Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Work Planner

A Work Planner is a professional who plays a crucial role in coordinating and organizing various tasks and resources within a workplace. They are responsible for creating schedules, setting timelines, and ensuring that projects and operations run smoothly. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Work Planners.

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Main Responsibilities of a Work Planner

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Work Planner:

Accumulate

Accumulate all the necessary technical documents for construction activities.

Allocate

Allocate resources efficiently to meet project requirements.

Analyze

Analyze project risks and develop risk mitigation strategies.

Approve

Approve and review all required work packages to ensure safety, high quality and detail.

Attend

Attend internal / external training sessions as and when appropriate to increase your skill set.

Build

Build and maintain relationships with leading IPO desks.
Build an inbound funnel and enable sales.
Build and submit cases to get sufficient allocations.

Coach

Coach, develop and mentor new starters on the team.

Collaborate with

Collaborate and support other Field Work Planners as needed within the Region.
Collaborate with Commercial Operations to gain acceptance / approval of outage plans.
Collaborate with different departments to ensure alignment.
Collaborate with Engineers to manage the active network's underlying resources.
Collaborate with stakeholders during the visioning and concept development of a product.

Communicate

Communicate effectively with colleagues and our external partners effectively.
Communicate program goals and status to the client and project team as and when is required.
Communicate project updates to team members and stakeholders.
Communicate urgent issues to Site Planner.
Communicate your passion for digital PR and link acquisition.

Complete

Complete daily check in sheets to report Energy Technician availability.

Conduct

Conduct regular meetings to review project status and performance.
Conduct research and gather relevant information for decision-making.
Conduct risk assessments and develop contingency plans.

Contact

Contact external customers for appointments when necessary.

Coordinate

Coordinate RIDS process with site MRB.
Coordinate SAP notifications for the Power and Storage business unit.
Coordinate technician training requirements for the field work.
Coordinate with stakeholders to gather project specifications.

Create

Create and review project plans and timelines.
Create detailed work schedules and timelines.

Design

Design and launch related marketing partnerships with customers, partners and industry bodies.

Determine

Determine and continuously champion areas of improvement in supply chain coordination.

Develop

Develop and implement strategies to optimize work processes.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and suppliers.
Develop and produce suitable Engineering Design Specification, Engineering Planning Specification.
Develop project plans and define objectives.

Do

Do market research & analysis for marketable IPO and short-list them.

Drive

Drive consistency, quality, suitability and cost effectiveness.
Drive cross-site calls, flagging shortage risks and agree any plan updates.

Engage

Engage cross functionally and escalate issues as required.
Engage with company and client staff to provide the highest levels of value and service.

Ensure

Ensure accuracy and consistency in tone of voice and messaging.
Ensure adherence to RIDS avoidance processes.
Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
Ensure compliance with our engagement methodology and ensure projects deliver with certainty.
Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
Ensure system requirements up to date.
Ensure that a high standard of general housekeeping is maintained on a ‘clean as you go basis'.
Ensure that you maintain client records in Salesforce with accurate, high quality information.
Ensure work is identified to proper equipment in company software applications.

Establish

Establish root-cause (MD vs.

Evaluate

Evaluate and select external vendors or contractors when necessary.
Evaluate project outcomes and identify areas for improvement.

Explain

Explain deviations, and develop strategies to hit target inventory levels.

Flag

Flag substantial changes in demand.

Follow

Follow all Black and McDonald's Quality Management system procedures for work planning.
Follow our competitors and the industry.

Follow-up

Follow-up on open field orders.

Forecast

Forecast Capital Expenses and Operating Expenses for designed infrastructure projects.

Foster

Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the team.
Foster a positive work environment and promote teamwork.

Generate

Generate information to support site D&OP and S&OP meetings as necessary.

Handle

Handle customer complaints or enquiries when appropriate and own the enquiry to completion.

Help

Help to develop, implement and champion CityFibre network elements.

Identify

Identify and drive special projects requested by leadership that require network planning expertise.
Identify and evaluate potential solution options including opportunities and potential risks.
Identify and flag any defects on our network plans and suggest alternative routes.
Identify and helps the client understand the business model, value and value proposition.
Identify and resolve conflicts or issues that may arise.
Identify equipment in a plant that can be effectively used for planning and design.
Identify the processes and information technology required to introduce recommendations.

Implement

Implement quality control measures to ensure project deliverables meet standards.

Incorporate

Incorporate demand for new products / product changes into the plan.

Influence

Influence product strategy, research and content.

Initiate

Initiate cross functional discussion or escalates issues as required.

Interface

Interface and collaborate with all levels of management, from multiple organizations.

Interpret

Interpret design documentation for scope installation.
Interpret design documents for scope installation.

Keep

Keep stakeholders informed about project changes or updates.

Liaise with

Liaise with GES to share latest requirements and ensure sufficient supply of 3rd party bulk / API.
Liaise with markets and FG sites to interrogate and validate demand changes.
Liaise with relevant site areas to minimize impact of site projects on the production plan.

Maintain

Maintain accurate documentation and project records.
Maintain a complete understanding of all functional procedures.
Maintain contact with Energy Technicians throughout the day regarding daily assignments.
Maintain SAP data to ensure validity and accuracy of equipment, maintenance plans and tasks.

