Thursday, 2 August 2012

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.

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

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

The evening of the 12th 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 11th & 12th 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

Monday, 9 July 2012

Last Minute Reminder and Details ...

This is just a reminder email that the Planning and Scheduling Symposium and Awards is on Thursday 12th 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!

Thursday, 28 June 2012

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.

Friday, 15 June 2012

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

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

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

Friday, 18 May 2012

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

Sunday, 13 May 2012

University of Birmingham to Sponsor Symposium




We are delighted that the University of Birmingham will be a sponsor at the Symposium on the 12th July 2012.

The University offer a MSc in Industrial Project Management. This is a 3-year part-time course offered by The University of Birmingham in conjunction with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The course is developed with the continuing professional development (CPD) of practicing project managers in mind.
Course content is industry focused, covering areas such as Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Construction, Pharmaceuticals and Oil and Gas. Course delivery will be by academic staff alongside experienced industry project managers.

The course covers both the theory and practical application of Project Management principles, practices and tools, demonstrated using real scenarios and exercises. Students will gain both understanding and competence in applying best practice methods and techniques.

The course is modular in structure with nine intensive modules spread over two years (120 credits taught material) and a major project in the third year (60 credits). The first two years are made up of 4-5 taught modules per year. Each module is a mix of theory, practical example and coursework. Each module requires around 3 days of classroom tuition. The third year is a major project on an in-depth industrial project, managed using the principles and tools taught in the earlier two years.

For more information, visit http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/

Or come and see them, lots of other exhibitors and educational speakers at the Symposium Register Here its FREE to attend!!

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Paul Bamforth of Asta Development to Speak at Symposium



Paul BamforthWe are delighted to announce that Paul Bamforth, Managing Director of Asta Development  will be presenting at the Planning and Scheduling Symposium on the 12th July.

His presentation will be entitled: 

Is Building Time into BIM a Key to Success?

Every firm in construction is watching the approach of BIM with huge interest. BIM, or building information modelling, is a crucial part of the construction strategy through which the government seeks to create high-impact changes within this vital British industry. It wants construction to follow through on its promises better, deliver greater value for money, contribute to environmental goals and ensure that its end products are fit for purpose. As a software provider to firms across the industry we, like everyone else, are working to understand what responsibilities it places on us and the new challenges it will create.

It is clear that the debate about what BIM is, and what it will take to deliver the vision of a communicating, sharing and well integrated construction industry, will continue - because BIM is here to stay. It is raising questions about what new industry dynamics will mean for different players, activities and roles. The government's purpose is to create alignment of interest between the parties that conceive and design buildings through to those that ultimately occupy and manage them. It is a holistic approach, which seeks to integrate project delivery in a somewhat similar way as do the principles of lean construction, driving out costs and inefficiencies, and focusing on customer needs

Join us on the 12th to hear Paul and many other speakers:  Register Here

Tuesday, 24 April 2012

HIstoric Venue: The Brewery London


We are delighted to be hosting the Symposium and the Planning and Scheduling Awards at The Brewery in London

The Brewery occupies the site of the former Whitbread brewery in East London.

In 1750 Samuel Whitbread, having bought property in the area, transplanted his operations to Chiswell Street from two smaller breweries in Old Street and Brick Lane. 

Within a few years Whitbread’s brewery had become a vast operation, its sheer size making it an attraction worthy of royal visits. George III, Queen Charlotte, Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth the Queen Mother all visited the site.

Brewing on the site continued until 1976, the last tanker pulling out of the South Yard on April 13, bringing to an end a 225-year era.

The Brewery is now the premier event and fine dining venue in the City of London, from the extravagant to the discreet, for hundreds of customers or for a handful. Their aim is to carry on the proud tradition of the Whitbread Brewery, which has been at the heart of entertainment in London since the era of Lords Nelson and Byron.

They bring together a special team of talented experts in the fields of venue management, event production, fine dining and customer service, they are proud to offer a unique and flexible environment for almost any kind of event.

Come and experience this amazing place.  The Symposium and Exhibition during the day followed by Prestigious Planning Gala Awards Dinner in the Evening.

Book for the Symposium HERE  (Free)
Book for the Awards Dinner EMAIL US HERE (£100 per head)
Nominate a colleague for a Planninig Award  HERE

Friday, 20 April 2012

Sweet & Maxwell to sponsor Symposium

Sweet & Maxwell a Thomson Reuters Business


Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. They combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs approximately 60,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to http://www.thomsonreuters.com/

At the Symposium on the 12th July they will be showcasing their new publication: Delay and Disruption in Construction Contracts by Keith Pickavance.  Delay and disruption is the most common cause of cost
increases on complex construction projects. Delay and Disruption in Construction Contracts provides real
solutions and practical advice on problems likely to occur, helping business or clients to save time and money
  • Covers each potential stage of delay and disruption on your project
  • Completely revised, updated and expanded
  • Guidance for anyone with projects subject to delay and disruption

 “BY FAR THE MOST THOROUGH TREATMENT IN THE COMMON LAW WORLD OF HOW TO ANALYSE DELAY AND DISRUPTION”Robert Fenwick-Elliott, Fenwick Elliott Grace, Australian Construction law Newsletter.


