NURS 6441: Project Management: Healthcare Information Technology | Week 3

To be most effective at any task, you need the proper tools. Just as expert craftspeople seek the best tools for their trade, project managers seek the best project planning software. Microsoft Project, which was introduced last week, is one of the preeminent project planning applications on the market. Using a program such as this streamlines the planning and tracking of a project and allows you to focus your time on implementation. By gaining a working knowledge of Microsoft Project, you increase your ability to make a valuable contribution to your organization in your role as a nurse informaticist.

This week, you assess your initial proficiency in Microsoft Project.

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Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Assess personal proficiency in Microsoft Project
• Generate a project plan using Microsoft Project

Learning Resources – NURS 6441: Project Management: Healthcare Information Technology 

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Biafore, B. (2010). Microsoft Project 2010: The missing manual. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly.

• Chapter 3, “Taking Microsoft Project for a Test Drive” (pp. 59–76)In this chapter, the author explores the key features of Microsoft Project 2010 and provides a sample case that gives an overview of the process of creating a working schedule.

Project 2010 articles. (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2013, from http://www.dotnetheaven.com/category/office-2010/project-2010

This website provides a listing of Microsoft Project 2010 tutorials.

Microsoft Corporation. (2012a). Getting started: Introduction to project management. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/getting-started-introduction-to-project-management-HA010359477.aspx?CTT=3

Review this web page, which provides an overview of basic project management concepts. It also provides links to other pages which demonstrate how to apply the aforementioned concepts in Microsoft Project 2010.

Microsoft Corporation. (2012b). Getting started: Microsoft Project basics. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/getting-started-microsoft-project-basics-HA010355887.aspx?CTT=3

This web page provides guidelines on how to perform basic project management tasks in Microsoft Project 2010. It also provides links to help connect with other Microsoft Project users.

Microsoft Corporation. (2012d). Project management quick reference guide for Project 2010. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/project-management-quick-reference-guide-for-project-2010-HA010377305.aspx

This web page summarizes the project management process. The website demonstrates how to complete each part of the process in Microsoft Project 2010.

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Discussion: Microsoft Project Proficiency

In Week 2, you began creating a project plan in Microsoft Project. By now, you should have an idea about your level of comfort in using this software. You have most likely discovered some helpful techniques and may also have an idea of areas in which you could use help. Both your newfound skills and your areas of concern are valuable insights that could assist your colleagues.

In this Discussion, you assess your first experiences using Microsoft Project and exchange tips with your colleagues.

To prepare:

• Think about your initial comfort level in using Microsoft Project. What difficulties did you have? How were you able to move past them?
• Consider new techniques or skills you have developed through your initial use of Microsoft Project.
• Consider which of these skills or techniques might be useful to your colleagues.
• Reflect on any areas of Microsoft Project in which you could use help.

By Day 3

Post an assessment of your level of comfort in using Microsoft Project. Describe a technique or tip you learned through your initial experience with Microsoft Project that might be useful to your colleagues. Specify an area in which you could use help.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days, using one or more of the following approaches:

• Provide recommendations or advice to a colleague who has requested help in a specific area.
• Share how a colleague’s posting assisted you in becoming more proficient with Microsoft Project.
• Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research. NURS 6441: Project Management: Healthcare Information Technology .