Estimation is critical for forecasting productivity, controlling costs, meeting deadlines, and building trust. Over 66% of projects are late, over budget or low quality due to underestimation. Good estimation requires adequate time, effective presentation of estimates, and fully leveraging estimates. Accurate estimates align business objectives with technical plans, improve decision making, communication, and cost control, leading to satisfied customers and enhanced competitiveness. Practical tips include making estimation integral to processes, tailoring approaches to culture, and applying rigor over instinct. Establishing sound estimation practices is the first step to reliable project delivery.

1. ESTIMATION &
PROJECT PLANNING
Simona Trif

2. ESTIMATION CHALLENGES
 Withoutreliable estimates, you will be
challenged to:
 Forecast productivity and quality
 Control costs, meet delivery dates
 Instill trust with management and peer-groups

3. Statistics constantly point to the
challenges surrounding effective
planning and estimation - over 66% of
projects aren’t delivered on time, on
budget or to expected quality.
Underestimating a project can lead to
under staffing, under scoping the quality
assurance effort, and setting too short a
schedule.
Good software estimation and planning
goes beyond tools, techniques and
processes. It’s also about the right
attitude, understanding and mutual
expectations

4. GETTING BETTER AT ESTIMATION
 Improve estimation and planning practices:
 Estimation is critical and requires adequate time
 Present estimates to stakeholders effectively
 Learn how to fully leverage an estimate

5. A well crafted estimate creates many
benefits:
- alignment between business objectives
and technical estimates
- more informed business decision making
- reliable project delivery dates
- improved communication between
management and the project team
- controlled project costs
- satisfied customers
***For the business, this can translate
into enhanced market competitiveness.

6. TOP TIPS FOR ESTIMATION
 Some practical SPC advice you can put to use
right away:
 Estimation is integral to development & business
processes
 Your estimation approach should fit your culture
 Apply rigor to create sound estimates - don’t rely
on instinct!

7. Solving the project estimation and planning
challenge in a sensible, straightforward
manner is the mark of the SPC approach.
Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” design that
most consulting firms utilize, our consulting,
coaching and mentoring services work in
context with our clients’ culture and
experience.
Most importantly, we carefully analyze the
most pressing needs that need to be
answered to ensure a high value, high
impact experience.

8. ESTIMATION INSIGHTS
 Critical
thinking and unique observations on
estimation best practices:
 Fuzzy estimates can only lead to fuzzy project
plans
 Decisions on spending resources & money need
good estimates
 Accurate estimates help deliver software your
business needs

9. Establishing and nurturing sound
estimation and planning practices is the
first step to consistently delivering
predictable and reliable projects
The impact on your estimation and planning
practices will fundamentally change your
business for the better.

10. Refference:
The Importance of Estimation - Software
Productivity Centre