[NickFitz]

Originally Posted by RichardCranium

MS Project is an incomplete abortion.

Micro$oft bought it wonkey donkey's years ago and still haven't got around to finishing it off, but that's a different answer to a different question.

Firstly, the first mistake people make with MS Project is assuming it is a project planning tool. It is not. It is a Gantt chart creation tool. And a Gantt chart serves no other purpose than to pacify management and con them into believing you are a real project manager.

The second mistake is to try to make use of resource levelling. That will consume the first three weeks of your project as you faff about trying to get MS Project to work properly again.

Examples of good practice? Just use it for high level activities and milestones - do NOT fall into the trap of thinking it will run the project for you. Only communication, risk management, communication, change control, communication, stakeholder management, communication, quality control and communication can do that. Oh, and communication.

I'm sorry if that is not the answer you wanted.

Yup, MS Project sucks donkey knobs.

(I'm sure you remind me of a talented and forthright PM who used to post somewhere... )