---
title: Rachel Goodwin
url: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/careers/our-colleagues/rachel-goodwin/"
type: page
date_published: 2023-06-22
date_modified: 2025-03-18
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language: en-IE
word_count: 648
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/careers/our-colleagues/rachel-goodwin/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg"
---

# Rachel Goodwin

![Rachel Goodwin](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg)

![Rachel Goodwin Career Profile picture](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/07/rachel-goodwin-career-profile-picture-300x300.jpg)

**Role**: Senior Planner

**Career Area**: Project and Commercial Management

**Location**: York and Birmingham

###### My role at SYSTRA

As a Senior Planner my primary responsibility is to use a software package
called Primavera P6 to manage a variety of multi-disciplinary projects, from
creation through to execution. I do this by creating P6 programmes with work
breakdown structures (WBS), work activities/tasks, resources and budgets.

I update the programme schedules and maintain baselines from weekly to
periodically using data gathered at progress meetings from work package managers
and technical engineering leads. I report progress on the project, which is
managed by updating the project schedule.

My work is very analytical!

###### My career journey

During a previous employment in 2009, I switched from a Project Manager role to
a P6 Planner role. I very quickly realised that I had a natural ability for that
particular discipline!

###### We asked Rachel…

###### When did you realise this was the career path for you?

Planning is very methodical and logical, and that suits the way my brain works –
at the time I was encouraged to try the planning role by a colleague who
recognised the ability in me. They then went on to become a mentor throughout my
early planning career.

###### Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?

If you enjoy sequences; lists; journalling; seeing how things fit together and
impact on each other; processes; and asking questions, then this might just be
the job for you!

###### How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?

I have been pleasantly surprised by the range of opportunities that are
available to all colleagues within the business to get more involved in other
areas. I am a Wellness Champion, mental health first aider and an ED&I
engagement colleague, which are all intertwined with my role.

###### With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?

I have a knack of being able to simplify things. Often work instructions can be
overly complicated and my brain doesn’t work like that, so I find a way to
simplify.

###### Where is the place that has inspired you the most?

I am currently working on the HS2 project and everything about that project is
inspiring. Engineering in general inspires me every day. The things that
engineers can design and build is incredible, and I hope I can play a small but
important part in that process by helping to plan.

###### What does true sustainability really mean to you?

It means looking after our planet and trying to help to balance the environment,
economy, and social aspects of society for future generations.

###### What would a 󠀁_green future_󠁿 look like?

We have to think about greener energy, less waste, reduction in single use
plastics and creating wild areas for biodiversity to thrive.

###### How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work?

One of my favourite things to do is take a walk out in nature, find a lovely
bench and sit and take it all in (with my lovely husband, Col, in tow of
course).

###### If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?

That’s a tough one to be honest because I admire so many people. Most people
have stories to tell and I love to listen. So I guess anyone who wanted to join
me for lunch would be welcome!

###### If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?

Car – electric of course! I live with anxiety and public transport is often
crowded and noisy, but my car is calm and quiet.

[See all interviews](https://www.systra.com/ireland/en/careers/our-professions/)