Try to estimate your work more accurate
Consider ussage of the following steps before you even begin the estimating process.- Get a clear picture of the work to estimate
- Problems with estimation come because the estimator is not really sure what the work entails.
- Avoid estimating work that you do not understand. This should not imply that you can know every detail.
- The estimating contingency is a way to reflect some of this remaining uncertainty.
- Determine participants in the estimating process
- The project manager may or may not know enough to make the estimates on his or her own.
- Good practice is participation in estimation of from team members, clients, subject matter experts, etc.
- Result will be far more accurate estimation.
- Determine if there are any estimating constraints
- It is important to know estimating constraints up-front, like fixed end-date etc.
- It is absolute need to know if the client expects Six-Sigma level quality in the deliverables, or if the 80/20 rule will apply, or some other QA related contrstraint.
- Is it a fixed budget (think about reducing the scope of work, if necessary).
- Knowing constraints will help the estimators make valid assumptions regarding the cost, duration and quality balance.
- Determine multiple estimating techniques to utilize if possible
- There are a number of techniques that can be used to estimate work. If possible, try to use two or more techniques for the estimate.
- If results are close, you will have more confidence in figures.
- If results of estimations are far apart, review the figures to see if you are using similar assumptions.
- Try new technique to see if one initial estimate can be validated and the other rejected.
- Document all assumptions
- Be aware that you will never know all the details of a project.
- Document all the assumptions you are making during the estimation process.
More accurate estimations lead to healthier business decisions.
