What did the winners have to say about The Planning & Scheduling event of the year?

Dan Patterson of Acumen - Winner of Innovation of the Year:

The awards:  "Invention is to create, innovation is to make better. We are honoured to be recognized as an innovative company and will continue to push the boundaries to help better the project management community."

The Symposium: "I am very pleased to have been part of the prestigious group of attendees at the 2012 Planning & Scheduling Symposium.  As a first time attendee I was extremely impressed by the organization and professionalism of the event.  I am looking forward to attending again next year."

Ray Clarke from Network Rail's Access Planning Team - Winners of Planning Team of the Year:

I would like to thank both Athena for arranging this event and the Judging panel for their endorsement of the complex and challenging nature of planning engineering works on an operational railway, which so often goes unnoticed when it all goes to plan. The night was a fantastic show piece for a critical branch of Project Management which is so very often overlooked. The event was a fantastic cross industry celebration of good project management, which of course means , good planning and scheduling. To have won the team award, which I see as the Blue Riband award , is such a fantastic boost to the team , both locally and across the programme. We are of course hoping that we can continue to repeat this level of success to ensure we get invited next year. A brilliant night with all the awards going to all the deserving winners.

Rob Knox – Junior Planner of the Year Winner:

The Planning and Scheduling Awards 2012 presented an excellent opportunity to meet with new like minded individuals from various industries and organisations and gain valuable exposure to the different elements of Planning & Project Controls. This was achieved via general conversation, as well as meeting with some of the many representatives during the daytime symposium; like the ECITB who gave me a great insight into potential further Project Controls qualifications going forward.

Prior to joining AMEC I wasn’t aware of a clear career path in Project Controls.
However during my time here I have seen this path develop significantly. With the huge investment and improvements in terms of systems and processes being used across the company my focus has been drawn more and more to pursuing a career in Project Controls.  Moreover I have been provided with great experience during my time with AMEC both from an Onshore and Offshore perspective which has given me a clearer understanding of the fundamentals and importance of Project Controls and allowed me to contribute effectively on the different projects I  have been involved in. 

Personally I feel that the Planning and Scheduling awards are complimentary to the above in recognising the achievement of the Project Controls Community.  This event provides a positive mechanism in terms of encouraging more people to pursue a career in these key areas as well as promoting best practice. All in all this event can only result in positivity and progression in terms of Planning & Project Controls going forward and will help to highlight the key career opportunities as well as providing the companies and nominees the recognition that they deserve.

I look forward to supporting this event in the coming years and Thank You once again for the recognition in winning Junior Planner of the Year 2012.

The Planning Community Recognise Excellence in Planning, Scheduling and Project Controls at Gala Awards Dinner

The evening of the 12^th July saw the inaugural Planning & Scheduling Awards event at the Brewery in London.   Hosted by Athena Project Services the Gala Awards evening came at the end of the Planning & Scheduling Symposium which was an exhibition and networking conference focussing on the technology advancements within the planning and scheduling environment today.

Athena Project Services, who are providers of expert planning, scheduling and project control services wanted to recognise and celebrate the efforts of planners and their teams engaged in this key discipline.   The esteemed judging panel included representatives from the University of Leeds, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, European Construction Institute, Institute of Civil Engineers, The Association for Project Management, Association of Cost Engineers, Construction Skills, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympics and the Major Projects Association.   The nominees were asked initially to prepare a written submission and then to present to the Judging panel on the 11^th & 12^th of June from which the judges produced their short list for the evening.

The evening was introduced by David Tyerman, Managing Director of Athena Project Services and was followed by a key note speech by The Honourable Mr Justice Ramsey.   Ricky Jervais look alike Tim Oliver entertained and introduced each of the awards which gave a great mix of fun but seriousness to the presentations.

