Issue #2: View Online here

Editors Comments:

Here’s the second Newsletter and thanks to everyone who has emailed us with their comments, ideas and requests.

Conundrum -

Last issue we asked members to tell us how they have made use of the 'Start-to-Finish' logical activity relationship.

We recieved numerous replies and want to thank everyone for taking the time to share their experences.

Despite people giving us some good real world examples we remain confused. If we get some more suggestions this week we will publish them all in the next issue.

Next Issue -

Does anyone have a question to ask? If so, let us know and we will include it in the next issue.

Regards

PP Admin Team.

PP News:

Software Panel

PP would like applications for our software panel. The object is to test new software and evaluate its relevance to us all and to look at updates of our old friends and comment on them to our community!

We would like to have each of the panels profiles up on PP but if you do not want that we will respect your privacy: obviously experience and the ability to write reports to our members are major deciding criteria! If you are interested please contact ppadmin@planningplanet.com for an application form.

Accreditation

We are seeking applications to join our Accreditation panel. PP is uniquely placed to ensure this happens and we all know the benefits! Here is your chance to be part of the most significant event in our industry for many years...if you have good experience possibly from a senior or management background please contact ppadmin@planningplanet.com We have a growing list of major and global companies who are supporting the community in this initiative.

PP Register

We are still working on our member register. It will go live with our imminent new infrastructure and we think shows the power of your website helping you! Please send a letter with accompanying cv detailing when you will be available to possibly consider a new role and very importantly those organisation you do not want to hear from! ppadmin@planningplanet.com is the contact address.

Dads’ Army

Experience is invaluable. You may be on an island in the Pacific, shovelling snow from your path in Spain or even just contemplating that Council Tax bill in Cleethorpes whatever, if you have some free time and would like to put something back into your community PP would like to hear from you and benefit from your experience!

Contact Captain Mainwaring: ppadmin@planningplanet.com

Consuls

Please keep those applications coming!

Ironically we have not heard from our community in the UK! We seek a global network of Consuls that includes every area – especially the UK and the USA...sadly the role for Tristan da Cunha has now gone but don’t let that put you off! We have an application form again ppadmin@planningplanet.com will respond to your mails.

Thanks...

Lastly we would like to thank the many members who have been in touch - both individual and Corporate. We thank you all for taking the trouble to write to us; after all, how are we going to know if we are doing the right things if we don’t hear from you? Our new website will be implemented shortly and greatly increases the features we can bring to you. HAPPY PLANNING!! The PP Team.

If your interested please send us an email to ppadmin@planningplanet.com

Subscriber News:

Project Management Software – There is an alternative!

Find out more about Asta Powerproject – FREE Introduction Webinars. Used by top construction contractors and sold worldwide to over 50 countries and in 5 different languages, Asta Powerproject is designed to handle the business challenges that face construction project management today and provides robust tools that are easy to use and offer the power and flexibility to plan and manage projects more proficiently and successfully.

This free series of webinars provides a practical insight to key features of Asta Powerproject, with valuable information in an interactive format.

All webinars last just 15 minutes and are conducted in English. Simply click on the one you are interested in and register. Attendance is free.

Here at PP, we would like to hear people's thoughts and opinions (good or bad). Is Asta as good as they say, or does it fall short?

On the Soap Box:

5 ways to improve Asset Information Handover

Join our 30 minute webinar and discover ways to: Improve your Project to Operations handover process - Handover validated documents as they become available Manage concurrent engineering across maintenance and engineering projects Control asset document changes between internal projects and external parties Ensure consistent business processes are followed using electronic work packages Increase confidence in, and access to validated asset documents

Accurate Information = Improved Performance

There is a strong correlation between accurate, validated information and performance. The best equipment will only give good performance if people know how to use it. Coordinating processes across Engineering Projects and Operations & Maintenance is one of the biggest challenges. The consequence of poor handover increases the cost of maintaining an asset. Dear Planner's tell us what you think.

Information continuously needs to be exchanged between Engineering Projects and Operations, therefore accuracy, timeliness and completeness of documentation are central to operational efficiency.

McLaren Software provide Information and Engineering Document Management Solutions that help organisations operate and maintain efficient, safe and compliant plants and facilities. Based on the Enterprise Engineer application suite, McLaren Solutions support all stages of the lifecycle.

From design phases to capital projects, handover to operations & maintenance, McLaren Solutions are configurable to meet individual needs and industry requirements. Solutions ensure consistent processes are followed throughout the asset lifecycle, assuring the integrity of engineering processes, documents and drawings... View Recording

Planners and managing Planner's do tell us what you think.

We welcome any feedback, thoughts, or indeed requests to be involved via email discussions on this issue, so do e-mail us at ppadmin@planningplanet.com with your ideas. Who wants to be on the ‘Soap Box’ in two weeks time?

Subscriber News:

Recruiting effectively: A message on how to fill our team vacancies more efficiently...

It constantly surprises us why so many planners (or employers) make the recruitment process harder than it actually needs to be. 

When supply of job seekers is plentiful 'employers' seem to take even more time, become even more selective; however, when supply is scarce this focuses the mind a little more, and the recruitment process naturally quickens.

The recruitment process should be lean.  What do we mean by lean?  What we mean is that a recruitment process is streamlined, effective, no delays, no waiting for decisions, sign off has been authorised, an interview happens only once the project has been won or the role approved.  Delays and inefficiencies’ stifle a recruitment process and jeopardise the relationship between recruiter and employer, and worse make the job seeker question the organisational ability of the employer.  We have seen many job seeker’s eventually offered a job by the employer, only for the employer to be let down, as the job seeker has taken another job (due to delays in an offer being made, or the interview process seeming to be unorganised, or taking too long).

