Microsoft Project templates allow organizations to create standard project models containing default information applicable to the organization. In particular, a calendar with the local public holidays should be created along with Views with redefined headers and footers to suit your organization. Therefore, to save time when you create a new project, you should generate your own templates to suit the different types of projects your organization undertakes.
A Microsoft Project template has a *.mpt format and is a better option than using the normal *.mpp because the Microsoft Project inbuilt template function copies the *.mpt template file and there is no risk of overwriting your template with project data.
Unfortunately, the Microsoft Project inbuilt template function is not available or obvious to a user until a directory is assigned to Microsoft Project in the Options, Save form to save your templates into.
A project template has been loaded on the Eastwood Harris web site at www.eh.com.au Software Downloads page that has a number of the issues with Microsoft Project defaults, other settings and formatting issues resolved. You should consider downloading this file, edit as required and save this as your template. The web site outlines all the changes made to this template project.
A default load of Microsoft Project does not allow templates to be used unless the user creates a Template Directory and this is not obvious. Thus, to use Microsoft Project templates the following steps should be followed
- Setting the Personal Template Directory
- Creating a Personal Template
- Creating a New Project from a Template
Eastwood Harris Learning Resources
Accelerate your understanding of scheduling software to advance your scheduling career and be able to prepare better schedules with Eastwood Harris books, training courses and online videos on the following software packages:
- Microsoft Project,
- Oracle Primavera P6 and
- Elecosoft (Asta) Powerproject
Online video training is available through Udemy through following these links:
Please follow these links:
- Eastwood Harris books and training materials are available here https://www.eh.com.au.
- Eastwood Harris inhouse, one-to-one and public training courses are offered through Primaskills Pty Ltd, more details here>>>>.
- Resources for Oracle Primavera P6 users such as third party software that works with P6 and technical papers on Primavera P6 at https://primavera.com.au/.
Paul E Harris
Director Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd
21 June 2024