1. CIS 480 Systems Analysis and Design
MS Project Concepts
CIS 480
Systems Analysis and Design
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2. Outline Project Configuration Creating tasks Creating dependencies
Setting the project start date
Setting the calendar
Creating tasks
Task
Summary task
Milestone task
Creating dependencies
Type of dependency
Calculation of slack time
Gantt Chart
Pert Network
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3. A Standard calendar has weekends off
Setting Up the Project
A Standard calendar has weekends off
Project->Project Information…
Project
Start date
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4. Creating a Task Type in the task name Adjust the task duration
The start and
finish are
calculated based
on the project start
Date and dependencies
Type in
the task name
Adjust
the task
duration
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5. Creating a Summary Task
Use pointer to
rearrange tasks
Note summary task shown
in black
Use double
ended arrow
to subordinate tasks
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6. Milestones have zero duration
Creating a Milestone
Milestones have zero duration
Make
milestone
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7. Task Dependencies Finish-to-Start (FS) Start-to-Start (SS)
Task B cannot start until task A finishes (most common)
Start-to-Start (SS)
Task B cannot start until task A starts (both start the same time)
Finish-to-Finish (FF)
Task B cannot finish until task A finishes (both finish at the same time)
Start-to-Finish (SF)
Task B cannot finish until task A starts
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8. Dependency Gantt Examples
FinishStart(FS)
StartStart(SS)
StartFinish(SF)
FinishFinish(FF)
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9. Lead and Lag Dependencies
1 day Lag
1 day
Lead
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10. Adding Dependencies
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11. Detail Dependency Information
Setting for dependency
type and lag
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12. Adding Display Columns
Right click on a column heading to add a new column of data before it
Select the column you want to add to the display and click OK
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13. Understanding Calculations
Take the following project with the predecessors (dependencies) listed
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14. How are Calculations Performed?
Early Start times are determined by a forward pass analyzing the predecessor. The calendar is used to skip the weekends.
Late Start is determine by looking at the end finish date and making a backward pass to calculate when the latest time the task can start without effecting the project timeline.
Slack Time is the difference between early start and late start
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15. Task List A difference between Early-start and late-start
Indicates slack time
Slack
Difference
Early-Late
Late
Start
Early
Start
Critical
Path
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16. 1,2 & 3 all start at beginning
Gantt Chart
1,2 & 3 all start at beginning 3 7 9
Note the
predecessors
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17. Calculation of EarlyStart, LateStart,Slack
Task 9 has predecessor of 7 and 7 has
predecessor of 3
Calculation of EarlyStart, LateStart,Slack
Task Three (3 days)
EarlyStart (Project Start on 6/1/06)
LateStart = Task 7 LateStart – Task 3 duration: 6/2/06
Task Seven (6 days)
Task 7 StartFinish predecessor of Task 3
EarlyStart =Task 3 Finish 6/5/ day: 6/6/06
LateStart = Task 9 LateStart – Task 7 duration: 6/7/06
Task Nine (3 days)
Task 9 StartFinish predecessor of Task 7
EarlyStart = Task 7 Finish 6/13/ day: 6/14/06
LateStart = Task 10 Start – 3 days: 6/15/06
Forward Calculation
Slack
1 day
Backward Calculation
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18. Red task boxes represent the critical path
Pert Network
View->Network Diagram
Red task boxes represent the critical path
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19. Working Backward from a Completion Date
from Project Menu
select -
Project Information
In dialog box
pick schedule from
Project Finish Date
Enter the target
finish date
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20. Highlighting the Critical Path
From the Format Menu
select the
Check the Critical Tasks Check box
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21. Creating and Assigning Resources
Select the Resources main menu choice and click on the Assign Resources Tab
Double click on new resource on the dialog box that appears.
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22. Creating and Assigning Resources (Continued)
Add your resources name and any other appropriate information on the general tab,
Move to the costs tab and enter at least a standard rate and look at the other options
The Notes tab is used for any descriptive info needed,: about skill sets, etc.
When finished click OK to save
Repeat for as many resources as you will be using for the project.
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23. Creating and Assigning Resources (Continued)
With the assign resources dialog displayed
Click on a task on the Gantt chart
You are now ready to assign resources to the selected task.
The R/D column stands for Request/Demand and those are the 2 choices
The Units column allows you to specify the percentage of effort of the resource that will be allocated to the task
You do not fill in the cost column that value is calculated
Click on assign when you have specified the units you want.
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24. Dr. Morgan CIS 480

25. Adjusting Duration by Adding Resources
If more than 100% of person’s time is assigned to a task, an icon appears in the task mode allowing you options for adjusting the schedule
Pick reduce duration if workers were added to speed up a task on the critical path.
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