Software Estimation Is Hard. Do It Anyway.

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Author: jacobian.org
Full Title: Software Estimation Is Hard. Do It Anyway.
Category:#articles
Document Tags: development Development
Summary: Estimating software projects is challenging, often leading to significant cost and time overruns. Despite the difficulties, it’s important to learn how to give accurate estimates, as they are often necessary for planning and coordination. Practicing estimation can improve your skills and build trust with your team and managers.
URL: https://jacobian.org/2021/may/20/estimation/

Of course, anyone who’s worked in software for a bit will have seen this first hand. At some point you’ve probably said “oh yeah, that’ll only take a couple of days” … and then found yourself, a month later, still not finished. Estimating a software project seems to always run up against Hofstadter’s Law: “It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.” (View Highlight)
In particular, “no estimates”-style project management can lead to better conversations about timelines: these systems encourage questions like “what can we get done in the next two weeks?” instead of “how long will Feature X take?” This can often be a much better way of thinking about software projects, especially long-lived ones. (View Highlight)
One major “secret” to advancing in a technical career is learning how to give accurate estimates. (View Highlight)
Being able to tell your bosses and peers what to expect by when – and then hitting those marks – builds trust in a major way. (View Highlight)
But the technique doesn’t matter as much as the broader point: estimation is hard; do it anyway. (View Highlight)

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