MS Project Cheat Sheet – Lab 1 & Lab 2 (Complete)
Lab 1 – Interface & Calendars
1. Interface Basics
• Gantt Chart View: Default view; shows task list (left) & timeline (right).
• Ribbon Tabs:
- Task → Create/edit tasks, link tasks.
- Resource → Assign/manage resources.
- View → Switch between views.
• Quick Access Toolbar: Add common commands (Save, Undo, Redo).
2. Creating a New Project
File → New → Blank Project.
Project Start Date: Project → Project Information.
3. Setting Working Time & Calendars
Project → Change Working Time.
Base Calendars:
• Standard (8am–5pm, Mon–Fri).
• 24 Hours.
• Night Shift.
Custom Calendar:
1. Create New Calendar (Copy from Standard).
2. Modify working hours, add holidays.
4. Saving the Project
File → Save As → choose location → .mpp format.
Lab 2 – Task Dependencies
1. Creating Tasks
Enter tasks in the Task Name column.
Duration: Enter manually (e.g., 5d for 5 days).
2. Linking Tasks (Dependencies)
Method 1 (Select & Link): Select two or more tasks → Task → Link Tasks (chain icon).
Method 2 (Predecessors Column): Enter the task ID of the predecessor in the 'Predecessors'
column.
Add dependency type if needed (e.g., 3FS for Finish-to-Start with Task 3).
3. Dependency Types
Code
Type
Description
FS
Finish-to-Start
Task B starts when Task A finishes (default).
SS
Start-to-Start
Both start together or overlap.
FF
Finish-to-Finish
Both finish together or overlap.
SF
Start-to-Finish
Task B finishes when Task A starts (rare).
4. Lag & Lead Time
Lead (overlap): 2FS-2d → Task starts 2 days before predecessor finishes.
Lag (delay): 2FS+3d → Task starts 3 days after predecessor finishes.
5. Removing Dependencies
Select linked tasks → Task → Unlink Tasks.
Lab 2 – Network Diagram View
1. Open Network Diagram View: View → Network Diagram.
2. Add Task: Right-click empty space → Add Task → Type name & duration.
3. Delete Task: Click task box → Press Delete.
4. Add Dependency: Hover over red dot on predecessor → Drag to left edge of successor →
Release.
5. Edit Dependency: Double-click arrow → Change type (FS, SS, etc.) or add lag/lead.
6. Delete Dependency: Click arrow → Press Delete.
7. Format Task Boxes: Format tab → Box Styles → Select category → Change color/shape/font.
8. Format Individual Box: Right-click task → Format Box → Adjust fill/border/font.
9. Format Layout & Lines: Format tab → Layout → Adjust spacing, link style, arrow type.
10. Show Early/Late Dates & Slack: View → More Views → Detail Gantt OR Insert Column (Early
Start, Late Start, Total Slack).
Lab 2 – Constraints, Deadlines & Notes
1. Assigning Constraints: Double-click task → Advanced tab → Choose Constraint Type & Date
→ OK.
2. Setting a Deadline: Double-click task → Advanced tab → Pick Deadline date → OK (green
arrow appears).
3. Adding Task Notes: Double-click task → Notes tab → Type notes → OK (note icon appears).
4. Completed Schedule Checklist:
• All tasks have start & finish dates.
• All dependencies correctly linked.
• Constraints & deadlines verified.
• Resources assigned if required.
• No unresolved overallocations.
• Critical Path reviewed.