Project Server 2003 Overview, a Three Day Class
April 3 to 7, Minneapolis Minnesota
Do you need to:
- Get up to speed quickly?
- Provide an evaluation for your company?
- Provide a Pilot Project?
- Provide an executive summary for your leadership, including strengths and weaknesses?
- Organize an implementation project, and aren't sure how to get started?
Who should attend?
- Members of project teams responsible for implementing Project Server 2003.
- PMO personnel who are going to use Project Server 2003 as an Enterprise Project Management tool.
- IT executives responsible for project management tools and methods
- Anyone tasked with evaluating Enterprise Project Management tools and technologies.
What you will get
- A firm understanding of project management principles and best practices as they relate to MS Project Server 2003.
- A firm understanding of MS Project Server 2003 architecture, strengths, and weaknesses.
- A preliminary plan for implementation
- Preliminary project documents to guide an implementation or evaluation project
- A useable 'image' of MS Project Server 2003 to use for evaluation purposes.
DAY 1: Understanding Project Server and its Role in the Enterprise
Module 1: Introduction to MS Project Server 2003
Microsoft Project 2003 is a special purpose software suite. It is designed to make project teams more successful by providing collaboration and management services throughout the project management process. In order to fully understand what MS Project Server 2003 is and how it works, it is vital to first understand formal project management concepts. Key topics include:
- What is the role of Microsoft Project Server 2003 in Microsoft’s architecture?
- What is the key to successful project management and how does Project Server 2003 help get you there?
- Lab: Understanding PMO workflow
Module 2: Understanding MS Project Server 2003 Components
In this module, we will discuss the design concepts of a Microsoft Project Server 2003 implementation. A clear understanding of the project management concepts in Module 1 in addition to an understanding of the Microsoft Project Server 2003 architecture will provide a solid framework that places the administrator in command of the MS Project Server 2003 environment. Key topics include:
- What are the weaknesses and strengths of Project Server 2003?
- Why is Project Server 2003 different from other Microsoft Tools?
- Lab: Writing a project charter for MS Project Server 2003 implementation
Module 3: Integrating Project Management Workflow into the Microsoft Architecture
In order to receive the maximum benefit from Project Server 2003, the system administrator and the project managers must work together. This means that key administration tasks must be mapped into the project management process itself. This provides clear communication and helps prevent human error in administering enterprise project management. This module will help the administrator understand the key hand-off points in the project management workflow, where the project manager will need to update MS Project 2003. Key topics include:
- What are the roles of the Project Manager and the System Administrator?
- How do we know if our Project Server 2003 implementation is successful?
- How MS Project Server 2003 improves a project’s chances of success
- How to use Project Server 2003 to manage “Enterprise” milestones, phases, and artifacts
- How to use Project Server 2003 to manage collaboration and communication
- Lab: Writing a project communication plan
DAY 2: Deployment and Configuration Planning
Module 4: Installing Microsoft Project Server 2003
After a thorough knowledge of Microsoft Project Server 2003’s organization and logic has been obtained, we will examine the key factors in a successful implementation. These topics include:
- Readiness assessment
- System requirements
- Installation planning, process, and execution
- Lab: Creating the Deployment Plan
Module 5: Configuration
Configuration of Microsoft Project Server 2003 requires a collaboration between the system administrators and the project managers. The resulting configuration will speak the ‘native language’ of the project manager while providing clear and measurable administration processes for the administrator. Topics include:
- How to use Project Server 2003 to manage project initiation and organization
- How to use Project Server 2003 to manage program management and organization
- How to use Project Server 2003 to manage portfolio management and organization
- Lab: Creating a sample project to deploy MS Project Server 2003
Module 6: MS Project Integration
In order to work effectively, MS Project Server 2003 requires MS Project be integrated as a client-side interface for the project managers. This module will explain how this integration works, how it is set up, and what its strengths and limitations are. Key topics include:
- MS Project connectivity
- MS Project dependencies with MS Project Server 2003
- Balancing Freedom and Control
- Lab: MS Project connectivity and synchronization
DAY 3: The Project Server 2003 Driven PMO
Module 7: Project Initiation and Server Administration
MS Project Server 2003 represents a tool for collaboration between the Project Manager, Project Team, and System Administrator. This module will determine who is responsible for which aspect of MS Project Server 2003 operations. Topics include:
- Using Project Server 2003 to control Project Initiation.
- Using Project Server 2003 to control Project workflow
- Data stewardship and ownership
- Lab: Workflow checkpoints for project initiation
Module 8: Project Coordination and Reporting
The three most important aspects of successful project management are communication, communication, and communication. Above all, MS Project Server 2003 is a collaboration and communication tool for the project team. This module discovers how to implement a formal project communication plan into MS Project Server 2003. Topics include:
- Identifying the communication objectives
- Using Project Server 2003 to execute the project communication plan
- Lab: Configuring and using MS Project Server 2003 to execute the communication plan
Module 9: Security and Privacy
Microsoft Project Server 2003 provides tools and services to prevent the accidental distribution of alteration of information. This module will explore those capabilities. Topics include:
- Overview of MS Project Server 2003 Security Architecture
- Implementing and validating security and privacy controls
- Regulatory compliance issues
- Lab: Establish security for the team