Overview
The programme planner will work with the Head of PMO to develop and build a programme plan with the purpose of documenting all the outcomes of the programme. The role will involve working with Workstream delivery leads to establish, maintain and actively use programme and workstream plans to manage and control programme delivery. This will include documenting key milestones, programme and workstream dependencies, assumptions and constraints and produce all reference documentation. The role will also include working with various delivery leads and/or project managers to ensure that their project plans follow the programme standards and provide the level of details and granularity to manage interdependencies. The role will be responsible for maintaining the programme plan on a dynamic basis.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent and experienced working knowledge of establishing and maintaining programme and project plans and the reporting of progress against plans, along with the use of project planning software e.g., MS Project. The candidate will have excellent organisation and communication skills and be experienced in leading planning sessions using a range of planning techniques.
The role will also involve ensuring the consistent application of the risk management process, ensuring that risks and issues are documented and regularly reviewed, along with adherence to the governance process for reporting and escalation.
Key responsibilities
1. The Programme Planner will be responsible for all programme and workstream (project) planning processes and for the preparation, co-ordination and management of fully integrated programme plan and supporting the preparation of all workstream delivery plans.
2. Working with the Head of PMO they will define the structure and format of the programme plan and work with workstream leads to develop and manage delivery (project) plans, recognising that it could comprise one of more documents depending on the size, need and complexity of the programme, likely to involve developing high level programme and workstreams plans on a page and detailed workstream (project) plans. They will work with the Head of PMO to grow the maturity in the planning process.
3. They will ensure that there is consistency in developing, documenting, and reporting the key elements including key milestones, programme stage gates, assumptions, and dependencies. They will ensure that plans are visible across the programme and are actively used to manage the delivery.
4. The role will ensure that the programme plan and workstream plans answers the why, what, how, how much, who, when, and where questions.
5. The role will work with programme senior management to develop reporting mechanisms and work directly with workstream delivery leads to report progress against plans.
6. The role will ensure that all planning confirms the overall objectives, scope, high level deliverables/product (including acceptance criteria) and success criteria (project KPIs) for the programme and workstreams. Ensuring all constraints, assumptions, dependencies are documented and understood.
7. The planning process will ensure the governance for the programme/workstreams, including the life cycle approach, management controls (reporting and handover mechanism), stage end controls and consistency in applying relevant tools and techniques for planning.
8. The role will ensure that there is a consistent use of forecasting and estimating methodologies that ensure high degree of accuracy and enables the programme office to analyse, track and report actual delivery against time, cost, and quality metrics. This will support the continuous improvement of planning methodologies tools and support to the programme and workstream teams.
9. The role will be responsible for documenting and confirming the project schedule, including developing and maintaining the critical path, milestones. This will involve reporting to Head of PMO on variances and risks to plan by key phases e.g., mobilisation, design, build, test, change management, adoption, and transition.
10. Working with the Head of PMO the role will be responsible for supporting the programme and workstream delivery teams in resource management planning, including developing forward plans. This will involve using forecasting and estimating techniques to ensure the effective management and control of resources and costs and that roles, responsibilities and justification of the resource need are clear and aligned with the programme operating model (POM).
11. The role will document and confirm where the work will be performed – on-shore, offshore, office/face to face, remote or hybrid.
Essential Skills and Experience Required
1. Over 7 years of experience in programme planning with a minimum of 3 years of experience in the PMO function as a planner in a programme with the annual budget of over £25 million
2. Highly proficient in the use of project planning software e.g., MS Project plan and agile software development and implementation tools e.g., JIRA
3. Ability to analyse complex programmes and projects and report information in a range of formats
4. Excellent communication skills, written and oral, and be able to present complex or sensitive information effectively
5. Ability to produce professional quality written documents covering their area of responsibility for various governance forums e.g., the programme board, and the steering board
6. Ability to support teams in breaking down complex delivery into manageable work packages and activities.
7. Ability to effectively lead and support teams using a range of methodologies in planning
8. Knowledge and experience in applying risk management processes and in supporting others to apply risk management methodologies
9. Able to work to deadlines and under pressure in a rapidly changing environment
10. A self-starter who can work independently within a set of guiding principles
11. This is not a co-ordination or theoretical planner role
12. The role requires an outcome focus to deliver credible project and integrated programme plans within the intent of project management frameworks, while bringing creativity and innovation
13. Proficient skills in the use of MS office products, SharePoint and MS project
14. Able to manage competing and conflicting demands and balancing priorities to respond to the changes in service demand
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