supervisor  expects  you  not  only  to  meet  production requirements  and  to  conduct  training  but  you  must also  learn  the  process  of  “paperwork.”  Be  patient. If you plan well, you will succeed. The following section contains   information   to   assist   you   in   planning, organizing,  and  coordinating  work  assignments.  You must   master   these   skills   to   meet   the   production schedule. PLANNING  WORK  ASSIGNMENTS Planning   is   the   process   of   determining   the requirements   and   developing   the   methods   and schemes   of   action   for   performing   a   task.   Proper planning  saves  time  and  money  and  ensures  that  the project   is   completed   in   a   professional   manner. Remember,   “proper   planning   prevents   poor performance.”   When   planning   various   assignments, you   must   consider   many   factors.   The   following paragraphs  highlight  some,  but  not  all  of  the  factors you should consider during this planning stage. When  you  are  assigned  a  project,  whether  in writing or orally, one of the first things for you to do is to make sure you clearly understand just what is to be done. Study the plans and specifications carefully. When  you  have  questions,  seek  and  find  the  answers from those in a position to supply the information you need.  Also,  make  sure  you  understand  the  priority  of the project, the expected time of completion, and any special  instructions  to  be  followed. In planning for a small or large project, you must consider the capabilities of your crew. Determine who is to do what and how long it should take to complete the   assignment.   Also,   consider   the   tools   and equipment  you  will  need  and  arrange  to  have  them available at the jobsite when the work is to get under way. Determine who will use the tools, and make sure the  crew  members  to  whom  they  are  assigned  know how to use them properly and safely. To  be  certain  a  project  is  done  properly  and  on time, consider the way it is to be accomplished. When there is more than one way of doing a particular task, analyze the methods and select the one most suited to the job conditions. Listen to suggestions from others. If you can simplify a method and save time and effort, by all means do it. As a crew leader, your goal is to get others to work together   to   complete   their   assignments.   Always balance   is   especially   important;   you   must   neither panic  before  your  crew,  nor  be  unsure  of  yourself  in the face of conflict. Be   tactful   and   courteous   in   dealing   with   your crew. Never show partiality to certain members. Keep your  crew  members  informed  on  matters  that  affect them  personally  or  concern  their  work.  Also,  seek  to maintain  a  high  level  of  morale  because  low  morale will have a definite negative effect upon the quantity and quality of their work. Establish  goals  for  each  workday  and  encourage your  crew  members  to  work  together  as  a  team  to accomplish  them.  You  should  set  goals  to  keep  your crew  busy,  but  make  sure  they  are  realistic.  Discuss the  project  with  your  crew  members  so  they  know what  you  expect  from  them.  During  an  emergency, most  crew  members  will  make  an  all-out  effort  to meet   the   deadline.   However,   people   are   not machines,  and  when  there  is  no  emergency,  do  not expect  them  to  work  continuously  at  an  excessively high   rate.   The   importance   of   teamwork   cannot   be overemphasized,  and  neither  can  the  importance  of daily   crew   briefings.   Daily   crew   briefings   provide for   a   vital   communication   link   to   the   quality completion  of  the  project.  You  do  not  want  to  keep any  member  of  the  crew  “in  the  dark.” As  the  petty  officer  in  charge  of  a  crew,  you  are responsible   for   time   management   of   the   crew member   and   for   yourself.   You   must   plan constructive  work  for  your  crew.  Always  remember to  PLAN  AHEAD!  A  sure  sign  of  poor  planning  is when  crew  members  stand  idle  each  morning  while you  plan  the  events  of  the  day.  At  the  close  of  each day,  confirm  plans  for  the  next  workday.  In  doing so, you may need answers on the availability and the use  of  manpower,  equipment,  and  supplies.  Keep  the following  questions  in  mind: 1. Manpower.  Who is to do what? How is it to be done?  When  is  it  to  be  finished?  Sins  idleness  may breed discontent, have you arranged for another job to start as soon as the first one is finished? Is every crew member being fully employed? 2_* Equipment.    Are   all   necessary   tools   and equipment on hand to do the job? Is safety equipment on  hand? maintain  an  approachable  attitude  toward  your  crew, so  each  crew  member  feels  free  to  seek  your  advice when in doubt about any phase of the work. Emotional 3. Supplies. Are all necessary supplies on hand to start  the  job?  If  not,  who  should  take  action?  What supply delivery schedules must you work around? 1-10