Hi,

first Blog Post in new 2014 year. I’ve been asked about some recommendations about additional setup in MS PROJECT 2013

There is a lot of setup which you can do in MS PROJECT 2013. You can set up Calendars, working time, exception time, etc. I’ll show you some additional setups available in MS Project, and I am going to explain them.

First one is to put Project information when you open a ¸new Project. To set up that you show follow this steps:

then:

and then:

Now, when you create a brand new Project you will get this:

so you can put Project Information as Start or Finish date, Default Calendar here! It is good practice to turn this option on.

It is good practice to have these two options turned on, as well:

Edits to start and finish dates will show you follow if you change, for example, Start date:

and you’ll get:

so you can choose will you make a semi flexible constraint to the Task or not.

From my Point of view, Deletion in Name columns is very useful.  If it is turned of, when you are in the name Column, and you hit delete key you will get:

this:

As you can see, the name is gone! Very often I mean to delete the Task, but I am not at the right place with my cursor (on the Task number on the far left side of the screen). Whit this option turned on, when I hit Delete key on the Task Name, I’ll get:

and when I click on this sign I’ll get:

So I can choose between Task Name or whole Task deletion.

By default you can add new Resource directly through assignment field like this:

and when you hit Enter, it will be in Resource sheet:

With that you can easily forget to put Standard Rate, Overtime Rate, etc. 

But, if you turn this option off:

when you add new Resource through assignment field:

and when you hit the Enter key you will get:

So, you’ll get warning Message this Resource is not defined, and that you will have to make some adjustments (Calendars, Pay Rates) in Resource sheet.

And remember. Those recommendations are mine! You should choose your own setup options for your Projects.

Regards!