A scheduler position is similar to the midfielders position in a soccer game – all the strategies are built on the position. The position determines the success/failure outcome of your project hence a vital and indispensable career path. A scheduler is one who understands the tools and techniques with regards the Critical Path Method of scheduling – who understands how to use it and analyze it. He is familiar with all the techniques and practices of proper scheduling. He knows the proper use of durations, scheduling relationships, lags, constraints, and logic to derive the critical path. He knows about calendars, and code structures, and how to organize a schedule to be a meaningful tool as a report out document for the state of a project. He knows how to update a schedule and how often.
Above Picture: April 2014 Lean 6 Sigma Black Belt Delegates using Minitab 16 to create Regression Model
It is also within the scheduler’s scope of work to use and understand the scheduling software programs like Primavera, MS Project and many others that are available and in use today. Typically a scheduler – in his formative years – takes the information developed by others to create a schedule – he is a data entry person. A scheduler can learn all the necessary skills to be a scheduler – He knows how to read plans, specs, and contracts to determine just what all stakeholders expect of his schedule. He knows how to account for and record delays to the schedule and to analyze the impacts of those delays.
How does one become a scheduler? First one needs to decide if he has the attitude and aptitude for planning – sitting for a long time with your computer analyzing alternatives and manipulating the software engine to achieve your aim. Once you have resolved work-nature aspect, then you need to build capacity so potential employers can take you seriously. It is important to master minimum two Scheduling Software and be totally good with them. You must be ready to invest through training, books and software like any other career worth its salt. According to indeed.com, an average Project Scheduler goes home with 77K USD per annum.
If being a Project Scheduler interests you, you can join PMtutor in a Practical Workshop on Scheduling. Click Scheduler here
