Many managers use Microsoft Project 2000 because it is a helpful project management tool. But while its collaboration and tracking tools are solid advancements in management software, Project 2000’s depth and multiple data fields can make it cumbersome to use.

To help managers navigate Project 2000, TechRepublic columnist and Microsoft Project guru Brian Kennemer has created a spreadsheet that organizes one of Project’s tricky data fields.

Kennemer’s Microsoft Project 2000 value database converter offers managers a way to get a grip on Project’s Work, Duration, and Cost data fields. Kennemer also shows how these fields work together. The instructions and spreadsheet are included in a download.

Try this example: In Project 2000, a task that requires 200 hours, 10.5 days (given an eight-hour day), and costs $12,500.50, becomes the following:

  • Work is 12,000,000 (200 * 60 * 1,000).
  • Duration is 50,400 (84 * 60 * 10) [(10.5 * 8 = 84)].
  • Cost is 1,250,050 ($12,500.50 * 100).

Kennemer’s converter changes the original, known values of 200, 10.5, and $12,500.50 into values that can be recognized by Project.

With the converter, there is no need to break out the calculator or a pencil and notebook to work out the conversions.

Want more Project help?

Be sure to check out Kennemer’s article archive section on TechRepublic for more Project tutorials and downloads.