ME and the Planner/Scheduler Function

Manufacturing and Facility maintenance organizations everywhere struggle with the challenge of
providing operational capacity for their company or organization. Maintenance strives to
accomplish this by increasing the reliability of the equipment or process through effective
Preventive Maintenance and effective material and labor budget utilization.
The best way to accomplish these efforts is through effective planning and scheduling. Qualified
Planner/Schedulers in a proactive, mature, structured, and disciplined maintenance organization
can greatly impact the success of meeting these challenges. It has been stated and well
documented by many companies that every hour of effective planning pays back three to five
hours in maintenance technician time saved or the equivalent savings in materials and/or
operational downtime.
However, many maintenance organizations fail to realize this payback from their planner groups.
Why is this so? There are many contributing factors to this. The first is the lack of support from
the entire organization to the role of planning and scheduling. This lack of support can be
manifested in various ways.
1. Planning and scheduling is not accepted as one of the three core functions of
maintenance.
2. The planning and scheduling function is to low in the maintenance organization resulting
in little support when key decisions are required.
3. The role is not staffed as a management position, and compensation is just above that of a
day shift maintenance technician.
4. The planner function is viewed as a fill-in position for supervisors or when additional
maintenance labor is needed for peak times or shutdowns.
5. The planner function is used as a parts expediter, an emergency procurement gofer.
6. Any other responsibility management doesnt have a clear fit for.
In order for planning groups to be effective, contribute to the overall success, and impact
capacity, the role and importance of the planning function has to be communicated and
supported by the management.
The second factor is the quality/caliber of the individual performing the planner/scheduler
function. The person has to have the technical background of maintenance and a proactive
maintenance mind set. Reactive, fire fighter, drop everything to save the day attitudes do
not work in an effective planning group. True planner/schedulers work in the Next Week and
beyond time frame. Effective planners are passionate for their role as well as structured and
methodical in their thought and work processes. The selection process for the right
planner/scheduler should be as detailed and comprehensive as for any managerial position. The
4360 Corporate Road Charleston, SC 29405-7445 843.744.7110 www.LCE.com
Life Cycle Engineering

selection should not be solely by seniority and definitely not a dumping spot for someone that
doesnt fit anywhere else in the organization.
The third factor is the type and amount of training planner/schedulers receive. Newly hired
planners that have met the basic requirements of the position can become unmotivated quickly if
left to fend for themselves. Bad habits and work practices will become part of their routines as
well. Training on the roles and responsibilities of planners, the CMMS, purchase requisitions,
and workflow have to be conducted as part of new planner orientation. Instilling Best
Practices in each area is essential to the success of the planner group. Continuing education
and training is required in order to maintain proficiencies in their technical/trade backgrounds as
well as staying up to date on latest technology to support the organization.
As maintenance organizations evaluate their ability to provide the operational capacity, they
should not fail to evaluate how well the planning function is being supported. Do they have the
full support and commitment to focus specifically on planning and scheduling? Are the
planner/schedulers the best qualified for the position, and are they sufficiently trained to perform
their jobs effectively and efficiently?
How well is your planner/scheduler group functioning?

For More Information:

Tim Kister
Senior Consultant
Life Cycle Engineering
tkister@LCE.com
843.744.7110 x250

4360 Corporate Road Charleston, SC 29405-7445 843.744.7110 www.LCE.com

Life Cycle Engineering