Planning & Estimation
Estimation in Depth
How do you create early estimates when little is known about your project, agile release train, or program increment? You don’t know many details, and you might not even know which teams will be involved, but you’re tasked with coming up with initial numbers anyway. This Learning Program helps you apply proven estimation techniques that work well in the early days of a software initiative. Gain a new understanding of what estimation is, and give estimates with confidence! Scroll down for topic details.
Great teams master these skills
You’ll learn them all in Estimation in Depth – and why they’re important. Once these skills are benefiting your teams, learn how to support planning and estimation for people outside the team in the Planning Across the Agile Boundary Learning Program.
Topics at a glance
Before your program starts
Clarify your objectives
Determine what kind of estimate you should create
Estimation’s relationship to planning
Clarify the types of estimates
Decide between top-down & bottom-up estimating
Set standards for a good estimate
The anchoring effect
Understand types of estimation error
Distinguish “estimate,” “target,” and “commitment”
Including variation and uncertainty in estimates
Understand where estimation ends and planning begins
Specific estimation techniques
Expert judgment for early project estimates
Checklists to improve early estimates
Structured group decision-making techniques
Better and worse proxies for early estimation
Feedback loops for improved estimates
Estimation procedures and presentation
Why have a standard estimation procedure?
Preferred methods by stage
Example of an estimation procedure
Estimate refinement throughout the project
Estimates of quality
Risk-scenario estimates
Three-point estimate presentation & variations
Recovering when the target becomes a commitment
Using principled negotiations
Why are our Learning Programs so effective?
We interviewed more than 400 software leaders around the world and what did they request?
Customized, minimally disruptive virtual sessions that focus on real-world results through a balanced mix of coursework, self-study, and expert mentoring.