’Experienced’ delay analysts

In another PP forum, I complained about the lack of experience and training gained by many of todays planners. I concede however that a good individual may not require years of experience in order to produce a programme, he or she needs to be able to talk to people and diseminate fact from fiction.

This got me to thinking - can the same be said for delay analysts and planning experts? Do they need years of project experience or simply an understanding of planning and DA techniques?

What do PPers think?

Regards
David