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What makes a good planner?

9 replies [Last post]
Mon, 2009-09-28 13:47
Carlos Arana
User offline. Last seen 5 years 32 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 6 Jun 2009
Posts: 178
Groups: Civil Engineering
I ask this because I’m learning Power project trying to do things that P3 can not. I’m trying to learn PP because it seems its use of calendars is more flexible than P6. The thing is, I can already use P3, P6 and MS Project. Then I came to the tought that it seems to me that i’m only good at learning new software and there are skills I’m not pursuing to become a planner. What are those skills I should be pursuing?
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Replies

Wed, 2009-09-30 21:57
#1
Carlos Arana
User offline. Last seen 5 years 32 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 6 Jun 2009
Posts: 178
Groups: Civil Engineering
Thanks for the compliment Scarllet. A genius would have more answers than questions. A genius should be teaching something, I am still learning.
But thanks, you made me smile :D
Also, thanks for the recommendation about internet career planning. Now that got my interest.
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Wed, 2009-09-30 08:31
#2
Scarllet Pimpernel
User offline. Last seen 12 years 42 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 19 Jul 2009
Posts: 152
Groups: GPC Qatar, Pinoy Planning Planet Community
Carlos,

you are a genious. And that is a hallmark of a great planner as a start.

You have practically debunk the philosophy that is taking roots in PP regarding: you know how to built to be able to plan.

The new generation of planners embrace your idea.

By the way, I belong to the old generation, so I did got actual field/project experience thru variety of project situation. I startedm,25 years ago, with project worth 150,000 USD when i just finished my college, then move in geometric progression to present project that now range in 20 Billion USD.

How to plan your career? Actually, you can search in the internet. There are career planners professional. so from there ideas on how, what, where, regarding career path, all you have to do is get what is relevant to your person.

Then implement your plan. My only advice: if you got stuck up in dead project, you have to decide to move forward. Do not waste you time.

Since you are a genius, you should be able to figure this out:

"If I can not find the way, I will make the way"

That is the hallmark of a genius and a great leaders. and of course, a great planner.

Thank you,
Scarlett
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Tue, 2009-09-29 23:10
#3
Samer Zawaydeh
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Joined: 3 Aug 2008
Posts: 1664
Groups: Civil Engineering, Regional Representatives
Dear Carlos,

The Plan starts before the works begin. So it is first a TEAM effort including all the Stakeholders working on the project. Then when you come with the Plan and Develop the Schedule, you start work at site. At that time, you need to spend 50% of your time monitoring the construction activities in order to make sure that activtities are taking place, you are not missing the extra work, the sequence is correct and that the Program of Works is representing the ongoing work at site.

With kind regards,

Samer
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Tue, 2009-09-29 16:31
#4
Carlos Arana
User offline. Last seen 5 years 32 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 6 Jun 2009
Posts: 178
Groups: Civil Engineering
To be able to plan something one should know how to build it, but if a project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to produce a unique product, service or result, then, the schedule should be a set of instructions on how to build the project. If one can read those instructions, then one can build the project (Assuming the project includes design sheets). If the planner is the one that sets the instructions, then a planner should be the person who can communicate more effectively the set of instructions to end the project. In order to give instructions, one should be able to understand the field work. So the effort I should make is to spend more time in the field work. Am I getting it?

Thanks, I’ll be looking forward this topic.

By the way, Scarlet: that’s a good idea to plan a career. That would be a great topic, too: How do you plan your own career? (Bonus: can it be planned in P3?)

Best Regards.
Carlos A. Matus
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Tue, 2009-09-29 04:23
#5
Anoon Iimos
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Joined: 22 Sep 2006
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Groups: Pinoy Planning Planet Community
Maybe you will all agree that a Planner’s job is so complex that to come-up with a single plan needs several opinions (I’m talking from an organization’s point of view...just presuming).

Now what’s the difference between:

1. Collectively thought Plan; and
2. Planned Alone?

and what makes a good Planner? for me, a good "Project Manager" will make you a better Planner!
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Mon, 2009-09-28 15:49
#6
Samer Zawaydeh
User offline. Last seen 5 years 7 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 3 Aug 2008
Posts: 1664
Groups: Civil Engineering, Regional Representatives
Dear Carlos,

The Planner comes us with the Plan and the Scheduler writes up the software.

Usually, Projects are complicated with all the Architectural, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and further direct purchases. This can’t be figured out by one person.

The planner must be an active catalist on the project team to be able to work in harmony with all at site. This is not an easy task especially at construction site where things are moving quickly.

So you need to actively seek the correct way to complete your project. The building blocks are the Plan. Figuring out the futher details, activities, sequence, resources and durations are the Schedule development.

With kind regards,

Samer
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Mon, 2009-09-28 15:09
#7
Shah. HB
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Joined: 25 Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Groups: GPC Malaysia, GPC Qatar, Planning, Claims & Contracting, TILOS
Exposure,experiance in revelent field,personal interest,applying thought of project management skills & knowledge makes a good planner is it right?
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Tue, 2009-09-29 03:10
#8
Scarllet Pimpernel
User offline. Last seen 12 years 42 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 19 Jul 2009
Posts: 152
Groups: GPC Qatar, Pinoy Planning Planet Community
Carlos,

You need to get acquainted with EPC: engineering procurement and construction.

this is an area where planning skills are needed the most.

so, for skills:

learn the design process, authorities approval process

learn the procurement process that can be divided further in stages: stage 1 procurement of nominated sub-contractors, stage 2 procurement activities by the awarded nominated sub-contractor

learn the construction process, but this will depends on what industries you are interested, for example, like me im a licensed civil engineer, so my field of interest are: buildings: high rise, skycrapers, hotels, commercial development, township development, high end villas, infrastructure: roads, flywovers, bridges, viaducts, metro (ligth rail transit, mass rail transit, high speed transit),

highly specialized construction for example: tunnel boring, diaphragm walls, tunneling.

You might be overwhelmed on the huge playing fields out there for construction.

So you need to plan: career plan. basically, you don’t need to get stuck up in one project to learn all. so you have to jump from one project to another project to maximize your exposure to the different construction field.

Thank you,
Scarlett
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Mon, 2009-09-28 14:15
#9
Mike Testro
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Joined: 14 Dec 2005
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Groups: Building Information Modelling, Content Moderators, GPCCAR Editors
Hi Carlos

You will have read this in many of my threads.

If you can build it you can plan it.

A planner puts the construction sequence into logical order because he is building it in his head as he puts the plan together.

(OK Carmen read He/she as interchangeable)

If you can’t build it you are a scheduler who puts down a builders plan.

So spend as much time as you can absorbing the contruction process and try not to specialise too early.

Best regards

Mike Testro.
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