S8E178: The Subtle Art of Planning with Micah Piippo

The Project Chatter Podcast

Summary:

In this episode, the boys talk to Micah Piippo about the world of planning and scheduling, the importance and respect of planning, the need for more planners and schedulers, and the benefits and opportunities in planning and scheduling. They also talk about the skills required for planners and schedulers, the role of planners in the C-Suite, and the impact of planning on project success. The conversation covers the importance of proper planning and design, building teams and culture in planning, and the training and development options for planners and schedulers. They also discuss the challenges and benefits of switching sectors as a scheduler and the future of scheduling and AI. The conversation explores the current role of a planner and how it will change in the future. It emphasizes the importance of spending less time in planning and scheduling software and more time on value-added activities such as analysis and communication. The discussion highlights the potential for increased collaboration and human interaction in the future, facilitated by visual-based progressing and automated workflows. The conversation also touches on the need for a medium that everyone can understand to improve communication and understanding among project stakeholders. The future of project planning and scheduling is seen as a combination of technology and human expertise, with the potential for improved training programs and more efficient processes.Takeaways

• Planning and scheduling are crucial functions in project management and deserve more recognition and respect.
• There is a need for more planners and schedulers in the job market, and it is a profession that offers good career prospects and higher salaries.
• Planners and schedulers should have a balance of technical skills, soft skills, and a genuine interest in the job.
• Proper planning and scheduling can significantly impact project success, and organizations should prioritize these functions.
• Planners and schedulers should be involved in the early stages of a project to ensure better outcomes.
• Switching sectors as a scheduler can be challenging but offers opportunities for growth and higher salaries.
• Continuous learning and development are essential for planners and schedulers to stay updated with industry trends and advancements.
• The future of scheduling may involve the integration of AI and advanced analytics to improve efficiency and accuracy. Planners should focus on value-added activities such as analysis and communication, rather than spending excessive time in planning and scheduling software.
• The future of project planning and scheduling may involve increased collaboration and human interaction, facilitated by visual-based progressing and automated workflows.
• A medium that everyone can understand, such as visual-based progress tracking, can improve communication and understanding among project stakeholders.
• Technology has the potential to improve training programs and provide planners with more accurate and detailed data for analysis.

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