Week 5 - Visio Project Schedules

For this week, we’re going to explore the relationship between Vision and Project (Chapter 5).  It’s basically this - Vision can read project files and create Gantt charts or Timeline diagrams.  Visio diagrams are grouped by category and these options fall under the Project Schedule option.  I think the Gantt chart option has limited value because Project is a much better tool for it.  However, the Timeline option gives you another way to represent you data that is not found in MS Project.

Try both options using the Project Plan starting point from Chapter 6.  Note the tabs within the main toolbar in Visio.  Some drawing types will cause a new tab to be displayed.  For example, choosing“Project Schedule – Timeline” causes the new tab “Timeline” to appear.  We see this with many other Visio choices.

This week, you will create 3 Visio diagrams from the Project Schedule category.

1) Creating a Gantt from a MS Project Plan
2) Creating a Timeline from a MS Project Plan
3) Create a new Timeline from the follow specifications

Please post your completed 3 assignments in discussion group for week 5.

Assignment 1: Creating a Gantt from a MS Project Plan

  • Import function (GanttChart – Import)
  • Choose MS Project file
  • Browse for the Commercial_Project_6.mpp file you downloaded and saved
  • Choose the following options:
    • All tasks
    • Default choices

Final:

Assignment 2: Creating a Timeline from a MS Project Plan

  • Import function (Timeline – Import Timeline Data)
  • Browse for the Commercial_Project_6.mpp file you downloaded and saved
  • Choose the following options:
    • Top Level tasks and milestones
    • Block timeline and interval
    • Diamond milestone

Final:

Assignment 3: Creating a New Timeline

  • New Project Schedule – Timeline
  • Cylindrical timeline, intervals and milestones
  • Include the title “Spring Garden” as a text box
  • Include the “Show finished arrow” on the timeline (Right-click menu choice)

Timeline data:
Spring Garden Timeline Intervals

  • Plan for Spring Garden 4/1/2008 ‐ 4/14/2008
  • Buy Gardening Supplies 4/14/2008 ‐ 5/10/2008
  • Plant the Garden 5/10/2008 ‐ 5/31/2008

Milestones

  • Plan Finished 4/14/2008
  • All Products Purchased 5/10/2008

Final: