This is to answer the query from our buddy who are likely to get to know in detail about the profession called “Project Planner”. This come from my best knowledge after 9 years in the Construction/Rail industry.
Qualifications:
- Diploma/Degree holder in Project Management/Construction Management/Civil Engineer/Quantity Surveyor/Electrical or Mechanical
- This is because the discipline is much related with the Project Management environment. Others discipline may fit with the requirement but it depends with other factor as well i.e. passion, attitude etc.
Experience:
- I believe the good Project Planner should started from site (if refer to construction). This is where we can see the methodology of the construction been applied. Furthermore, it will provide the statistic about the productivity rate such as:
1) Piling Works: How many number the boring + caging + concreting activity can be done in 7 days?
2) Super Structure: How many floors that contractor can construct in 14 days? How many formwork, rebar & concrete volume need to be pour everyday? How many sets of formwork required?
3) Architecture Works: How many masonry we need to complete brickwork in 1 day? How many palette of brick we required at site?Same goes for plastering, painting & finishing works.
Skills:
- Besides experience, we need to understand about the Project Management principles. This is why Project Planning discipline related with Project Management Institute (PMI) etc. Nevertheless, you may apply PMI – Scheduling Professional license from PMI. Log on to http://www.pmi.org/en/Certification/PMI-Scheduling-Professional-PMI-SP.aspx for more info.
- Planning skills i.e. how to draw a general timeline which describe the process for the overall project? Or the logistic planning at site i.e. arrangement for Tower Crane, Store, Site Office etc. Or the Planning Flow that describe about the work sequence. This is a vital skill that makes Project Planner & Scheduler is different.
- Tools i.e. MS Project, Primavera, Sure Track etc. All the planning knowledge need to translate into a presentable graph that can be easy to understand by every project member. Normally, we are using Gantt Chart graph with Critical Path Method (CPM).
- Fancy terms for Project Planner i.e. Work breakdown Structure (WBS), Earned Value Management (EVM), total float, CPM, Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Cost performance Index (CPI) etc. need to be understand. How? By attending training course in Primavera etc.
- Attitude, this is important. You must have the passion & strong characteristic. You need to lead the Project Schedule & influence other team member to move forward in order to achieve the dateline given by client. We always talk in positive tone (even though it’s hard) because we need to steer the project. And of course, communication & presentation skill also required.
Job Scope:
- Normally, Project Planner is very useful during the Meeting. He/She will answer all the question about the progress, and ready with firm answer. It is high recommended that Project Planner reporting directly to Project Director or Project Manager to ensure all the critical information about project status is ‘genuinely’ convey to the management.
- To establish the Work breakdown Structure (WBS) and maintain the structure along the project.
- To establish the Baseline Schedule, this is the agreed time line for everybody to follow.
- To identify the sequence of work/construction methodologies apply for the project.
- To monitor the work progress & put in record either in Primavera or MS Project.
That’s all. If you interested to become a Project Planner, this is the tips & direction that I can give. Good luck!
Filed under: Scheduling & Planning
