Real world projects are much more complex than manual scheduling can afford. This is not to downplay the importance of learning the basics of scheduling by performing the manual procedure we covered last week (and we shall revert to in the following weeks).

Project management software, such as MS Project, adds much capabilities and flexibilities which greatly benefit project managers, not only during the planning phase, but also as they monitor and control the progress in the execution phase. Please take the time to explore some of MS Project features and capabilities. A few points to guide you through such an exploratory journey:

• The default screen is split into two parts. The left part is primarily used to input project data, while the right part displays the output in the form of a Gantt chart.
• The Gantt chart is drawn automatically, and dynamically, as data is input in the left side of the screen
• Including the connecting arrows, the Gantt chart is drawn in the same way as a network diagram. The only difference is that, instead of square-shaped nodes, you see bars, the length of which is proportional to the estimated duration of the task.
• Unlike network diagrams, in MS Project, we input the entire WBS (minus the headbox: the project's title), and use indentations to distinguish among WBS levels.
• Although we input the entire WBS, we enter duration and cost info ONLY for the lowest level tasks (same as the ones you used in drawing network diagrams, manually).

For now, I would like you to generate an MS Project or ASANA, ProjectLibre, Click up or any other software that you feel more comfortable with. Enter your WBS with indentations, and populate the duration field, again, only for the lowest level tasks (patent tasks will be populated automatically). That will distort the schedule. Something we do not want to do at this learning stage. Post your file for the forum to review and offer your comments.

You can submit a screenshot of your attempted WBS under the submission link provided in week 8. Share your difficulties and thoughts