On Feb 26, 9:58*pm, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
13:16:02 on Thu, 26 Feb 2009, remarked:

What would the alternative be, once
the problems became apparent? Postpone it to a later date and so
impact on the other parts of the project, or try and get things done
at the slot set aside for the work, even if it looks like things will
run over.

Admitting the over-run earlier would have helped the public.

But I'd still expect the main work to be major projects during periods
when the line was closed (be that Xmas, weekends, or just overnight).

If they are all agency staff, then how can they be forced to work
weekend or during holiday?

They can't be forced to[1]; but neither should they agree to do it, then
change their mind at the last minute.


Mp point was that some of the staff may not even have agreed to do it
in the first place. How do you plan for something like that, if say,
50% more staff choose to take Christmas off than previous years?

[1] Although an agency might well decline to have awkward people like
that on its books.
--
Roland Perry

In message , at
23:18:35 on Thu, 26 Feb 2009, Arthur Figgis
remarked:
Have you never had any contact with "temp" workers in what you do Roland?

It is quite common for them to confirm attendance and then not do so.
They wouldn't get a second chance, in any of the lines of work I've
been involved in.

But if the job needs doing, you have to employ them if there are no
others with the required skills or availability (at least until such a
time as you can recruit full-time staff).

I would cast my net wider.
--
Roland Perry

In message
, at
00:02:01 on Fri, 27 Feb 2009, remarked:
Mp point was that some of the staff may not even have agreed to do it
in the first place. How do you plan for something like that, if say,
50% more staff choose to take Christmas off than previous years?

If the staff choose to take Xmas off, then the agency will know that in
advance. The client will then be told how many engineers are available,
and if the client doesn't adapt his workplan to accommodate that, it's
the client's fault.
--
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...

But if the job needs doing, you have to employ them if there are no others
with the required skills or availability (at least until such a time as
you can recruit full-time staff).

I would cast my net wider.

Like where? Before you ask, the Portuguese were busy with extending the
wires to Barreiro, and now that's been done, it looks like they already have
another job to go to.

Their Italian counterparts may have gravitated to greater Naples, where
there is also wiring to do.

--
Tim
http://tim-fenton.fotopic.net/
http://timsworkspace.fotopic.net/
http://timfentonstractiondepot.fotopic.net/ New! Ish.

In message , at 09:32:02 on Fri, 27
Feb 2009, Tim Fenton remarked:
I would cast my net wider.

Like where? Before you ask, the Portuguese were busy with extending the
wires to Barreiro, and now that's been done, it looks like they already
have another job to go to.

Their Italian counterparts may have gravitated to greater Naples, where
there is also wiring to do.

The skill of being the project manager is in knowing where. I won't
attempt to second guess the answer.
--
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...
I would cast my net wider.

Like where? Before you ask, the Portuguese were busy with extending the
wires to Barreiro, and now that's been done, it looks like they already
have another job to go to.

Their Italian counterparts may have gravitated to greater Naples, where
there is also wiring to do.

The skill of being the project manager is in knowing where. I won't
attempt to second guess the answer.

Which means you don't know.

--
Tim
http://tim-fenton.fotopic.net/
http://timsworkspace.fotopic.net/
http://timfentonstractiondepot.fotopic.net/ New! Ish.

In message , at 10:26:58 on Fri, 27
Feb 2009, Tim Fenton remarked:
I would cast my net wider.

Like where? Before you ask, the Portuguese were busy with extending
the wires to Barreiro, and now that's been done, it looks like they
already have another job to go to.

Their Italian counterparts may have gravitated to greater Naples,
where there is also wiring to do.

The skill of being the project manager is in knowing where. I won't
attempt to second guess the answer.

Which means you don't know.

It means I haven't researched it - why would I have a list of suitable
agencies randomly available?
--
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...
I would cast my net wider.

Like where? Before you ask, the Portuguese were busy with extending the
wires to Barreiro, and now that's been done, it looks like they already
have another job to go to.

Their Italian counterparts may have gravitated to greater Naples, where
there is also wiring to do.

The skill of being the project manager is in knowing where. I won't
attempt to second guess the answer.

Which means you don't know.

It means I haven't researched it

Which means you don't know.

- why would I have a list of suitable agencies randomly available?

Because, without that kind of information, there would be little point in
casting your net wider.

--
Tim
http://tim-fenton.fotopic.net/
http://timsworkspace.fotopic.net/
http://timfentonstractiondepot.fotopic.net/ New! Ish.

In message , at 18:08:50 on Fri, 27
Feb 2009, Tim Fenton remarked:
The skill of being the project manager is in knowing where. I won't
attempt to second guess the answer.

Which means you don't know.

It means I haven't researched it

Which means you don't know.

Why would I, sitting here this Friday evening, know the names of
agencies in a different industry to mine, without first researching it?

- why would I have a list of suitable agencies randomly available?

Because, without that kind of information, there would be little point
in casting your net wider.

If I was in the industry, and needing the engineers, then that's exactly
what I'd have and do.
--
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...
The skill of being the project manager is in knowing where. I won't
attempt to second guess the answer.

Which means you don't know.

It means I haven't researched it

Which means you don't know.

Why would I, sitting here this Friday evening, know the names of agencies
in a different industry to mine, without first researching it?

Which means you don't know.

- why would I have a list of suitable agencies randomly available?

Because, without that kind of information, there would be little point in
casting your net wider.

If I was in the industry, and needing the engineers, then that's exactly
what I'd have and do.

Switch the lights off when you're done, there's a good chap.

--
Tim
http://tim-fenton.fotopic.net/
http://timsworkspace.fotopic.net/
http://timfentonstractiondepot.fotopic.net/ New! Ish.