using ms project - villanova university

USING MS PROJECT,Project management software programs such as Microsoft Project can be used for developing the project scheduleWe demonstrate the use of MS Project for a sample projectComplete model found in construction.mpp,M. J. Liberatore DIT 1141,Example Project,Table 1: Task, Duration, and Immediate Predecessor Information for Construction Project IMMEDIATE DURATIONTASKDESCRIPTION PREDECESSORS(WEEKS)1START -02Excavate and Pour Footers 133Pour Concrete Foundation 214Erect Rough Wall & Roof 345Install Siding 466Install Plumbing 437Install Electrical 448Install Wallboard 6,759Lay Flooring 8610Do Interior Painting 8311Install Interior Fixtures 9,10312Install Gutters & Downspouts 5213Do Grading & Landscaping 12314FINISH 11,130,MS Project Setup,Launch MS Project, click on New, OKClick on Project, Project Information, select 10/1/01 as the start date, OKClick on Save icon, type in project name, OK,MS Project Setup,MS Project Setup,Use Tools, Change Working Time, to make necessary adjustmentsTools, Options, click on “Schedule” tab select “weeks” in Duration is entered inmake sure New tasks are effort driven is not checkeddefault task type is “fixed duration”Click Set as Default, OK,MS Project Setup,Tools, Options, Schedule,Entering Task Information,Gantt Chart is the default view, Entry table on left, chart on rightType in task name in the field, tab over to enter duration ( w for weeks)Enter predecessor task numbers in the “Predecessors” fieldCan use link and unlink icons MS Project automatically gives start and finish dates based on critical path analysis (to be discussed)The Task Information icon can be used to access information about a particular task,Entering Task Information,Drawing AON Network,1 0 2 3 3 1 4 4 6 5 3 6 7 4 2 12 5 8 10 3 6 9 3 13 11 3 14 0,Construction example,Networks in MS Project,The Gantt Chart view shows task linkagesChange view to Network Diagram by clicking on the icon on the panel on the extreme leftUse “zoom” to focus in as desired,Gantt Charts in MS Project,Summary Tasks In Ms Project 2000,Summary tasks can be used to better organize a projectReturning to construction.mpp we add three tasks with 0 duration: Structure, Interior, and ExteriorStructure includes current tasks 2 4, Interior includes 6 11, Exterior includes 5, 12, 13The tasks that are included in each of the summary tasks are moved under them and are indented (thick arrow point to the right),The summary tasks are outdented (thick arrow point to the left) and appear in boldSee constructionS.mpp for the revised project,Summary Tasks In Ms Project 2000,Figure 17.10: Gantt Chart View Using Summary Tasks,Summary Tasks In Ms Project 2000,Critical Path Analysis,MS Project automatically computes the critical path and the earliest and latest start and finish times and slackProject, Project Information, Statistics shows the critical path is 26 weeks in our project,Critical Path Analysis,Critical Path Analysis,Critical path tasks can be identified as those have zero total slack (TS) or floatTS = LF EF = LS ESThe TS of only 1 task can be used if we want to be certain about not delaying the projectFree slack (FS) of a task is the difference between the smallest of the ESs of the tasks immediate successors and the tasks EF.Using FS does not affect the start times of a tasks successorsFS = TSFS of of multiple tasks can be used without delaying th