I developed this for a client a while back, and have had to refresh it and resend it multiple times.  Updated for 2009, here’s my latest version.  Note to the naysayers that this is not the end all be all of becoming a Project Server admin, but if you are on the business side, and have been appointed the owner of your Project Server instance, then this post is for you.

Required Reading List:

These books should be in the library of any Project Server Admin.

• Administering Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 (Chefetz/Howard)
• Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 (Chefetz/Howard)
• Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft Office Project 2007, Rodolfo Ambriz

You can get the MSPE books off of Amazon individually, or buy directly from the MSPE Website (I think they offer a discount if you buy a couple of titles): https://www.projectserverbooks.com/

Recommended Reading List:

These books make a good addition to the library of any Project Server Admin.

• Using Microsoft Office Project 2003, Tim Pyron (not essential, but a nice to have.  I point out that Quantum did the 2007 update version which is probably great, but I haven’t gotten around to purchasing it)
• Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, The Complete Reference; Gochberg & Stewart
• There’re a lot of other great books, but time and time again, I always return to these two.

Engage the Community:

• Install an RSS aggregator/newsfeed reader
  • I use the free Jetbrains: http://www.jetbrains.com/omea/download/reader.html) for my laptop and Google Reader / NetNewsWire for my iPhone. 
  • Review the blogs on a weekly, if not daily basis.
• Subscribe to every MOPS blog you can find (list)
• Subscribe to a couple of the key SharePoint blogs (Here’s Joel’s list of the top 100)
• Subscribe to the Microsoft Project newsgroups (Server, Desktop, Developer).  Review them on a daily basis.  Begin to contribute to them.  Note that Outlook Express or Jetbrains will download the newsgroups for offline viewing.
  • Server: http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.project.server
  • Desktop: http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.project
  • Developer: http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.project.developer
• Follow Microsoft Project on Twitter (hash tags: #PMOT, #MSProject, #ProjectConf09, #ProjectServer)
• Explore MPUG offerings near you or online.
• Engage your local (or online) training providers to make sure you’re on their mailing list for Project classes and events.

Build a Sandbox

Create a VPC as a test base for functionality. The experience is well worth it, and is quite easy to do if you follow these instructions by MSPE Tony Zink:

http://www.pptspaces.com/msprojectreporterblog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?List=cea5da16%2D0c29%2D40a7%2D845e%2D4eea7cbc844d&ID=31

Get Yourself an Operating Framework

Since you will be the Project Server service desk, or will be interfacing with your corporate service desk, it behooves you to get up to speed on best practices in keeping the lights on and in managing changes.  There’re a couple of flavors out there, but the ideal scenario would be to get ITIL v2 Foundations Certified or up to speed on the Microsoft Operations Framework.  I can’t speak to MOF, but the ITIL v2 Foundations class is easily accessible and quite beneficial to non-techies. 

Note that ITIL v3 may also be beneficial, but doesn’t spend the time on the Service Desk operations that v2 did – unless the syllabus has changed, and I missed it, which is entirely possible.