Primavera P6

Exercise Worksheet
P6 Exercise Worksheet

Preparing for the Exercises

We Project Management Australia and International recommends that you download and install your
own standalone copy of Primavera P6 Professional for use with this course.

The following instructions will assist you in obtaining and installing your own Primavera P6 Professional
system:
Hardware Requirements

 Intel compatible CPU, 1 GHz or better

 4GB Memory or greater
 Microsoft Windows 7 Home, Professional or Ultimate. (Windows 8 not recommended)

Software Requirements

 Java 7 Update 15 runtime environment (JRE) or Software Developer Kit (JDK).

 Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (x86 and x64) – may already be installed on your system

Exercises

Introduction
These exercises are for use in support of the Project Management Australia and International
Primavera P6 Professional training course.

This worksheet provides you with exercises that will build a simple construction project schedule called
‘New Home Construction”.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|1
Important Note:
Some of the following exercises have a large number of data entry items. You DO NOT have to load all
the data in the exercise tables. Just enter some of the data, perhaps the first five rows to get some
practice, and then load the rest using the .XER project files that you downloaded at the start of this
course. Instructions for import project data from an XER file can be found at the back of this Exercise
Worksheet.

1 Introduction to P6
1.1 Exercise:
1. Using your own standalone copy of Primavera P6 Professional, familiarize yourself with the P6
interface. Access the main views such as the Projects view, WBS view and Activities view.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|2
2. Open and close some select sample projects using the right-click and/or File | Open menu
methods.

Right-click method
Select one or more projects and right-click to open them.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|3
3. File | Open method

4. In the Activities view, select different views in the bottom layout area using the Bottom Layout
tool group.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|4
 5. Explorer and familiarize yourself with the main menus of P6.

2 Lesson 2 – Working with Project Schedules

2.1 Exercise:

1. In the Projects view, use the Add button or right-click menu’s Add option to run the “Create a
new project” wizard. Create a project with the following attributes:

EPS Node: E&C (Engineering and Construction)

Project ID: EC00720
Project Name: New Home Construction
Project Planned Start: 04-FEB-2013
Data Date: 04-FEB-2013 (typically will be automatically set to Project Planned Start)

These next images will help guide you through the process.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|5
Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International
|6
Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International
|7
The final project should appear as follows in the Projects view:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|8
3 Lesson 3 – Work Breakdown Structure

3.1 Exercise:
1. Using the techniques described in the training video, create the following Work Breakdown

Structure for your New Home Construction project:

To create a child WBS element:

1. Right-click on the parent WBS element

2. Select Add from the drop-down menu
3. Enter a description for the WBS element in the WBS Name column

To create a sibling WBS element: (recommended method)

1. Right-click on the parent WBS element

2. Select Add from the drop-down menu
3. Enter a description for the WBS element in the WBS Name column

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|9
 4. Use the “Move Left” button to outdent the child WBS element and make it a sibling of the
original parent element.

Note: This exercise data can be imported from the Lesson 03 – New Home Construction Project.xer file
that is included in your training data package. See last page for import instructions.

4 Lesson 4 – Activities
4.1 Exercise:
1. Create a new layout called Activity Entry with the following columns selected:

2. Using any of the methods demonstrated in the lesson 4 video, add the following activities to
your New Home Construction project:

Note: This exercise data can be imported from the Lesson 04 – New Home Construction Project.xer file
that is included in your training data package. See last page for import instructions.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|10
Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International
|11
The final schedule should appear similar to the following:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|12
5 Lesson 5 – Relationships and Constraints
5.1 Exercise:
1. Using the techniques learned in the video, enter the following relationships in P6:

