Microsoft Project Proficiency

 

In Week 2, you began creating a project plan in Microsoft Project. By now, you should have an idea about your level of comfort in using this software. You have most likely discovered some helpful techniques and may also have an idea of areas in which you could use help. Both your newfound skills and your areas of concern are valuable insights that could assist your colleagues.

 

In this Discussion, you assess your first experiences using Microsoft Project and exchange tips with your colleagues.

 

To prepare:

 

• Think about your initial comfort level in using Microsoft Project. What difficulties did you have? How were you able to move past them?
• Consider new techniques or skills you have developed through your initial use of Microsoft Project.
• Consider which of these skills or techniques might be useful to your colleagues.
• Reflect on any areas of Microsoft Project in which you could use help.

 

Post by tomorrow 9/13/16 550 words in APA format. Cite at least 2 references and include the level 1 headings as numbered below:

 

1) An assessment of your level of comfort in using Microsoft Project.

 

2) Describe a technique or tip you learned through your initial experience with Microsoft Project that might be useful to your colleagues.

 

3) Specify an area in which you could use help

 

 

 

Required Readings

 

 

 

Biafore, B. (2010). Microsoft Project 2010: The missing manual. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly.

 

• Chapter 2, “Planning a Project” (pp. 39–57)

 

 This chapter supplies a brief introduction on project planning. The chapter describes the contents of a project plan along with the process of creating relevant documents.

 

 

 

Coplan, S., & Masuda, D. (2011). Project management for healthcare information technology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

 

• Chapter 5, “Change Management” (pp. 193–237)

 

 In this chapter, the authors review change management knowledge areas. The authors describe a variety of analysis methods applicable to change management processes and outputs.

 

Project Management Institute. (2013). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide) (5th ed.). Newtown Square, PA: Author.

 

• Chapter 3, “Project Management Processes” (pp. 47–61)

 

 This chapter supplies information on managing a project that uses networked processes. The chapter describes project management processes related to each phase of a project.

 

 

 

Campbell, R. J. (2008). Change management in health care. The Health Care Manager, 27(1), 23–39. 

 

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 

 In this article, the author highlights the work of two leaders in the field of change management. The author demonstrates how the work of these leaders can be applied to health care organizations.

 

 

 

Merrell, P. (2012). Effective change management: The simple truth. Management Services, 56(2), 20–23. 

 

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 

 In this article, the author provides six steps for effective change management. The author also supplies supplementary information on the importance of learning activities, measuring success, and managing change management strategies.

 

 

 

Required Media

 

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Establishing a team [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

 

 

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes.

 

 In this video, Dr. Mimi Hassett discusses important considerations when assembling a project team, such as who to include and whom to consult. She talks about how project size, goals, and timelines can impact those decisions, and she also offers examples of how to keep enthusiasm for a project moving forward as the challenges toward completion arise.

 

 

 

 

 

Schifalacqua, M., Costello, C., & Denman, W. (2009). Roadmap for planned change, part 1: Change leadership and project management. Nurse Leader, 7(2), 26–29. 

 

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 

 In this article, the authors explore the essential elements of change theory and project management. The article details many tools and concepts that assist in managing and planning change at various scales.

 

 

 

 

 

Microsoft Corporation. (2012). Getting started: Introduction to project management. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/getting-started-introduction-to-project-management-HA010359477.aspx?CTT=3

 

 Review this web page, which provides an overview of basic project management concepts. It also provides links to other pages which demonstrate how to apply the aforementioned concepts in Microsoft Project 2010.