Microsoft project 2003

Chapter 3Entering Tasks

Entering Tasks

There are several approaches that we can take to fill in the Gantt Chart. Brainstorming Sequential Team Collaboration Archived Project Expert Consultation Phases

• Adding tasks to your project plan1.Make sure you’re working in the Gantt Chart

2.Type the name of the task in the Task Name field.

3.Press Enter or the Down Arrow Key to move to the next row.

4.To edit a task that’s already entered, click the task name and then make your changes in the entry box just above the task sheet or click in the selected task name until the cursor appears and edit it directly.

• Importing tasks from an Excel Worksheet1.Start Microsoft Excel

2.In the New Workbook task pane, click On My Computer..

3.Click Spreadsheet Solutions tab

4.Double click on Microsoft Project Task List Import Template

5.Enter the task and other task information as needed and then save the file

When you’re ready to import task list into

your project plan, follow these steps:1.Open the Project Plan into which you want to

import the Excel task list.

2.On the standard toolbar, click Open

3.Go to the location on your computer or network where the Excel task list is saved.

4.In the Files of Type , click Microsoft Excel Workbooks (*.xls).

5.Click the task list book and then click open. Import Wizard appears.

6. Click Next

7. Click Project Excel Template and then click Next.

8. Specify whether you want to import the file as a new project, append the tasks to the currently active project, or merge the data into the active project.

9. Click finish.

• Entering Recurring Tasks1. Make sure you’re working in the Gantt Chart

2. In the Task Name field, click in the row below where you want the recurring task to appear.

3. Click Insert, Recurring Task.

4. In the Recurring Task dialog box, type the name of the recurring task in the Task Name field.

5. Under Recurring Pattern, specify how often the task is to be scheduled; that is, daily, weekly, or monthly.

6. Specify the details of when the task is task is to take place during that frequency; for example, every other Thursday or the first Monday of every month.

7. Under Range of Recurrence, specify when the recurring task is to start and end.

8. When finish click OK.

Setting Up Your Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Each item and level in a work breakdown structure is described by a unique WBS code. Each digit in the code represent a level in the structure’s hierarchy, 2.1.4.3 or 5.B.c.3.

A WBS code such as 1.2.3 might represent the third deliverable for the second activity in the first phase of the project.

• Set up your custom WBS code scheme1. Click Project, WBS, Define Code

2. If you use a prefix for the project in front of the WBS code to distinguish it from other projects using the same code format, enter that prefix in the Project Code Prefix Box.

3. In the sequence field in the first row, select whether the first digit of the code is an ordered number, ordered uppercase letter, lowercase letter, or unordered character.

4. In the Length Field in the first row, specify whether there is a length limit for the first code.

5. In the separator field in the first row, specify the character that separates the first and second code.

6. Repeat the procedure in the sequence field in the row.