 Get your copy at the Symposium  - more details HERE

Thursday, 12 April 2012

Rob Coultard of The Judgement Index to present at Symposium

Rob Coulthard is the Managing Director of Judgement Index UK Ltd. He is an experienced leadership consultant, trainer and coach.  Having left the Army following a full and colourful career he set up Judgement Index UK Ltd in tandem with his USA business associates and now works globally utilising the Judgement Index to support the analyse, coaching and  facilitation of high performance development across a range of sectors which include corporate, government, military and sport

At the Planning and Scheduling Symposium he will be presenting: Project Planners and their unique value based judgements - a new approach to selection and development.

Assumptions of performance are typically based on knowledge and experience.  Personality and psychometric test are also often used in attempting to predict performance but, whatever the measuring criteria; a crucial factor influencing either success or failure of any project is judgement.

Judgement involves much more than simply making decisions.  Our own individual judgement is being continuously formed, shaped and developed as we grow.   The change may be good or bad and it affects our values.   Our judgement and our values influence our behaviour, choices and decisions.  Judgment is a critical part of decision making, problem solving and interacting with one’s environment. 

If judgement is a key factor in predicting success how can project planners benefit from measuring and developing their respective value based judgement?  Additionally could this be an effective means of improving their professional development and in their future employability?   If we can measure a set of value based judgements that have been benchmarked against actual performance indicators in a robust capability framework then we can predict future performance capacity and key factors for development.

We will consider over 70 different indicators as we develop this initiative and they will include factors of judgement such as:  people skills, task and process ability, strategic capacity and even stress and energy issues that often block or degrade learning and performance.

Project Planners – Are they different?
Over the past 3 years work and research has been in progress to determine the value based judgements of those who work within the project field.  This has included identifying common traits within high performers and mapping specific judgement indicators against the capability frameworks produced by the Academy for Project Management at Leeds University. The results have given a unique insight to specific qualities that a Project Planner will possess and which can be developed.  Not only will this facilitate the ability to predict performance but it will also highlight areas for development in a very precise way, which makes the material an essential part of the development toolkit for project planners.  Not surprisingly the profile and capability framework will be subtly different from those of a Project Manager or other role within the sector. Project Planners will be unique and require a unique approach to development and hiring consideration.

Capability Frameworks and Judgement Indicator Mapping
A capability framework identifies the finite detail of those capability areas required to perform within a specific role.  If we take ‘Team and Collaborative Working’ as an example and then break that down into different human factors that make up the capability, we could find indicators that stretch beyond the typical ‘People Skill’ evaluation areas.  These could include factors such as energy to deal with difficult situations, work ethic etc. 
Having the means to identify and measure the key components that impact on the performance of that capability provides us with a great opportunity to improve an individual’s or a team’s capability with appropriate intervention, as well as calculating the risk in recruiting specific individuals.

What and Who – Judgement Index™
Judgement Index (UK) has taken the best practices and research developed over the past 40 years by its USA partners and translated them into research studies and development tools in a range of environments within the UK including Government, Corporate, Sport and Military.  Our material and training is supported by a highly qualified group of academics and trainers who have unique experience in the understanding and application of ‘Value Based Judgement’.  The Judgement Index provides usable information and processes for predicting performance and developing areas of weakness and risk. 

What is the Judgment Index?  It was researched and created by Nobel nominated Dr Robert Hartman and is a tool that enables the measurement, monitoring and improving, in quantifiable terms, an individual’s capacity for good judgement.  It works by asking an individual, based on their unique personal value system, to rank two sets of 18 selections from best to worst.  Even though it only takes about 15 minutes to complete, the logic and mathematics used to score the Index are highly sophisticated.  The resulting assessment creates 70 plus indicator patterns that are used to identify strengths or areas in need of development. 

What does the Judgement Index measure?   Data can easily be sifted to highlight the key relevant attributes for specific roles: project planners, managers or leaders.  The assessments of individuals who are top performers will be similar in any social setting, whereas the assessments of individuals or groups who are experiencing work stress, personal stress, job dissatisfaction or who may be a risk within a given environment will highlight the potential problem issues.

Who should try the Judgement Index?
Those project planners who are conscious and strong enough to look deep inside them for the purpose of raising self-awareness.

Those project planners who wish to have their value based judgement indictors measured against a framework that matches the very best in their sector. 

Those project planners who seek cutting edge material and support from which to develop themselves towards the performance standards that elite Project Planners achieve.

Those Project Planners who believe they have what it takes to succeed and are motivated and creative enough to invest in themselves.