Primavera P6 Basics Training

Thursday, April 13th, 2023

Thursday, April 27th, 2023

Thursday, May 11th, 2023

General Navigation

This lesson focuses on the default P6 interface and how to navigate it. We explore the Activities, Projects, and WBS pages, and cover the Title Bar, Menu Bar, toolbars, tables, Gantt Charts and details sections. We also look at making adjustments to the default view by turning toolbars on-and-off, resizing the table, Gantt Chart, and detail sections.

Enterprise Project Structure

This lesson focuses on creating the Enterprise Project Structure, or the EPS, which is a hierarchical structure that can be used to categorize an organization’s projects. Here, we look at how the EPS presents itself on the project page and practice adding new layers to the existing EPS hierarchy.

Creating a Project

This lesson focuses on adding new projects to the P6 database using the EPS created in the previous lesson. We go over using the New Project Wizard to adjust project metadata and create a project. Then, we look at how to use the Projects page and the details section to adjust that metadata as project parameters change.

Opening and Closing Projects

This lesson will look at the different ways of opening and closing projects. We look at opening multiple projects simultaneously and adjusting the access mode, allowing for collaboration with team members. We also look at how to close multiple projects once you’re finished to allow other users access to the updated project.

Calendars

This lesson goes over creating new calendars at the Global, Project, or Resource specific levels. Calendars will determine the workable time frame for the project. While creating a new Project specific calendar, we look at setting the standard work week, adding holidays and exceptions as non-work times, and adjusting the related time periods. Once created, we look at setting the new calendar as the default calendar for the project so all added activities will automatically use it.

Work Breakdown Structure

This lesson focuses on creating the Work Breakdown Structure, or the WBS. The WBS is a categorical hierarchy that allows you to organize your project’s activities in different phases, stages, or levels. On the WBS screen, we practice creating new WBS layers and moving those layers around in the hierarchy. Once completed, the WBS gives us an outline that we can place on the Activities screen, which will aid in adding activities to the project.

Layouts

This lesson focuses on using and creating layouts, which are unique interface configurations that allow you to adjust how data is displayed in P6. Here, we look at creating new layout configurations by adjusting the columns, grouping and sorting, and filters within the Activity Table, the activity bars and timescale within the Gantt chart, and the tabs within the Activity Details section. Once created, we go over saving a layout and switching from one layout to another to quickly adjust the current Activities page view.

Adding Activities

This lesson explores the different ways that activities can be added to the project. We first look at creating activities through the New Activity Wizard, which walks you through adjusting activity metadata. Then, we look at creating activities manually, and using the associated columns and details section to add further specifications for each added activity.

Renumbering Activity IDs

This lesson focuses on some tips and tricks for quickly adjusting activity information for created activities. Specifically, we look at the Renumbering Activity IDs option, which allows you to adjust the IDs of several activities simultaneously. We also go over moving an activity from one WBS layer to another and using the Fill Down tool, which allows you to “fill” data down from one activity to other selected activities.

Creating Activity Codes

This lesson teaches how to create activity codes, which are custom attributes that can be added to activities to classify and categorize them together. Using the Enterprise menu, we focus on creating new activity codes and activity code values. Once created, we look at how to assign activity code values to activities and use those assigned codes to group, sort, and filter data.

Adding Logic

This lesson focuses on tying activities together with relationships, or logic. Adding relationships to activities allows you to determine the sequence in which each activity will be performed and their connections with each other. Following the Critical Path Method of scheduling, we cover adding predecessors and successors to activities, adjusting relationship types, and using the schedule tool to place them all within the project’s timeline.

Relationship Types and Lag

This lesson covers what the Critical Path Method of scheduling is and how it works to assign start and finish dates for each activity. We focus on how the estimated early and late dates can be used to calculate total float. This lesson also covers the use of constraints, the effect of negative float and how to mitigate it by adjusting relationship types, and how to use both negative and positive lag with linked activities.

Schedule Errors (Loops & Lag)

This lesson focuses on how to account for and fix scheduling errors, such as loops in logic or missed activity relationships. We use the Schedule Log to identify schedule errors and correct them as needed.

Creating Resources

This lesson covers creating labor, nonlabor, and material resources that can be assigned to activities to create a cost-loaded schedule. Using the Resources screen, we go over creating new resources, adjusting resource data using the details section, and creating and assigning Roles, which can be used as placeholders for resources later on.

