APM book launch attracts leading figures

More than 30 leading figures from the world of project planning and controls gathered to celebrate the launch of APM’s latest best practice guide. 

The delegates from companies such as Taylor Woodrow, Costain and Rolls-Royce were given early sight of Planning, Scheduling, Monitoring and Control at the event hosted by Gardiner & Theobold at its London offices on 9 July.

Daniel Wynne partner at Gardiner & Theobold said: “this guide will set the framework to further develop planning as a discipline within project management. G&T is proud to support the association through this event”

The Planning, Scheduling, Monitoring and Control guide bridges the gap between planning theory and practise. It gives practical guidance on the planning aspects of preparing and executing a project, delivering it safely and controlling its delivery to budget, time and quality. 

Introducing proceedings Stephen Jones, chair of APM’s Planning Monitoring and Control SIG (whose members wrote the guide), said his vision was that the guide would “become the standard for the UK and worldwide”. 

Work on the guide by the current authoring group began in October 2013. It was finished ahead of schedule and is on sale now. 

Lead author Paul Kidston said it was practical guide that aimed to bridge the gap between planning theory and practice. 

Simon Taylor, from HS2 and member of the authoring group, added it was a “catch-all guide” that was relevant to every sector. 

Both acknowledged that it was not an answer on its own, but did provide a foundation to improve project management capability. It also provided an example of what good looks like. 

Tom Taylor, APM president, congratulated the team and said: “I commend this volume and I commend it to you to commend to others.”