Manage

Manage and advise on capacity within the Fibre In The Home city.
Manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
Manage FG / DP / API inventory for assigned brands, monitor monthly levels.
Manage spending to budget and manage cost overrun issues.
Manage the business requirements through the entire change / development lifecycle.

Modify

Modify schedules and / or project plans as necessary and regularly update the project team.

Monitor

Monitor, analyze and provide updates on special initiatives to management team.
Monitor and coordinate activities to manage operational performance to achieve strategic initiatives.
Monitor emergency and pending field orders throughout the day.
Monitor month-on-month demand changes over a rolling 3-12 month horizon for assigned brands.
Monitor Production Attainment, PO's, STO's for locations and supply networks assigned.
Monitor project profitability and cost management.
Monitor project progress and identify potential bottlenecks.
Monitor the supply network for non-optimal set-up.

Motivate

Motivate team members with different roles and expertise to work together to achieve shared targets.

Participate in

Participate and contribute to the development of the 3-5-year Capital Planning roadmap and evolution.
Participate in special projects as and when required.
Participate in the development of the architectural design of new features and enhancements.
Participate in weekly supply governance calls to troubleshoot low stock issues and balance cost vs.

Perform

Perform ad-hoc report analysis.
Perform backlog reviews to identify trends, common issues, repetitive problems and anomalies.

Plan

Plan and coordinate the work activities for Overhead Electrician Specials and / or Area Operators.
Plan to actual replenishment adherence is actively monitored and non-conformance acted upon.
Plan work activities directed at achievement of business plans and business unit objectives.

Prepare

Prepare analysis of distributed supply requirements for cross-site discussion.
Prepare business cases, identifying and validating business benefit to be put forward for proposals.
Prepare progress reports and present findings to management.
Prepare rough cut capacity projections for assigned resources.

Produce

Produce aerial and underground support structure designs and construction permit applications.

Promote

Promote a positive image of the client and their products and services.

Provide

Provide cost estimates to service new residential and business customers.
Provide guidance and support to team members.
Provide input to capacity strategies within the PPDS / SNP Horizons.
Provide monthly campaign reports to clients.
Provide project management over planning initiatives and work practices.
Provide regular assessments and reports of work plan completion and variance.
Provide regular project status and issues for escalation.
Provide support to other stakeholders and groups as required.
Provide work management related training and roll out as required.

Recommend

Recommend and execute strategies for completing annual programmatic maintenance.

Record

Record and report findings and take, or follow-up on, relevant corrective action.

Respond to

Respond to internal and external customer special requests.

Review

Review as-built documentation produced by CityFibre Build Partners.
Review high-level supply requirements for assigned brands across full PP / DS horizon.
Review market supply alerts and PIR for assigned brands.

Schedule

Schedule and coordinate work within departmental budgets.
Schedule and facilitate program initiation, planning and review meetings.

Scope

Scope, develop and revise work packages, procedures, forms and JHA's as necessary.
Scope, develop, and revise work packages, procedures, forms, and JHAs as necessary.

Select

Select or make procurement recommendation for materials.

Set

Set and then ensures targeted inventory levels are maintained (adjusted) by material, by location.

Share urgent issues with Site Planner.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends.
Stay updated with industry trends and best practices.

Support

Support improvements and changes related to the work management process.
Support product briefing, design, partnerships.

Track

Track project expenses and ensure adherence to budgets.
Track, review and communicate bulk / API inventory vs.
Track root causes and prioritize remediation and prevention actions.

Travel

Travel frequently within the assigned area of responsibility.
Travel occasionally to other company locations which may include overnight trips.

Understand

Understand lit fibre services.

Update

Update KPI software to track work completion.
Update Salesforce Notes as directed.

Use

Use a desktop or laptop computer to avoid system errors.
Use cross-site call forum to flag demand signal issues.
Use M1 methodology for issue resolution and promote zero defect culture.

Utilize

Utilize automation and AI to drive a lean operating model.
Utilize project management software and tools effectively.

Work with

Work with all critical stakeholders to ensure alignment with project plans and schedules.
Work with MD team to define and set system parameters in system as required.
Work with network stakeholders to resolve demand signal issues.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Work Planner:

Proficiency in project management methodologies and techniques.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of resource allocation and optimization.
Competence in creating and interpreting project schedules and Gantt charts.
Familiarity with project management software and tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira).
Understanding of budgeting and cost management principles.
Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
Technical expertise in specific industries or sectors.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings or specifications.
Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements.
Proficiency in risk assessment and management techniques.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Competence in change management processes.
Familiarity with quality assurance and control methodologies.
Understanding of procurement processes and vendor management.
Proficiency in using productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
Knowledge of lean management principles and techniques.
Ability to conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses.
Competence in contract management and negotiation.
Understanding of agile project management methodologies.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Work Planner:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong leadership and team management abilities.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
Collaboration and teamwork orientation.
Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Strong critical thinking and analytical abilities.
Customer focus and strong client relationship management skills.

Conclusion

A Work Planner is responsible for coordinating and managing various aspects of projects and operations within a workplace. They require a combination of technical expertise, such as project management methodologies and software proficiency, as well as essential soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. By fulfilling these responsibilities and possessing the required skills, Work Planners contribute significantly to the success of organizations and the achievement of project goals.