Learning Microsoft Project will not only improve your career prospects, but will make you a more efficient manager.
Let's face it; in today's turbulent economy and employment field you need to keep a keen competitive edge in your field as well as be able to multi-task and work under high pressure. There is always someone,
usually younger and faster, who is ready and willing to work more hours for less pay, which is why you need to prove your worth to current and prospective employers.
One way to do this is by improving your computer skills, specifically with useful and popular program such as Microsoft Project. Not only will mastering this software provide you with valuable tools for managing projects, but it will also illustrate to employers your dedication to furthering your skills and your ability to learn new programs.
Although useful for a wide variety of professions, management will benefit the most from mastering this software. It is not only great for current or budding managers, but for small or startup entrepreneurs as well. The software has a variety of features that help you organize and track projects as well as make accurate estimates about output and workflow. Microsoft Project makes jobs run more smoothly and efficiently, which in turn will also reflect positively on your ability as a manager.
Most managers use all of the features included in this package, but rather than having it streamlined in a simple software program, rely on outdated methods of written paperwork of have files spread across multiple spreadsheets and software programs, making it difficult to quickly navigate between important, related information as well as allow easy access to information for other employees when necessary.
Microsoft Project can create regular budget reports to help track expenses and even employee wages when required. Work, meeting, and project schedules can similarly be managed carefully to avoid conflicts or wasting time. The estimation tools can help you gauge employee progress and help you deliver more accurate time predictions to clients or upper management.
By learning and utilizing all of the tools Microsoft Project has to offer, workloads will be more evenly and fairly distributed, which will increase productivity and overall happiness among staff. Upper management will be pleased with more precise estimates on the progress of projects, instant budget updates, and the ease at which you can supply necessary information. Every detail can be tracked and recorded instantly. This package doesn't only make managing easier, but it will make you a better manager.
Microsoft Project can seem daunting to learn at first due to its numerous features, which is why taking a training course is often the best option. Learning through manuals is possible, but can be time consuming and there will be many features of the software that won't be necessary for you to learn.
Working with an instructor can help you absorb only the most pertinent and most commonly used features quickly so you can start working with the program right away. The more difficult tasks can be left or learned later on as they become needed. Taking a training course in Microsoft Project will also provide you with a valuable, quantifiable skill to demonstrate to potential employers, especially if your background or profession does not involve heavy computer use.