Assigning Resources

This lesson goes over assigning resources to activities and tracking their costs and units using the Budgeted Total Cost and Budgeted Labor Units columns. We also look at assigning roles and placeholders and staffing those roles with resources as the project progresses.

Expenses

This lesson focuses on Expenses, which are one-time Project specific costs that can be used to load the schedule. We look at creating and assigning Expenses two different ways: using the details section on the Activities page to add expenses individually and using the Project Expenses page to add lists of expenses at once.

Analyzing Resources and Costs

This lesson focuses on analyzing unit, cost, and resource usage within the project. We look at the Activity Usage Spreadsheet and Activity Usage Profile to view cost and unit data over the project’s timeline. Using the Resource Usage Profile, we also go over tracking resource usage over time to ensure that the assigned resources are not over or under allocated at any point in the project.

Baselines

This lesson teaches how to create a Baseline to save a copy of the project schedule at its current point in time. Baselines can be used later on to track and compare project updates to ensure that the project is running on time and within budget. We cover using the Maintain Baselines window to create new baselines, adjust baseline data, and restore previous baselines if needed later on.

Progressing Schedule

This lesson focuses on performing status updates to progress the schedule once the actual project has begun. We look at using the Progress Spotlight tool to view specific activities that need to be updated on both the activity table and the Gantt Chart. Once identified, we look at updating activity statuses using the Status tab of the details section to mark whether the activity has started, whether it has finished, or whether it is in progress with a remaining duration.

Baseline Comparison

This lesson covers comparing the planned dates and durations from the original baseline with the actual dates and durations from the current schedule. We cover how to assign baselines using the Assign Baseline window and view both baseline and actual schedule data from the activity table and the Gantt Chart.

Exporting

At this point, we have a completed project file, and this lesson covers exporting the P6 project file to share with other users and scheduling applications. Using the Export window, we look at exporting different project data to a variety of different file types, such as Primavera P6 XER, Primavera EPPM XML, and Microsoft Project XML. Additionally, this lesson covers importing projects into the P6 database from other applications.

Print Settings

Often, contracts require you to print project information, and this lesson looks at how to print project schedules. Focusing on the Print Preview, Print Setup, and Page Setup windows, we go over viewing and adjusting project data to ensure that the printed copy only includes the needed information.

Reports

To finish up the course, this lesson focuses on creating and running Global or Project specific reports. Reports are tabular, lean, non-graphical displays of data that can be customized to display only the needed project information. Here, we use the Reports window and the New Report Wizard to create a custom report, save it to the database, and run it on the open project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a virtual training course?
A virtual training course is a training that is conducted over a Zoom conference call. Users are able to watch and listen to the instructor as they work through the program. After each lesson is an activity, in which the attendees can get hands-on practice within the program. Students can communicate with the instructor throughout the training via their microphone, sharing their screen, or using Zoom’s chat function.

How long is the training course?
This is a 1 day course, with a duration of 8 hours at the most. Some courses may run shorter, depending on attendee’s needs.

What time is the training course?
Our open enrollment courses are scheduled from 8am – 4pm, PST. Private courses can be tailored to times that work for both the trainer and the attendees.

Are there any breaks throughout the training?
Yes, standard courses have several breaks scheduled throughout: a fifteen minute break in the morning, an hour-long lunch break at noon, and a fifteen minute break in the afternoon. Additional breaks can be added to the course as needed.

Do I need to have Primavera P6 Professional installed on my computer for this training?
No. This course is conducted within Taradigm’s training environment via remote desktop connection, so there is no need to have P6 installed on your computer. 

Do I need a webcam or a microphone?
No. For this course, we keep webcams off. Microphones are recommended but not required – if you do not have a microphone, you can still communicate with the instructor using the chat function in Zoom.

Can I share my screen with my instructor?
Absolutely! We often utilize screen sharing to assist with walkthroughs and perform any troubleshooting.

Can I ask the instructor questions during the training?
Absolutely! This is an interactive, hands-on course, and students are encouraged to ask as many questions as needed throughout the course.

Will I receive any additional resources after the course is finished?
Yes, the instructor will provide attendees with a Primavera P6 training manual that reviews the topics covered in the course. Additionally, the instructor will be available to answer any follow-up questions via email as needed.

Does the course include a certificate?
Yes. Attendees will receive a certificate upon completion of training.

Can I book a private course for my organization? Or a private, 1-on-1 course?
Yes, please feel free to contact us here to discuss.