasks, and adjusting task timelines effectively. The content supports efficient project management and data-driven decision-making.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 22 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Determining the percent complete•6 minutes
- Specifying remaining durations for auto-scheduled tasks•4 minutes
- Moving a Task•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Project Management Tools•16 minutes
This module teaches how to effectively track and analyze project progress using tools like baselines, actuals, and earned value management. Learners will gain the skills to interpret variances in cost and schedule, and understand how to use visual and numerical data for better decision-making.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 19 minutes
- Introduction•7 minutes
- Delving into the Detail•4 minutes
- Tracking Progress Using Earned Value Management•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Project Progress Monitoring and Evaluation•16 minutes
This module focuses on identifying project issues and risks, analyzing what-if scenarios, and using project management tools to update plans and manage deviations. Learners will gain skills in adapting to changes, optimizing resources, and maintaining project progress under challenging conditions.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 24 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- What-If Scenarios•6 minutes
- Using resource leveling (again)•4 minutes
- Throwing resources at the problem•6 minutes
- When All Else Fails•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Navigating Project Delays and Resource Constraints•16 minutes
This module teaches learners how to generate, customize, and format project reports using a project management tool. It covers visual design, layout adjustments, and print settings to enhance data communication. Learners will gain practical skills in creating professional reports tailored to their project needs.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 25 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Creating New Reports•4 minutes
- Fine-Tuning a Report•4 minutes
- Spiffing Things Up•4 minutes
- Calling the Printer!•5 minutes
- Working on the Timeline•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Project Reporting and Visualization•16 minutes
This module introduces learners to the fundamentals of setting up Sprints Projects, including key views like the backlog board and sheet, and how to customize tools for adaptive project tracking. It covers the differences between plan-driven and adaptive project management approaches and how to prioritize work effectively.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Enjoying a Whole New View•5 minutes
- The Backlog Board and the Backlog sheet•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Sprints Project Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module covers essential techniques for tracking sprint projects using tools like tables, filters, and groups. Learners will gain practical knowledge on managing both standalone and integrated projects while generating meaningful reports. It introduces core agile practices and terminology used in sprint management.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
1 reading•Total 7 minutes
- Tracking a Sprints Project - The Reading•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Sprints Project Tracking and Reporting•16 minutes
This module explores techniques for improving project management through careful analysis of project schedules, refinement of communication strategies, and the creation of reusable templates to enhance efficiency and accuracy in future projects.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 12 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Comparing Versions of a Project•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Mastering Project Management Tools and Techniques•16 minutes
This module provides essential project management principles through practical aphorisms and strategies. Learners will discover how to manage uncertainty, document project details effectively, and maintain team alignment. By the end, they will be equipped with adaptable techniques for successful project delivery.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 13 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Expect the Unexpected•4 minutes
- Document It•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Project Management Planning and Adaptation•16 minutes
This module explores ten essential shortcuts designed to boost productivity and streamline workflows. Learners will discover time-saving techniques for navigating and working efficiently in software environments. The content is ideal for anyone looking to improve their speed and mastery of digital tools.
What's included
1 video1 reading2 assignments
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
1 reading•Total 5 minutes
- Ten Cool Shortcuts in Project - The Reading•5 minutes
2 assignments•Total 108 minutes
- The Microsoft Project For Dummies Final Assessment•92 minutes
- Mastering Productivity Tools in Project Management•16 minutes
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