Predecessor Successor Successor Name Relationship Lag

Predecessor Name ID Type
ID
EC00720 New Home Construction
A1000 Project Start A1010 Project Management SS 0
A1000 Project Start A1030 Survey and Mark Out Site SS 0
A1010 Project Management A1020 Project Complete FF 0
EC00720.1 Grading
A1030 Survey and Mark Out Site A1040 Grade Site FS 0
A1040 Grade Site A1050 Install Foundation Forms FS 0
EC00720.2 Foundation
A1050 Install Foundation Forms A1060 Install Slab Plumbing FS 0
A1060 Install Slab Plumbing A1070 Pour and Float Slab Concrete FS 0
A1070 Pour and Float Slab Concrete A1080 Erect Exterior Wall Frames FS 7
EC00720.3.1 Framing
A1080 Erect Exterior Wall Frames A1090 Erect Interior Stud Walls FS 0
A1080 Erect Exterior Wall Frames A1110 Install Trusses FS 0
A1080 Erect Exterior Wall Frames A1160 Install Breaker Box and Rough Wiring FS 0
A1080 Erect Exterior Wall Frames A1180 Install Rough Plumbing Lines FS 0
A1080 Erect Exterior Wall Frames A1100 Install OSB Exterior Cladding FS 0
A1100 Install OSB Exterior Cladding A1240 Install Windows FS 0
A1090 Erect Interior Stud Walls A1190 Install Drywall Sheeting FS 0
EC00720.3.2 Roof
A1110 Install Trusses A1120 Install Roof Sheeting FS 0
A1120 Install Roof Sheeting A1130 Install Paper and Shingles FS 0
A1130 Install Paper and Shingles A1140 Install HVAC Ducting FS 0
EC00720.3.3.1 Mechanical
A1140 Install HVAC Ducting A1150 Install HVAC Unit SS 0
A1150 Install HVAC Unit A1020 Project Complete FF 0
EC00720.3.3.2 Electrical
A1160 Inst. Brkr Box & Rough Wiring A1170 Finish Wiring FS 0
A1170 Finish Wiring A1020 Project Complete FF 0
EC00720.3.3.3 Plumbing
A1180 Install Rough Plumbing Lines A1190 Install Drywall Sheeting FS 0
EC00720.3.3.4 Drywall
A1190 Install Drywall Sheeting A1200 Tape and Mud SS 0

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|13
 A1200 Tape and Mud A1210 Install Doors FS 0
A1200 Tape and Mud A1230 Install Kitchen FS 0

EC00720.3.3.5 Decor
A1210 Install Doors A1220 Door Casings and Baseboards FS 0
A1230 Install Kitchen A1020 Project Complete FF 0
A1220 Door Casings and A1020 Project Complete FF 0
Baseboards
EC00720.3.4 Exterior
A1240 Install Windows A1250 Install Siding FS 0
A1250 Install Siding A1260 Lay Turf and Plant Trees FS 0
EC00720.4 Landscaping
A1260 Lay Turf and Plant Trees A1020 Project Complete FF 0

Note: This exercise data can be imported from the Lesson 05 – New Home Construction Project.xer file
that is included in your training data package. See last page for import instructions.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|14
6 Lesson 6 – Critical Path Analysis
6.1 Exercise:
Perform a Schedule process on your copy of the New Home Construction project and verify the project
planned finish date.

Note: This exercise data can be imported from the Lesson 06 – New Home Construction Project.xer file
that is included in your training data package. See last page for import instructions.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|15
The final result should appear similar to the following:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|16
7 Lesson 7 – Resources
7.1 Exercise:
1. Add the following resources to the E&C Trades resource:

Resource ID Resource Name Max Units/Time Standard Rate Resource Type

Foreman Site Forman 8/d $55.00/h Labor
HVACEng HVAC Engineer 8/d $40.00/h Labor
Surveyor Land Surveyor 8/d $65.00/h Labor
Siding Siding Contractor 8/d $47.00/h Labor
Concrete Concrete 0/d $115.00 Per CY Material
7.2 Exercise:
1. Make the following resource assignments in the New Home Construction schedule:

Activity ID Activity Name Resource ID Budgeted Quantity

Units / Time
A1010 Project Management Foreman 8/d 1
A1030 Survey and Mark Out Site Surveyor 8/d 1
A1040 Grade Site Operator 8/d 1
A1050 Install Foundation Forms RCarp 8/d 1
A1050 Install Foundation Forms GenLabor 8/d 1
A1060 Install Slab Plumbing Plumb 8/d 1
A1070 Pour and Float Slab Concrete GenLabor 8/d 4
A1080 Erect Exterior Wall Frames RCarp 8/d 3
A1090 Erect Interior Stud Walls RCarp 8/d 2
A1100 Install OSB Exterior Cladding RCarp 8/d 3
A1110 Install Trusses RCarp 8/d 3
A1120 Install Roof Sheeting RCarp 8/d 3
A1130 Install Paper and Shingles Roofing 8/d 3
A1140 Install HVAC Ducting HVACEng 8/d 1
A1150 Install HVAC Unit HVACEng 8/d 1
A1160 Install Breaker Box and Rough Wiring Elec 8/d 1
A1170 Finish Wiring Elec 8/d 1
A1180 Install Rough Plumbing Lines Plumb 8/d 1
A1190 Install Drywall Sheeting Drywall 8/d 2
A1200 Tape and Mud Drywall 8/d 2
A1210 Install Doors FCarp 8/d 1
A1220 Door Casings and Baseboards FCarp 8/d 1
A1230 Install Kitchen FCarp 8/d 2

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|17
A1240 Install Windows FCarp 8/d 1
A1250 Install Siding Siding 8/d 1
A1260 Lay Turf and Plant Trees GenLabor 8/d 3

Note: This exercise data can be imported from the Lesson 07 – New Home Construction Project.xer file
that is included in your training data package. See last page for import instructions.

