In today's business landscape, where continuous improvement and productivity gains are paramount, organizations are increasingly focused on maximizing the value of every dollar spent. To achieve this, it's essential to identify where and how productivity can be enhanced.

A critical mindset shift is needed: moving from viewing 'Planning and Scheduling' as a single step to recognizing them as distinct, yet equally important, processes—Planning first, then Scheduling. Both steps are crucial, and each must be executed effectively. However, despite their importance, there is currently no formal qualification specifically for maintenance planners and schedulers.

The 90-minute masterclass (below) delves into the creation of a comprehensive policy for deploying maintenance planners within industrial environments. The aim is to provide clear guidance on how to ensure that the objectives of effective planning are met by maintenance teams within operational settings.

The proposed policy outlines the objectives that planners should achieve and offers a strategy detailing how these objectives can be met. This strategy clarifies the expectations for both planners and the stakeholders who benefit from their services, ensuring everyone is aligned.

Key elements of the strategy include:

• Process Requirements: Defining the necessary steps and procedures to achieve effective planning.
• Interface Management: Establishing clear communication and collaboration between planners and other stakeholders.
• Personal Requirements and Competencies: Identifying the skills and qualifications that a planner should possess.
• Checklists for Internal Review: Providing a comprehensive list of requirements that need to be met to ensure the effective deployment of planners.

This masterclass also explores the potential for establishing a formal qualification for maintenance planners within the Australian Nationally Accredited framework. This would involve the development of a registered and accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) course under the national regulatory body, providing a pathway to officially recognize and standardize the competencies required for this critical role.

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This masterclass is delivered by Asset Schools trainer: Peter Durrant, Covaris.