The awards were as follows:

Specialist Planner of the Year:     Paul Barnes from Network Rail

Outage Planner of the Year:     

David Williams from Network Rail. Project Name: Slough IECC Relock/Recontrol - presented by Prof. Denise Bower of Leeds University

Planning Innovation of the Year: 

Dan Patterson from Acumen. Project Name: Acumen Fuse - presented by Theo D'Orgee of Planning Planet

Planning Team of the Year:      

The Access Planning Team from Network Rail represented by Ray Clarke -  Project Name: Reading Station Area Redevelopment/Christmas Blockades - presented by Gary France of the Planning Engineers Organisation

Junior Planner of the Year :   

Rob Knox from AMEC Project Name: North Everest 2011/2012 Flotel Campaign - presented by Paul Bamforth of Asta

Planner of the Year:      

David Elder from Mace. Project Name: Shard - presented by David Tyerman

David Tyerman, Managing Director of Athena Project Services said “ We would like to congratulate all the winners and also the companies that were short listed.  There was an exceptionally high standard of nominees which illustrates the quality of the planners and planning teams within organisations.  We are delighted to be able to recognise and award such skills and look forward to making the Planning & Scheduling Awards an annual event”

Full details on the winners and their projects can be found on the Planning & Scheduling Awards Website. 

Last Minute Reminder and Details ...

This is just a reminder email that the Planning and Scheduling Symposium and Awards is on Thursday 12^th July and you have registered online as a FREE day delegate!

Your badge will be available on arrival, registration is from 8.30 – 9.40am.

The conference line up is superb and our exhibitor line up is excellent!  Please do ensure you meet with everyone at their stands and learn what they can do to help you and your business!

The full conference agenda with timings and topics can be viewed here and the web site has more details on the speakers and their professional backgrounds – and our Special Guest Speaker is Alex Hibbert, author of The Long Haul and polar explorer who will tell you what planning, scheduling and risk assessment is required in his line of work !

The web site has full details and it is still possible to register colleagues and customers for the FREE Symposium!  Just click here

Many of you will be attending the evening Awards Dinner as well, bookings for this are now closed and remember it is black-tie!

Only Two Weeks to go - Update and Useful Dates

Only 2 weeks until The Planning & Scheduling Awards and Symposium - THE Occasion on 12 July 2012 to recognise and celebrate excellence in the planning, scheduling and project controls community!

Award nominations are closed and the short-listed companies with individuals or teams are (in alphabetical order):

A-One+ * Acumen * Adept Management * AMEC * Canary Wharf Contractors * Doosan Power Systems * Driver Group * EC Harris * Galliford Try * Mace Group * Network Rail * Transport for London

Winners will be announced at the evening Awards Dinner on 12 July at The Brewery!  The evening is packed with great food, speakers and entertainment!  Click here view the Agenda and book your table!

Deadline to book tables or individual tickets is 29 June!

The daytime Symposium comprises an educational and motivational conference line-up and exhibition.

Professionals will be speaking on best practices, case studies and solutions for our industry and we are also delighted to have Alex Hibbert, who holds the world record, along with teammate George Bullard, for the longest fully unsupported polar expedition in history, as our Special Guest Speaker! 

Deadline to sign up as a delegate is 6 July !

Delegate rate is FREE for the conference and parallel exhibition 
Register online now to secure your place!

Join our  Planning & Scheduling Group on Linkedin to meet other delegates that are coming to the event.  Or join the discussion on Twitter   #planningawards  #planningsymposium.

Planning & Scheduling Awards: Nominee Short List Announced

After two days of tireless work from our judging panel we are delighted to announce the companies with teams nominated for the Planning & Scheduling Awards that have been short-listed:  In alphabetcial order they are as follows:

• A-One+
• Acumen
• Adept Management
• AMEC
• Canary Wharf Contractors
• Doosan Power Systems
• Driver Group
• EC Harris
• Galliford Try
• Mace Group
• Network Rail
• Transport for London

We wish them all the best of luck and the final results will be announced at the Gala Awards Dinner on the 12th July, 2012 following the Planning & Scheduling Symposium.

There are still places available to attend the Symposium  Register Here  or the Gala Awards Dinner, for more information Click Here

Record breaking polar expedition leader, Alex Hibbert confirmed as Guest Speaker

We are absolutely delighted that Alex Hibbert,  record breaking polar expedition leader will be joining us at the Planning and Scheduling Symposium as our guest speaker after lunch.  Alex holds the record, along with teammate George Bullard, for the longest fully unsupported polar expedition in history.  An Oxford graduate, Alex led the Tiso 2008 Trans-Greenland Expedition trekking 1374 miles over 113 days over tough arctic terrain without support of any kind.