Some key tips from us to you as planners, managers and employers. Some of this guidance may suit you, some may not, choose your own comfort level, but try to make steps to have a lean recruitment process. 

• Understand the job that needs to be filled, the essential and desirable experience.
• Have a clear job description; try to ensure the interviewee has a copy prior to the interview.
• Try to make the interview process as short and effective as can be.  2nd, 3rd or 4th interviews, are they really necessary?  Try to get all people that need to be involved in the interview process there on the same day.
• Do all you can not to postpone or delay the interview or decision making process?
• Maybe hold a telephone interview; prior to a face to face meeting, so only one meeting is necessary.
• Try to be in a position to make a job offer there and then at the interview.
• Try to have contract paperwork ready to give the successful interviewee at the interview.
• Be 100% clear on what financial package you need to offer to the interviewee for them to accept your offer.
• Keep communication channels open with all parties and stick to timescales agreed.
• Offer the job seeker a contract job, see them in action, then offer a permanent job based on performance (obviously this depends on availability and suitability).

By working with Project Resource we will advise you at all times', how to improve your recruitment process, so your project / team / office wastes less time and money and gets faster more efficient recruitment results.  If you want any further information or help refining your recruitment process we are happy to talk with you and help where we can.  Until then, good luck in recruiting…

Specia Career Opportunity, are you the right person?:

Project Controller - Saab Systems plays an integral role in the Defence industry, and currently has an opportunity available for an experienced controller on a 12-month maternity leave fixed-term contract.

Based in Rockingham and reporting to the Senior Project Controller, the primary purpose of the role will be to coordinate the scheduling activities of several ANZAC Class Ships and be an integral part of an enabling group. In addition to scheduling activities, this role will be a mentor to the Project Controllers in regards to scheduling techniques.

To work at Saab Systems you must comply with Defence Industry security requirements i.e. you will be an Australian citizen OR be able to meet eligibility requirements. Apply here if this is for YOU

Subscriber News:

Managing Construction’s Management “Keeping Things Under Control”

For a while, it seemed that sophisticated planning/scheduling might be the answer.  But Critical Path Method (CPM) typically required the use of computers which, while solving some problems, often posed new ones.  The most shocking complaint of all – and a stark reality that cannot be ignored – is that the computers simply haven't improved project control.

Just as the lure of computerized order turned into widespread disappointment in the project management realm, a similar storyline developed with CPM itself.  Touted as the answer to organizational turmoil, CPM consultants were retained in droves.  Now, years later, companies complain of mass disenchantment with these "experts" and their products/services.

Certainly, there are many fine planning/scheduling consultants providing quality service to a hungry construction market.  But in greater numbers, there are occurrences of sloppy graphics, incomplete schedules, remote servicing, dispassionate involvement by consultants, cumbersome printouts and extremely high price tags.  But most of all, the consumers of scheduling products and services complain that their projects continue to finish late!  “Where is the great value added from the Critical Path Method?,” they cry.

If the above management issues seem insurmountable, then the resilient nature of the constructor will recover your faith in the true grit that characterizes the constructrion industry.  These pioneers have realized that the adage of the past is also the wisdom for the future: Plan your work, and work your plan.

So, if the solution to so many of the above management problems is a sound Project Control System, then just how does one control a project?  For a long time (and in many mistaken circles even today), planning and scheduling were thought to be the full embodiment of a Project Control System.  Now, we know better.

On a  commercial aircraft, who controls the aircraft?  The pilot.  Then what is the role of the navigational officer?  To advise the pilot of present and upcoming conditions, using the flight plan as one of many devices.  The flight plan is not, in itself, a navigational system.  And it takes a trained officer to interpret the data provided by the plan and other instruments of the trade.  The pilot has little time to perform both aircraft control and flight navigating duties.  So the navigational officer is not eliminated.

In construction, the project manager controls the project, to the extent that any one individual ever can control a massive orchestration of effort.  The Project Control System is there to provide as much information as possible is, and employs many devicews, only one of which is the project schedule.

Project Planning and Controls Preparation (schedules/budgets) are but two of six steps in the process of Project Control, and should precede a project’s start.  For the life of the project, the essence of project control is the implementation of the strategy (“... work your plan.”)

Control can be defined as the influencing of project pace and direction (momentum) through the use of incoming and outgoing information.  Consider the control of your own personal car.  You are equipped with a steering wheel (direction); the brake and accelerator pedals (pace); and finally, the windshield, instrument panels, and mirrors (information).  Eliminate any three elements (direction, pace, or information) and all meaningful control is lost.

In construction, the schedule sets the desired pace and direction.  The other four, recurring steps in a Project Control System (Action, Analysis, Reporting, Adjustment) serve to inform project managment of current and upcoming conditions so that influence can be brought to bear where it will do the most good.

For a Project Control System to be of maximum value, it must do more than merely report after-the-fact news, like a weather-caster.  One way of doing this is by observing the momentum at which a job is traveling.  Through such rate calculations, trending projections can be made available to the project manager needing greater insights into true job status.

Companies have erred by thinking that scheduling is synonymous with Project Control.  A flight plan does not a navigational system make!  A valid Project Control System is incomplete, and hence ineffective, without the active participation of a trained specialist who knows how to analyze the information that is contained in every schedule update. 

For the modern constructor in the trenches, Momentum Control is the battle cry.  Project Control is the main weapon, and slow, subtle finesse characterizes the strategy.  The time is now for acquiring a little self-control.  You can do it!

Excerpt reprinted with permission from the International Center for Scheduling, Inc. (www.ICS-Global.com)

Want to read more? Let us know at ppadmin@planningplanet.com and we will ask Murray to provide the full article which I'm sure will be a good read.

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