Schrödinger is best known for a thought experiment in which a hypothetical cat could be considered both dead and alive within a box with a radioactive isotope as its fate is linked to a random subatomic event which may or may not occur. I like to use the Schrödinger analogy on projects where a programme…
This might sound like a stupid question but oddly seems to be a contentious discussion point depending on who I’m talking to. I’ve heard: “We don’t even look at that mate” “We only do a programme because the contract says to” and “What’s the point, it’s all going to change tomorrow anyway”. These are the…
On most occasions planning software will be dictated within the contract. If it isn’t then your free to choose which software is used for the project. Despite being able to use multiple planning software I certainly have my own preference but understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each software is important. It’s also important to…
Collaboration is a word that is banded around widely in the construction industry. In principal it’s a great idea and some contracts such as the NEC suite encourage it. Collaboration does not mean that either party should dismiss their obligations under the contract, it should be done on top of the contract requirement. Something that…
Most things in the modern world will either come with an efficiency rating or a way of reading efficiency, whether that is mpg in your car or energy usage on a smart meter. There are so many ways to measure efficiencies but how often do we take a step back and measure how efficient site…
As much as I’d like to be writing about classic time travel films such as Back to the Future or The Terminator I’m talking programmes, and programme reviews. The important part here is the Data Date. This is the point at which the programme is most relevant. Think of it as a snapshot at that…
Sometimes you can have the best plan in the world but it at the end of the day, if it can’t be read and understood by the delivery team then unfortunately its not worth the paper it’s written on. A planner does not deliver the project. The delivery team do and its the planners role…
Links drive the programme, collectively they are know as Logic. Without links, planning software would not know the relationships between activities and the scheduling calculations would be useless. Accurate and correct logic links within a programme are therefore paramount to its robustness. Links can be placed on activities for a number of reasons for example…
Information is powerful. Misinformation is Dangerous. If were talking about project controls then the metrics we use to measure the project need to be reliable and accurate. I’ve seen many large schemes have metrics which are easily manipulated to meet the targets which have been set. Which is more important, meeting the target or reporting…
Regardless of your contract type a programme will be a requirement. Some forms of contract base more onus on the programme than others with NEC being probably the most programme centred contract types. If the contract didn’t require a programme would you change anything about your planning practices? If so then maybe your missing the…
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