"I would describe my role as a link between project management, production, and design. Essentially, my job is about managing information flows and creating understanding and ownership throughout the organization," says Marcus Larsson, Deputy Lead Planner in project E05 Korsvägen, Large Civil Projects (LCP).  

Larsson's responsibilities include administering the overall production schedule for E05 Korsvägen, a task that involves coordinating multiple sub-projects across different geographical areas. His primary focus right now is on production planning that requires synchronization between various areas and disciplines where everyone is affected by each other's work.  

 "It is not about having the answers. Rather, it is about working with the team, fostering involvement and solving issues together. It is a great feeling when you can lead a group of people with a common problem to a solution that works for everyone. It creates a team spirit that is hard to put into words" he reflects. 

Scheduling challenges in large projects  

One of the unique aspects of E05 Korsvägen is that the design process runs in parallel with construction. This means that drawings and plans are developed and changed in parallel with the ongoing construction work. This iterative process requires constant adaptation and synchronization across sub-projects and disciplines. In combination with the size, complexity, dynamic production environment, frequent changes and rescheduling, the need to create effective information flows is critical. 

"Naturally, the plans start rougher and more summarized. The closer you get, the more detailed and accurate schedules we can produce," Marcus Larsson notes, and continues: 

“An example of a tough scheduling task in the project was to coordinate the rock tunnel breakthrough from two directions into the station box which has a *cut- and cover method. This was a milestone where three ‘sub projects’ became one and focus shifted more towards work environment, logistics and a common workflow forward.” 

Key competencies for a planner in large projects 

Marcus Larsson emphasizes the importance of having a solid understanding of the scheduling software, but also highlights that being a planner involves much more than technical knowledge. Effective communication and the ability to challenge and engage the team are crucial skills in his role. 

"It's about leading, being pedagogical and making others understand the material you create as efficiently as possible. You also need to be an active listener, understand the needs of your colleagues, and try to find common ground that works for everyone. We all come to projects with different backgrounds and ways of working that we are used to, and I need to be able to navigate this to find what works best for the team. This educational aspect adds to the richness of my role" concludes Marcus Larsson. 

*Cut and cover method means that you excavate from above, build the concrete tunnel from the bottom up, and then restore the surface to its original condition.