Create an Issue List in Excel | Issue Management for Project Management } Issue Log creation

How to Create a Simple Issue List in Excel

Introduction to the Issue List

• The video outlines the process of creating an issue list using Excel, focusing on customization and formatting options.

• Key features include highlighting issues based on severity, graying out closed issues, and tracking late items.

• Slicers will be used for filtering the list by impact or status, along with simple charts for visual representation.

Setting Up Tabs

• Two tabs are created: "Issue Log" and "Settings and Totals." The latter is for dynamic data management.

• Parameters such as issue status (open, on hold, closed), severity (high, medium, low), and categories are defined for validation purposes.

Building the Skeleton of the Issue List

• The structure of the issue log includes fields like issue number, date raised, description, category, impact description, due date, owner, status updates, and related risk numbers.

• Data validation is applied to ensure consistency in entries across various fields like status and severity. This helps maintain data integrity throughout the project lifecycle.

Formatting Issues

• Conditional formatting is introduced to visually distinguish between different severities of issues using color codes (red for high severity).

• A method is demonstrated to gray out completed issues while ensuring that active ones remain visible for tracking purposes.

Converting Data into a Table

• The importance of converting the issue list into a table format is discussed; this allows easier filtering and management of data without losing conditional formatting rules.

• Filters can be added at the top of each column to streamline navigation through potentially large datasets containing numerous issues.

Adding Slicers for Enhanced Filtering

• Slicers are introduced as a tool for quick filtering by status or impact directly from the table interface in Excel. This feature enhances user experience when managing extensive lists of issues.

• Users can select multiple criteria simultaneously using slicers which simplifies tracking specific types of issues effectively within larger projects.

Creating Charts from Data

• Basic chart creation techniques are shared to visualize totals based on statuses or impacts effectively; this aids in reporting during project meetings or reviews.

• Customization options allow users to adjust colors and formats according to their preferences while maintaining clarity in presentation style across different charts representing various metrics related to project issues.

This structured approach provides a comprehensive guide on how to create an effective issue list in Excel tailored specifically for project management needs while ensuring ease of use through visual aids like charts and filters.