Alex’s first book, The Long Haul, published by Tricorn Books, was published in March 2010 and tells the gripping story of the 2008 Tiso Trans-Greenland Expedition.  The expedition was long and dangerous:  it would take the only suitable aeroplane in Greenland a week to pick them up in case of an emergency. They survived hidden crevasses with weak snow bridges and travelled for three weeks in a complete white out. One of Alex’s skis broke and a food depot was destroyed in one of the many ravaging storms. They survived the last ten days of their expedition on a single biscuit. The expedition chartered a new route from the Nagtivit glacier on the east coast of Greenland to Baffin Bay on the west coast. 

Preparation and planning were key.  Also, Alex chose his teammate George Bullard very carefully. He needed someone capable of enduring long periods of physical exertion as well as boredom - and most importantly someone of good, stable character.  

Alex is able to speak to audiences in a compelling and meaningful way.  Many of the challenges he has faced are relevant to business and young entrepreneurs today.  His attributes and messages include:

• Champion of traditional polar expedition techniques – a purist
• Author of ‘The Long Haul’ – no ghost writer
• Accomplished photographer with Getty Images
• Intellectual – thinking you way out of dangerous and arduous situations
• Making relationships work in challenging conditions – conflict resolution
• Maintaining integrity under stress
• Coping psychologically with endurance situations
• Risk assessment

Alex Hibbert grew up in Hampshire and graduated from St. Hugh's Oxford with a degree in biology.   After first passing selection at 16 years old, Alex joined the 2008 Royal Marines Young Officer Batch. Alex is becoming an accomplished speaker and has addressed the Oxford University Exploration Club and was a featured speaker at the 2010 Adventure Travel Show in London. Alex is a qualified polar guide. 

'Your talk was gripping!' - Cee Weston-Baker, Pan Macmillan Publishing

'Thank you for your fabulous presentation last night. The people enjoyed it very much.' - Sue Lupton Consulting

'Those looking outside their own organisations for inspiration would do well to rally behind this man’s vision and be a part of something that has magic in it.' - Pen Hadow, polar explorer

'Alex not only gave an inspirational talk, he is also evidence that the spirit of genuine polar exploration is alive
and well. His willingness to share his experience and advice for young enthusiasts was especially gracious.' - Dr Ed Russell, Eton College

'Alex is a captivating and compelling speaker, rarely have we had an audience as engrossed as when Alex told of his expedition. The tale of his daring, record setting, and endurance is one not to be missed.' - Ginny Howells, President of OUEC

Join us and Alex on the 12th July at the Symposium - Register for FREE Here

Gerald Bradley, Sigma Consulting to speak at Symposium

We are delighted to announce that Gerald Bradley, Chairman, of  Sigma Consulting will be speaking at the Planning and Scheduling Symposium, 12th July 2012, London

Gerald has more than 30 years’ experience of working with Senior Management from major organisations in generating business value from investment in change. He was instrumental in formulating sigma’s methodology for identifying, managing and capturing benefits from business driven change, in particular where information and information-related activities are key components.

Gerald is a highly respected management consultant and educationalist, regularly presenting concepts for identifying, managing and capturing benefits from portfolios, programmes and projects.

At the symposium Gerald will be presenting:

Creating and sustaining value (from projects and programmes) in today’s environment
This session shows how Portfolio Management, Value Management and Benefit Realisation fit together. And then explores how this trio enables proactive and powerful strategic change – ‘fit for purpose’ in the current economic climate.


Why not take some important messages back to your key stakeholders to influence them in optimising your organisation’s portfolio and ensuring that all programmes and projects deliver real business value. Learn what tools you can use to give them the best information to make those benefit-led portfolio decisions.

This focused session explores the practical assessment and application of Benefit Delivery Confidence to support change leaders at all levels.

Register now for FREE for the Symposium.  An educational and inspiring Project and Scheduling event.  Register Here

A full programme of speakers - see ALL