Interesting discussion, but I just looked back at Darrells original post. Ever thought that that the job seems less challenging and people are easier to deal with because youre getting really good at the job? Dont confuse what you get out of your work with the contribution you make to the organisation. Sometimes, you get projects where you dont feel challenged, where potential problems are obvious, people are easy to deal with and things run smoothly. Its the fact that you are on top of your job that makes this happen and the contribution youre making is much greater than your personal feelgood factor.
This could be the time when you do want to make a change, a different organisation, a new position. Fine, go for it if you want to, but apply the care to this choice as you do to your work. Good luck
I dont like the third definition. Planning to me is all about understanding logic and integration issues. The ability to be able to define what the project tasks, etc are. Starting with decomposing the Customer requirements into a wbs, with the help of others. The Planner ensures that this process is structured and generates a coherent wbs. In parallel the obs can be defined. Once these basic building blocks are in place then the production of an activity list and their logic can start to be defined. Associtated with this will be the creation of resource requirements (materials, money and manpower). This can then lead to the production of a time based schedule.
Software tools for me only enable a Planner to do their job. I particularly like the quote "Whilst skills with particular planning tools may impress employers, they represent less than 20% of the important skills of a planners job". Software tools help with the drawing of things like a wbs, but certainly not their creation, that needs brain-power, something computers lack.
The need for software specialists is an essential, but more importantly is the need for non toolset specific planning skills. An expert planner should be able to transfer between tools reasonably easily, because they know what they want the tool to perform. In my experience a toolset specialist can have trouble swopping, or at least worries awapping between toolsets, whereas good planners treat it as a challenge, rather than a threat.
Member for
24 years 9 months
Member for24 years10 months
Submitted by Ernesto Puyana on Fri, 2004-02-13 12:57
- A project manager, who devises strategies to lead work execution.
- A project manager’s assistant who develops a working plan based on strategies devised.
- A technician who knows the inner details of a certain software package and documents plans devised by others.
Given the adequate academic background, the third option is a very good starting point, to move into the other two positions as time, apportunity and experience dictate.
Without it, it could be a dead-end.
Member for
22 years 2 months
Member for22 years2 months
Submitted by PRAFUL SHELKE on Thu, 2004-02-12 11:10
In my industry Planning is treated in many different ways. These in part depend on what Planners do and in some cases are allowed to do. In some areas of the business Planning is seen as a distinct Profession in its own right and not subsumed into Project Management. In other parts of the business Planners just draw barcharts to reflect what people want to show. I suppose it all depends on where you are based. Obviously Planning is most interesting and challenging where Planning is a distinct career path in its own right.
Planning (in my view) if used properly is an Integration discpline. It is the glue that puts a project together. The vast majority of people sit in their silos, yet the Planner has to "glue" it all together to make one integrated plan. The highest complement I have heard from senior Project managers is that "only 2 people understand how this project works and integrates together, the Chief Engineer and the Chief Planner". it is the integration that appeals to me and keeps me ticking.
Hope these views help. Guy
Member for
22 years 11 months
Member for22 years11 months
Submitted by Bernard Ertl on Wed, 2003-12-10 10:25
Member for
16 years 9 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
Hi guys,
Interesting discussion, but I just looked back at Darrells original post. Ever thought that that the job seems less challenging and people are easier to deal with because youre getting really good at the job? Dont confuse what you get out of your work with the contribution you make to the organisation. Sometimes, you get projects where you dont feel challenged, where potential problems are obvious, people are easy to deal with and things run smoothly. Its the fact that you are on top of your job that makes this happen and the contribution youre making is much greater than your personal feelgood factor.
This could be the time when you do want to make a change, a different organisation, a new position. Fine, go for it if you want to, but apply the care to this choice as you do to your work. Good luck
Member for
24 years 1 monthRE: Planning Careers...????????
I dont like the third definition. Planning to me is all about understanding logic and integration issues. The ability to be able to define what the project tasks, etc are. Starting with decomposing the Customer requirements into a wbs, with the help of others. The Planner ensures that this process is structured and generates a coherent wbs. In parallel the obs can be defined. Once these basic building blocks are in place then the production of an activity list and their logic can start to be defined. Associtated with this will be the creation of resource requirements (materials, money and manpower). This can then lead to the production of a time based schedule.
Software tools for me only enable a Planner to do their job. I particularly like the quote "Whilst skills with particular planning tools may impress employers, they represent less than 20% of the important skills of a planners job". Software tools help with the drawing of things like a wbs, but certainly not their creation, that needs brain-power, something computers lack.
The need for software specialists is an essential, but more importantly is the need for non toolset specific planning skills. An expert planner should be able to transfer between tools reasonably easily, because they know what they want the tool to perform. In my experience a toolset specialist can have trouble swopping, or at least worries awapping between toolsets, whereas good planners treat it as a challenge, rather than a threat.
Member for
24 years 9 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
What do you call a "planner":
- A project manager, who devises strategies to lead work execution.
- A project manager’s assistant who develops a working plan based on strategies devised.
- A technician who knows the inner details of a certain software package and documents plans devised by others.
Given the adequate academic background, the third option is a very good starting point, to move into the other two positions as time, apportunity and experience dictate.
Without it, it could be a dead-end.
Member for
22 years 2 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
After more than twelve years of planning and project controls experience in all continents, I do not see the "dead end".
Member for
22 years 8 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
Well! Since day 1 as a planner I been having fun with the profession. From a software development planner to E&M to Civil to Railway to Utility...
From MS Project to Primavera (DOS) to P3 to P3e to P3e/c enterprise ...
I dont see an end yet
Member for
22 years 4 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
Dear sir,
After 12 year experince, this question is very good for me!
Planning is a important skills for any successful strategies.
We must know that planning is the know-how managers.
Member for
24 years 1 monthRE: Planning Careers...????????
In my industry Planning is treated in many different ways. These in part depend on what Planners do and in some cases are allowed to do. In some areas of the business Planning is seen as a distinct Profession in its own right and not subsumed into Project Management. In other parts of the business Planners just draw barcharts to reflect what people want to show. I suppose it all depends on where you are based. Obviously Planning is most interesting and challenging where Planning is a distinct career path in its own right.
Planning (in my view) if used properly is an Integration discpline. It is the glue that puts a project together. The vast majority of people sit in their silos, yet the Planner has to "glue" it all together to make one integrated plan. The highest complement I have heard from senior Project managers is that "only 2 people understand how this project works and integrates together, the Chief Engineer and the Chief Planner". it is the integration that appeals to me and keeps me ticking.
Hope these views help. Guy
Member for
22 years 11 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
LOL. OK Darrell. "further" management positions.
Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems Inc. - Project Management Software, Project Planning Software
Member for
23 years 8 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
Planning is a "Management" position doh.
Member for
22 years 11 monthsRE: Planning Careers...????????
Define "dead end".
IMO, in the petrochem industry, planning positions usually either lead to management positions or an invitation to join another company. ;-)
Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems Inc. - Project Management Software, Project Planning Software