Help for beginners

[Brian Stebbins]

I started learning Microsoft Project for the very first time about 2 weeks
ago. I've now read every post on this newsgroup and I'm finding many
questions even a beginner like me can answer. However, I would have been
posting the same questions had I not read what I did.

I'm posting this as a general aid for learning MP, to learn what I have
all I did was read Microsoft's "Step by Step" for Project 2003. I found the
book wonderful. It's long but they didn't make it droll on. I learned
about all that MS Project could do through this book. It gave me a great
base to build from (still have a long way to go), and I highly recommend it
for any beginner. It's 4-500 pages so I forget a lot of what I read untill
I've actually DONE it in project a couple of times, but after only 2 weeks
I'm the new PM for my company.

So if you find yourself in want of MANY answers, go buy the book and work
through it on your free time. It took me about 35-40 hours to go through
all the exercises in the book, and it taught me a lot about project, and
dabbled in project server. The end of the book lists many other MS Project
resources as well... that's actually how I found this web-post. Anyways, I
hope this book will help out some beginners out there like me!! Happy
learning!!

(no reply necessary, however I'd like to hear if it helps anyone!!)

-Brian Stebbins

 

[Steve House]

Excellent Brian, welcome to the newsgroup. I concur completely. There are
several excellent books out there, along with a lot of drivel, and
Step-by-Step is certainly among the good ones. (Why some publishers think a
paraphrasing of the help files, not just for Project but it applies to all
desktop apps as well, constitutes a reference book is beyond me.) I use it
as courseware in some of my classes and recommend it along with the "Guide
to the PMBOK" to my students for self-study when the client prefers I use
other materials in class. As you've discovered, learning just the mechanics
of using the software doesn't cut it - there're a lot of PM principles to
understand as well and SBS is one of the few tutorials that even touches on
them.

 

[Jeff]

Brian,

I am very happy for you, really. But please don't tell me
you think you are now a Project Manager just becasue you
read a book in two weeks. This is a high insult to the
many PMP certified project managers who spent years to
become a PM. You claim is down right insulting to the
profession.

Jeff, PMP

 

[Steve House]

Sheesh Jeff - Brian is doing all the right things. Everyone has to start
somewhere and there are many project managers who are quite competant who
don't have any paper credentials specific to PM.

 

[Brian Stebbins]

First of all, I intended no offense what-so-ever. All I meant is that
Project Manager is my new job "title"... I am by NO MEANS fluent in the
workings of the software, and I am only handling 25 resources right now. I
positively KNOW there is no way I could handle what a PMP certified manager
such as yourself could. I wouldn't want to try. However, my company
Glasstech, does not utilize MsProject the way you do. For the depth to
which my company uses MsProject, what I learned from Step By Step, and from
playing with the program for 2 weeks is sufficient knowledge for me to
begin. I've already recieved advice from this newsgroup and find it
incredibly helpful because although I know enough to start, I remain a
fledgling.

Once again I apologize to Jeff and any others offended.... this was not my
intent, the only purpose of my comment was to ENCOURAGE people to learn as
much as they can about the program... I was trying to convey it's not only
fun, but lucrative. Step By Step was such a wonderful book, I've needed
very little assistance from my boss because it remains a great reference for
me. To re-itterate, I am NOT a certified PMP, but I DO manage my companies
projects for them and project manager is my technical "title". Yet, I
remain in the people dolling out advice on this server's shadow. In fact,
one post I put up to help someone recommended a recurring task. I was dead
wrong and promptly corrected by a TRUE professional. I THOUGHT I was right,
but didn't understand the problem correctly.

Sorry Jeff, and thank you for at least letting me know so I could remedy
this situation, I honestly had NO idea what I said could be taken as
insulting. Thank you for the information, as it was a shock to me to see
your post and the venom behind it... My hope is that this explanation will
smooth over the insult.

Hope all ends up well!! -Brian Stebbins

 

[Jeff]

I totally agree, a piece of paper means nothing. But
please, Brian said, and I quote: "but after only 2 weeks
I'm the new PM for my company."

Now that's a scary company to work for don't you think? I
am sure he meant somethign else, at least I hope so.

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for sharing your experiences and good luck in your quest to
understand Project. Please continue to ask for assisstance if you need it
and in turn, you will eventually be able to help others out with the benefit
of your experiences. That's how we all started!


Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Brian --

I do not believe you do not owe anyone in this newsgroup an apology. I
appreciated your thoughtful question and the good answer given to you by
Steve House. Our Microsoft Project newsgroups are forums for people of all
levels of experience with Microsoft Project, including everyone from newbies
to the most experienced users. In spite of this frustrating little
exchange, I trust you will continue to ask questions about Microsoft Project
here. Most of us will "bust our humps" to give you the right answer. Hope
this helps.

 

[Brian Stebbins]

Thank you both for your kind words, Dale Howard, Mike Glen, Steve House, and
Jan De Messemaeker all helped me bridge some of the gaps between the
software and reality. Before making any posts on this group I read every
entry that downloaded. I HIGHLY recommend this to any other begginners. I
saw problems I'd already had and many possible future problems that I can
now avoid because of you guys!! Thanks you all because I know you don't see
financial recompense for this... but you've made my life easier!!

-Brian Stebbins

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Brian --

You are defnitely "on a roll," my friend. Reading every newsgroup post is a
very good way to learn more about Microsoft Project, as well as to discover
some of the common problems user have with the software and the solutions to
those problems. Good luck!

 

[Jeff]

Brian,

You are a world class act, I appologise for being so
defensive. I wish you the best, and I am glad you are
doing well, keep up the good work and good luck.

Jeff