8 Lesson 8 – Baselines
8.1 Exercise:
1. Go to the Project menu and use the Maintain Baselines dialog to create a baseline of your New
Home Construction project.

2. Assign your new baseline to the Project Baseline and Primary Baseline fields.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|18
9 Lesson 9 – Project Status
9.1 Exercise:
1. Create a Status Layout for your system using the following columns:

2. Save the Layout as ‘Status Layout’ using the View | Layout | Save Layout As… menu option.

3. Enter the following status for week 1 of the New Home Construction project:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|19
Activity Activity Name Activity Actual Actual Activity %
ID Status Start Finish Complete
A1000 Project Start Completed 04-Feb-13 100%
A1030 Survey and Mark Out Site Completed 04-Feb-13 06-Feb-13 100%
A1040 Grade Site In Progress 07-Feb-13 60%

4. Open the Schedule dialog (F9).

5. Enter a Data Date of 10-Feb-13 .

6. Click the Schedule button.

Note: This exercise data can be imported from the Lesson 09 - New Home Construction Project
Part A.xer file that is included in your training data package. See last page for import
instructions.

Your schedule should appear similar to the following:

7. Now enter the following status data for week 2 of the New Home Construction project:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|20
Activity Activity Name Activity Actual Actual Activity %
ID Status Start Finish Complete
A1040 Grade Site Completed 07-Feb-13 12-Feb-13 100%
A1050 Install Foundation Forms Completed 13-Feb-13 14-Feb-13 100%

8. Open the Schedule dialog (F9).

9. Enter a Data Date of 17-Feb-13.

10. Click the Schedule button.

Note: This exercise data can be imported from the Lesson 09 - New Home Construction Project Part
B.xer file that is included in your training data package. See last page for import instructions.
Your schedule should now appear similar to the following:

10 Lesson 10 - Publishing and Reporting

10.1 Exercise:

1. Open the Gantt Chart Layout in the Activities view and go to the File | Print Preview menu
option.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|21
2. Familiarize yourself with the tool bar in the Print Preview dialog.

3. In the Print Preview dialog, experiment with the Page Layout options to timescale settings to the
Project Earliest Start (PS) and Project Latest Finish (PF) dates.

4. Now experiment with the Activity Table, All Columns, Grid Lines and Gantt Chart options to see
their effect on the output.

5. Close the Print Preview dialog.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|22
 6. Locate and run the standard report named RA-01 Resources Assignments, All Activities. Run this
report in the Print Preview window.

The result should appear as follows below:

7. Locate and run the report named PR-01 Resources on Open Project. Load this report into an
Excel Spreadsheet.

The results should appear as shown in the following figure:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|23
8. Create an activity status report using the Report Wizard with the following columns, grouping
and filter option:

Subject Area: Activities

Columns:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|24
Group and Sort:

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|25
Filter:

Report Title: Activity Status and Progress Report

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|26
The final report should appear as follows:

11 Lesson 11 – Exporting and Importing Project

Data
11.1 Exercise:
1. Click on the File | Export menu option.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|27
2. Export your New Home Construction project to an XER file in P6 R6.2 format using the Export
Wizard.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|28
Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International
|29
Congratulations! You have just completed all the exercises for the Primavera P6 training.

Now the real learning starts when you begin to us Primavera P6 Professional out in the real world. We
hope you have found this video course helpful in getting you started with the world’s leading high
power project scheduling systems.

From all of us here at Project Management Australia and International, we wish you every success in
the future. If we can be of further help to you in getting started with Primavera P6, please do not
hesitate to contact us.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|30
File Import Instructions
To save you time and some data entry, you can import the exercise data into your New Home
Construction project using the .XER files provided with your Training Data Package. You can partially
enter the exercise data to get some practice, but you don’t have to input everything unless otherwise
stated.

The following instructions show how to load these files into your current New Home Construction
project.

1. Go to the File menu and choose the Import option.

2. In the Import Format dialog, select Primavera PM – (XER).

3. In the Import Type dialog, choose Project.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|31
4. In the File Name dialog, click on the ellipse button of the File Name field and locate the training
data file you wish to import.

5. In the Import Project Options dialog, select Update Existing Project from the Import Actions
dropdown field.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|32
6. Now click in the Import To field and select the project to which to import the data.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|33
7. In the Update Project Options dialog, click Next >.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|34
 8. In the Finish dialog, click Finish to import the updates to your New Home Construction project.

Your project will be updated with the data in the lesson XER file.

Primavera P6 Training Exercise Worksheet. |Project Management Australia and International

|35