Project Learning Newsletter

www.projectlearning.net

Volume 3, No.3

 
Dear Andy,

Welcome to the second of our new-look Project Learning newsletters.  Judging by the comments we received about our last newsletter, the new format and content has been very well received.  We'll look to improve on this for future newsletters, with even more stimulating and interesting information.

Instead of telling you what we've been up to at Project Learning, we'd like to lead this newsletter by informing you about new and exciting happenings in the wider Microsoft Project world. Please see the MPA section below to find out more about the Official Industry Association for Microsoft Office Project and how you can join this worldwide body of Microsoft Project users.

Also this month, tips and tricks are back after a short break.  Unlike previous tips and tricks that focus on Microsoft Project, the ones this month explain the background project management disciplines that underpin Microsoft Project (and indeed all project management tools).  You can also find this month's tips and tricks in the latest version of Project Companion, which you can download for free by following the link later in this newsletter.

Lastly, another thank you to all those who participated in our recent Project Management Survey.  The winners of the survey draw, together with the survey's findings, can be found near this newsletter's base.

Sincerely,

Andy Jessop
CEO and Founder

PS - As promised - tips and tricks are back this month!

In this newsletter:

MPA
As many of you are aware, Project Learning is both a member and a local sponsor of the official Microsoft Project User Group (MPUG). Over the years MPUG has grown to be much more than just a user community. With many thousands of members worldwide, it has evolved into the official industry association for Microsoft Project. As such the association has undergone a major rebranding exercise and is now known as MPA - the Official Industry Association for Microsoft Office Project.

If you follow the link below, a new page will open up, outlining the new features and benefits provided by the association. Furthermore, there is also the opportunity to win one of five full copies of Microsoft Project Professional. Good luck...

http://www.projectlearning.net/newsletters/MPA_Launch_Announcement.htm

Technical Tips and Tricks
How many of us have tried to create a programme of interrelated projects?  Then, how many of us have attempted to share resources across these projects to see where inter-project resource conflicts exist. Tricky, isn’t it?  Before you try to create a programme containing master projects and subprojects, it is important to understand the nature of programmes and how tasks (and hence resource work) is scheduled across a programme.

If you click on the link below, these tips and tricks illustrate the background to programmes of work and illustrate how a programme can be effectively created within a Microsoft Project environment.

http://www.projectlearning.net/newsletters_tipstricks.htm

Project Companion 4.0 - Reminder to upgrade
If you haven't upgraded already, may we remind you that Project Companion 4.0 is available as a free upgrade.  Within version 4, you'll find additional content and improved functionality; in line with its parent product Project Mentor.

In addition, you may have received security warnings if you have used version Companion 3.x within Microsoft Windows XP service pack 2.  This is because XPSP2 checks for the use of program scripts - as found within virtually any software that uses Internet Explorer.  Project Companion 4.0 has been re-scripted so you'll receive no security warnings.  Rest assured that the scripts within Companion 3.x will cause no harm to your computer.

The key reasons to upgrade are:

  • Reference content increased by 20%
  • Terminology definitions also increased by 20%
  • Easier to use and a greatly-improved look and feel.
  • Enhanced integration with the Windows XPSP2 security regime.

To upgrade to Project Companion 4.0, just go to:

http://www.projectlearning.net/project_companion_v4_upgrade.htm

Winners from the Project Management Survey draw
Back in December we invited newsletter subscribers to share their project management and Microsoft Project experiences with us.  With a final tally of over 300 responses, we'd like to repeat our thanks to all who took part.  The lucky winner of the Project Management Survey draw is:
  • Chris Hughes - UK.  Chris will receive a full copy of Project Mentor with the compliments of Project Learning.

The five runners up are:

  • Richard Mowbray - Italy
  • Ariana P - New Zealand
  • Jobair - Bangladesh
  • Richard Marshall - UK
  • James Hel - UK

Each of them will receive a $20 / £20 Amazon voucher with the compliments of Project Learning.

For new subscribers who haven't seen the results of the survey, the key findings were:

  • 47% of people had between 5 and 20 years experience in project management.
  • 25% of respondents spent between half and three quarters of their working day involved in project management.
  • 67% of respondents used either Microsoft Project 2000, 2002 or 2003 Standard.

The full results can be viewed in the new survey section of our web site.

February prize draw winners
The five winners of the February draw of new newsletter subscribers are:
  • Ray Timms
  • Peter Millham - UK
  • Nancy Smee - USA
  • Lisa Alldred - Canada
  • Brendan Kelly - Australia

Each of them will receive a $10 / £10 Amazon voucher with the compliments of Project Learning.
If there is anything you would like us to cover or include in future newsletters, please complete this simple form.  While we can't promise anything, we'll certainly take a look at your suggestions.

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