Hi,
I joined as a planner with a small contractor (under 125 workers) working in the oil and gas industry. I am based in Singapore and my company is involved in pipeline and structural works within a refinery & a chemical plant. To elaborate a little more about me, I hold a masters degree in mechanical and manufacturing engineering from the UK. My question is how do I plan a career in planning?. I have a basic understanding of Primavera. I am also now able to break down the project scope (usually pipeline construction) into meaningful steps (WBS). Create a logical work sequence etc. I would like to know about any specific add on courses that I can take up to enhance my knowledge an advance myself as a planner. As the exposure I am getting from this company I currently work is very limited I would like to move onto a bigger company some time later, for that what are the skills I should be learning?. Would a short course on Project cost estimation be a nice choice?. Kindly help provide some answers for this confused beginner.
Regards,
Nithin
Thank you Patrick & Stephen for those valuable advice. As Patrick suggested, I'll try to obtain one of the certifications to widen my knowledge. I am thinking of staying with my current employer for another year and then make a move.
Hi, Nithin.
You received some excellent advice from Mike and Patrick. I also am a big believer in the importance of planners/schedulers understanding the business basis for a project. I believe that this will become a major trend in the next few years.
I would suggest you read this 2012 article titled "The Drag Efficient: The Missing Quantification of Time on the Critical Path" in Defense AT&L Magazine (it is a PDF file). (BTW, this article was reprinted as a chapter in this 2013 oil & gas project management book.
If you find the concepts interesting, I would urge you to read my 2014 book Managing Projects as Investments: Earned Value to Business Value. It will offer a different way of viewing projects, and different (i.e., economics-based) skills that could set you apart from others.
Fraternally in project management,
Steve the Bajan
Hi Nithin ,
The roles, responsibilities and capabilities of a good planner are diverse, but as Mike said, being able to use software is a minimal need. To understand the full spectrum see: http://www.mosaicprojects.com.au/PDF/Attributes_of_a_Scheduler.pdf
The emerging aspect is certification / qualification. The Guild hosted on this website is the most comprehensive. Straight certifications are available from PMI and AACEi, see: http://www.mosaicprojects.com.au/Planning.html#Certifications You will find studying for any of these certifications will push your formal knowledge significantly.
Pat.
Mike,
Thank you for your reply. I myself had this feeling that I am just a scheduler as of now!. Still I can tell you that I understand the whole construction process in my niche area because I am at the field for at least two full days a week, more if the team is involved in any critical tasks. The thing is being a foreigner here in Singapore, none of the companies may offer a trainee position to foriegner they'd rather go for a local. That is why I asked about any add on courses that I should be doing to get an edge over others. Once again, thank you very much for your reply.
Nithin
Hi Nithin
Currently you are working your way to becoming a skilled scheduler in a niche industry in the oil and gas field.
A scheduler is not a planner.
The best qualification for a planner is to gain a full understanding of the construction process and experience in your specialist industry - skill with the software is secondary.
My advice therefore is get a job as a trainee scheduler with a main Oil and Gas installer and stay with it for at least 5 years.
Ask questions and learn all the time.
Best regards
Mike Testro