Primavera P6 is a widely-used professional project management software product. It’s also the key to getting a job as a P6 scheduler. In this article, we’ll look at some of the skills you’ll need to land a new career or take the next step towards a role as a scheduler using Oracle Primavera P6.
Project management is booming at the moment. While the economy at the time of writing isn’t exactly the best we’ve ever seen, there are lots of project roles around. Globally, the market for project and program professionals is expanding and there continues to be high demand for people with the right skills.
It is a great time to be moving into project and program management, or looking for your next role as an experienced professional. The role of the scheduler is a very specific position. Many small and medium sized companies would not have dedicated schedulers. However, large scale engineering, aerospace and defense projects do require project schedulers on staff. These are people who know how to drive Primavera P6 and can create and manage the complex schedules required for programs.
It’s a skilled role, working alongside the project manager and seeking input from the resources on the team. You’ll be under pressure to make sure the schedule is accurate and updated with latest performance data. You’ll have the responsibility for providing updates to the PMO and creating data for reporting. You’ll also be at the frontline of identifying performance trends because you’ll see the schedule change in real time.
The role of a P6 schedule (also known as a project planner) carries a lot of responsibility but it’s also very flexible. With the right tech, you can work from pretty much anywhere.
Education
To become a P6 scheduler, we would recommend a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. It’s not a requirement for every employer. If you have project management or PMO experience, that could be as relevant (or even more relevant) for some recruiters.
Start checking the job listings for P6 scheduler jobs near you and see what kind of educational background they require. That will help you decide on what industry to apply for, or whether you meet the minimum specifications for the role at all at this point in your career path.
If you don’t have a project management certification, and have the opportunity to get one, it will help show recruiters you are serious about project and program management as a career.
Scheduling skills
The most important skill for a P6 scheduler is to be able to create schedules in Primavera P6! Employers may give you a skills test as part of the recruitment process so you’ll need more than theoretical knowledge. Our training courses give you practical experience in using the tool so you can build your hands-on skills in a realistic environment with case studies.
There is a lot to learn with Primavera P6, which is why we offer a range of Primavera P6 classes aimed at all abilities.
Experienced schedulers – people you may be competing with for the job – are able to use the advanced features in the tool such as scenario planning, what if analysis, schedule delay analysis, custom fields and more. You’ll want to be confident with the following:
- Creating a work breakdown structure
- Creating an organizational breakdown structure
- Setting up new projects, adding activities in multiple activity types and creating Gantt charts and critical paths from the data
- Adding and assigning resources and understanding resource reports so allocations can be adjusted if required
- Working with dependencies and constraints
- Creating baselines and tracking actual performance against the baseline
- Managing financial aspects of scheduling such as expense costs, resource costs, and creating a cost-loaded schedule.
In addition, you simply want to feel comfortable using the product. You should be able to navigate around, know what’s in each menu option, and use the system help when you need to.
Additional skills
In addition to your technical ability to use Primavera P6 as a power user, it’s important to have a broad range of other project management skills. For example:
- Understanding different project management methodologies and how these relate to the schedule
- Dependency management
- Communication skills
- Risk management
- Data analysis, data management and reporting.
All these will help you understand the context of the project. Practical project management experience will give you these, or you can take a course.
Earned value analysis
Schedulers on large scale projects often work in earned value management environments as the contracts demand compliance with project performance management techniques. Learning earned value will help you understand how schedule management is a crucial part of project control. You’ll be able to contribute to the EV analysis, reporting and performance management through your work as a P6 scheduler.
Note that many commercially-available training courses for earned value management are aimed at project managers who don’t necessarily work in government environments, or for organizations where EVM compliance is an issue. Make sure that any training or study you do is relevant if you are aiming for a job where EIA-748 is a requirement.
We’re supportive of any professional training: you’ll learn something from every course you take! If you have a limited budget and limited time, be sure invest in earned value management training that aligns to the requirements you’ll have in your new job as a scheduler.
Get that job!
Finally, when you feel that your skills and experience matches that of what you see in Primavera P6 job adverts, start applying. To be honest, you can apply for roles even before you have in-depth knowledge, because many organizations recruit at different levels. You could secure a more junior position and learn on the job, moving into a more senior role when you have gained more experience.
Primavera P6 scheduling roles are secure, well-paid and a valuable part of any program management team. We wish you every success with finding the role of your dreams!