Microsoft Project is a tailor-made computer application that aids project management right from the planning stage to the implementation phase. In my view, Microsoft Project is an easy tool to use even for the first-timers. The application has carefully built fields which a user can read and interpret what is required. It is designed in tabular form where a user can enter data about the project and create interdependencies. In these fields, the user can easily create tasks, sub-tasks, and milestones. The application also has a column for predecessors where a user can indicate which activities are dependent on each other. That way, the application will automatically generate a critical path showing the sequence of stages and the total time needed to complete the project. Thus, it is easy for a user to guide of the best time for a slack using the critical path and this makes the application easy to use.
However, Microsoft Project is not a walk in the pack and cannot merely be generalized as being a simple tool to use. A user will only find it simple if he or she has some basic understanding of the software and understands the various terms and commands that come with the application (Dinsmore & Cabanis-Brewin, 2011). That is to say, Microsoft project is a hard application to the user for illiterate people on the project and an easy one for those with a minimum understanding of the application.
Microsoft Project is an important application but is not devoid of challenges. To begin with, I foresee that it will be difficult for students to distinctively develop a work breakdown structure while using the application. It takes efforts, and in-depth understanding of the various commands for one to successfully show which staff in the project will undertake certain duties and at what time. It also takes creativity to share work duties and responsibilities to the staff. Therefore, I anticipate that having learners develop a work breakdown schedule that does not mix up job duties and which does not omit any tasks in the project will be a challenge.
Additionally, I foresee difficulties in determining a critical path for any given project and subsequently indicating various slacks. A critical path must be the simplest route that the project will take without compromising any other factors and at the same time having all the activities covered. In the critical path, some activities, and which are mutually exclusive, can be performed concurrently and must be shown on the critical path diagram. Having a workable critical path, therefore, takes efforts and calculations of time. Subsequently, determining a true slack in the project where any delays will not cause problems in the project is also a challenge as it takes not only observation but also mathematical calculations. During the course, students will likely experience problems coming up with a critical path and identifying slack.
Microsoft Project is an important tool for managing and tracking the schedule of a project. Unlike other Microsoft Office applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access, Microsoft Project helps the user input project data and generate interdependencies of various project stages, work breakdown structure, and a budget. In Microsoft Word, for instance, a user can only write a description of a project and manually draw a project schedule. In Spreadsheets, a user can only generate a budget for the project. Therefore, Microsoft Project application entails all prerequisite activities under one roof in such a way that a user does not need to switch from one application to another searching for a specific service. In other application, they can offer one or two services needed in project management and even then, they can only be done manually. Thus, Microsoft Project is the best tool for managing projects.
Reference
Dinsmore, P. C., & Cabanis-Brewin, J. (2011). The AMA handbook of project management. New York, NY: American Management Association.
