What does a planning specialist do?

A Planning Specialist is responsible for developing project schedules, managing resources, and ensuring timely completion within budget. They track progress, adjust plans as needed, mitigate risks, and coordinate with teams to keep the project on track while providing regular updates to stakeholders.

All that is true. But a planner is more of a choreographer. All the above are either inputs or outputs to the planning process. Leadership provides the guidance and goals, and the limits as to available resources. The planner has to be able to take those inputs, and more, and set up a comprehensive projection and architecture of what resources are needed when, in what order, where, to be used by who. That projection includes the roadmap for moving toward the vision that leadership provided. That road map includes the schedule for building or attaining each part of the vision with clear indices as to which parts are pursued concurrently or sequentially, discreetly or incoordination with other parts, and when and how parts come together.

But not all planners perform the monitor (T&E / QC) role. Where the planner does not, it is critical that the plans provided include not just the performance measures to be used by the production or leadership teams but also the upper and lower acceptable limits for each measure to be used in T&E / QC. Ideally, the planner also provides prioritized alternatives that can be adopted / adapted relatively quickly, once resourced, for when breaching the limits of a given performance measure cannot be avoided. To include these alternatives, the planner must consider the potential for an inability to complete any given increment of the plan whether due to late or non-arrival of resources, changes in the business environment, or something else.

From my experience, it's important to pay attention to what program, service, etc. the Planner position is for. In addition to have the required education and knowledge/skills needed to perform the role, having experience, skills, knowledge, etc. will make you stand out more. For example, I am a program planner for mental health services, and there were others who were as qualified or more so when it came to basic skills needed to a planning role. I was told later than I was chosen in part by my experience with mental health and working in the mental health system. In other words, try to find the jobs that you would consider your "niche" or in an area/field you're familiar with.

A Planning Specialist typically needs a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field, (in India better take a degree from NICMAR) along with several years of project planning experience. Proficiency in scheduling tools like Microsoft Project or Primavera P6 is essential. Strong analytical skills, communication abilities, and experience managing resources are also required. Optional certifications like PMP or Primavera P6 can be an added advantage.

For a planning person working in India, it's important to understand local regulations, labor laws, and construction standards. Effective communication with on-site teams, especially in multiple languages, can be crucial. Familiarity with tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project is essential, while being adaptable to local challenges such as supply chain delays or environmental factors.

I suggest taking the time whenever possible to learn about the different programs and software you'll be using. This could be as simple as watching videos and reading online articles on how to utilized Excel effectively. Most of the time if I don't know the answer I Google it and learn quite a bit, such as how to use VBA programming. Unless warned against it, don't be afraid to try things out? Not sure how to do something in Word or PowerPoint? Open a new document to practice and click on buttons, explore menus, try out different settings.

A planning specialist coordinates and optimizes project schedules. In renewable energy, for subsea/offshore wind, they plan installation phases; for grid compliance, they schedule feasibility studies ensuring regulatory adherence; in manufacturing, they plan production timelines; for battery storage, they coordinate construction phases, ensuring seamless integration. Their role is crucial for timely and efficient project execution.

A planner needs to be able to see through other's eyes and appreciate other's perspectives. A broad background across multiple fields helps the planner in translating the very specific and detailed inputs from the many subject matter experts into the comprehensive product that can be readily understood by everyone whose approval is required to move forward; as well as by those who will then have to execute it.