Planner/scheduler and controls
Imagine decision makers having visibility of where things are, where they are going and why. Good Planner/Schedulers and Controls people can provide that insight
Our focus
Having specialised in this field of specific work for more than 20 years, key staff at Core Consulting Group (CCG) understand the best approaches to planning projects and programs and presenting those plans in schedule, graphical, or other appropriate formats.
They understand how to integrate resource estimates into those plans and develop estimates using approaches that best suit clients’ projects and programs.
We recognise there is a big difference between planning and scheduling, one being the art and one the science. While schedulers have a tool focus, planners have a people focus. Planners help people articulate plans that live in their imagination. Planners add value through identifying risks and opportunities.
We are specialists with scheduling tools, particularly using Microsoft Project, as well as the use of Kanban and graphical representation of planning information. From a controls perspective, we can establish simple controls such as issues and risk registers right through to complex, integrated cost/schedule earned value systems.
We recognise the overlap with PMO analysts. However, planner/scheduler and controls personal tend to be highly specialised individuals, whereas PMO analysts tend to be more general and/or specialise in PPM/EPM Tools.
Our people
Our planners/schedulers and controls people are highly trained, skilled, and experienced. They adopt the ‘CCG way’ in terms of planning projects; an approach proven over many decades. They also embrace new ways of working and planning where Agile approaches are involved. Program Increment Planning (PI Planning) and Sprint Planning require a different approach but are key planning activities.
Our people will bring to our engagements CCG standards and tools if needed, particularly advanced use of MS Project.
While lamenting the overuse of the title ‘Master Scheduler’, we do recognise the unique skills needed by a planning/scheduling team lead. As a minimum, they must be an experienced planner (and hence an experienced scheduler) but also possess the leadership and influencing skills needed for integration of complex plans. The team lead must be able to set, articulate, and implement scheduling standards as well as facilitate appropriate reporting.
Requests for master schedulers are not common, so more often than not we will utilise skilled freelancers we have worked with in the past.
Case studies
ERP Program Support – Fast moving consumer goods
Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s larger food businesses with some of Australia’s most well known brands. Their foods included dry, packaged and fresh meats. The client had initiated a program to implement JD Edwards EnterpriseOne as its replacement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Program Planner Scheduler – Telecommunications
Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s medium sized Telecommunications providers. Our client was a national telecommunications carrier which specialised in high performance, premium data services for the corporate, government and carrier markets.
Program Administration – Telecommunications
Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s largest Telecommunications providers. Our client offered a range of services as well as providing core network infrastructure.
Master Scheduler – Energy company
Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s larger energy providers. Our client was a fully integrated energy and network business, with complementary activities in telecommunications and energy-related technologies.
Portfolio planning using MS Project – Local council
Core Consulting Group (CCG) were engaged by one of Melbourne’s largest local councils. Their Capital Works Program included the ongoing refurbishment, replacement and upgrade of Council’s physical assets (infrastructure and facilities) and construction of new assets to meet the community’s current and future service needs.
Master Scheduler – Telecommunications
Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s largest Telecommunications providers. Our client offered a range of services as well as providing core network infrastructure.
PMO for an Agile program – Telecommunications
Core Consulting Group (CCG) was engaged by one of Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services …
Controls for an Agile Program – Service provider to the State Government
CCG was engaged to assist with the integration of new ways of working with traditional planning and reporting.
Further reading
White papers
Fundamentals of Risk Management
Whitepaper – by Masoud Zakipoor
Simple Earned Value using MS Project 2010
Whitepaper – by Martin Vaughan
Program planning fundamentals when using MS project
Whitepaper – by Martin Vaughan
Dependency Management: are we there yet?
Whitepaper – by James Torrington
Estimation Accuracy on IT Projects
Whitepaper – by Chris Dwyer
Microsoft Project Server – Using @Risk for Portfolio Planning
Whitepaper – by Masoud Zakipoor and Martin Vaughan
Articles
Project schedules, the good, the bad and the pretty
Article – first published on projectmanager.com.au
Need a good planner/scheduler or controls specialist?
Contact Core Consulting Group for trusted, practical advice and assistance.