MS Project: Using Progress Lines

Name: MS Project: Using Progress Lines
Author: Elissa Smith

How to set up progress lines to track project deadlines.

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Course: On-Demand

Hello, in this lesson, we want to explore a graphical feature inside a project called the Progress Line that can be used to help us keep track of the status as to whether or not project tasks or deliverables are scheduling on time. The first thing we need to do before we turn on progress lines is check the current date of our project file. It's important to remember that generally, the current date of your project will be the default of your computer. To check this, we're gonna go up to your Project ribbon, and come over to the Properties group, and go into the Project Information box. On the right-hand side of the Project Information box, we'll see a field called Current date. Usually, this coincides again with the date of your computer. But if you want to change it, you can. And here, you can see what our current date is set to. Then, to turn on progress lines, we're gonna come into the Gantt chart, and right-click and come down to Progress Lines. Now, before a progress line is turned on, you have to decide the type of progress line that you would like. For us, we're gonna come right here and select Current progress line and then Display. And then again, we have two choices. Right now, we're going to select the Current date, which means that our progress line will be triggered on the current date that is currently again shown in the Project Information box. When we click on OK, we're going to see a red line appear inside of our project. Now, what this is showing us is that anywhere where this line is vertical, it means that tasks are occurring on time, or deliverables are happening when they need to. However, any spike to the left means that a task is behind schedule. And again, progress lines are only as good as the date that they occur on. To turn the progress line off, all we need to do is right-click anywhere, go back down to Progress Lines, and just uncheck the Display field, and the progress line will turn off. Thanks so much for watching. In the next lesson, we're going to explore creating our own customized progress line.

Advanced Provider : Elissa Smith 3 Lessons · 6m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

Effective project management involves keeping track of multiple critical dates, especially when the project is ongoing or long-term. In this advanced MS Project course, you’ll learn a helpful tool: how to set up progress lines. This function allows you to set up different types of progress lines based on your critical dates, including recurring ones and custom ones, to help you keep track of all your important project deadlines.

What You'll Learn

Understand the different types of progress lines and how each one is used
Set up a progress line from the project's current date
Create a progress line based on a status date
Configure recurring progress lines to track multiple critical dates
Customize custom recurring progress lines to track important project deadlines
Use custom progress lines to help complete a project by its deadline

Key Takeaways

Effective project management involves keeping track of multiple critical dates, especially when a project is ongoing or long-term.
Progress lines in MS Project can be set up based on critical dates, including recurring and custom ones.
Progress lines help you keep track of all your important project deadlines.
Custom progress lines can help you complete your project by the deadline.
This is an advanced MS Project course focused on the progress lines tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this MS Project course?

You will learn how to set up progress lines in MS Project, including how to create a progress line from the project current date, a progress line based on a status date, and how to customize custom recurring progress lines.

Who is this course for?

This is an advanced MS Project course for people managing ongoing or long-term projects who need to keep track of multiple critical dates and important project deadlines.

What are progress lines used for?

Progress lines let you track your critical dates, including recurring and custom ones, to help you keep track of all your important project deadlines and complete your project by the deadline.

What skills does this course cover?

The course covers skills including implementing projects, progress monitoring, project controls, project cycle management, project management, and project method.

What lessons are included in this course?

The course includes lessons on creating a progress line from the project current date, a progress line based on a status date, and customizing custom recurring progress lines.