Project 2013 Introduction

Lesson 3 – Working with Tasks

Project 2013

E XPLORING T ASKS

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Discussion

A project is made up of tasks. A task is an essential job or operation that should be finished in order to complete a project. Each task should have a deliverable. The deliverable might be a document, programming code or a check list. Most tasks are assigned a duration, which is the length of time it takes to complete a task. The Project Management Institute, www.PMI.org recommends using the 8-80 rule; no task will be less than 8 hours or greater than 80 hours. This makes training and earned values easier.

Tasks can occur in sequence, or they can stand alone. Microsoft Project uses the tasks along with their associated durations and relationships to determine the overall length of a project.

You can use the task sheet in the Gantt Chart view (the default view) to quickly create a task list. After creating tasks, you can edit, move, and delete them, as well as insert new tasks in the task list. You can create relationships between tasks that are dependent upon one another, enter milestone tasks, and create recurring tasks. In addition, you can filter tasks and apply constraints to them.

In many task views, including the Gantt Chart view, you will see an Indicator field. Indicators are icons that provide information about tasks. When you point to an indicator, a ScreenTip appears.

NOTE You can display the Gantt Chart view by selecting the View Ribbon and selecting the Gantt Chart button.

W ORKING WITH D URATIONS

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Discussion

When you enter a task in Microsoft Project, you can also enter the duration of the task. The duration is the time needed to complete that task. You can enter the duration as you enter each task name, or you can enter all the tasks and then enter the durations later.

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