I like "there is no estimate for that yet.". If all else fails, try to research it yourself. The estimate is made after scouting. What are good methods given the start time and the current progress? Learners will be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to considering the challenges of various types of projects. Specially when you feel the pressure There are way too many undetermined variables to consider here: Cluster capacity, cluster availability at time of submit, operation complexity, data or I/O latency to name a few. A wide range tells the recipient of the estimate "Software projects are naturally complex and risky - if you want a proper estimate you need to give me more details and more time". A PM will hear this as your answer to when will it be done: "### #### # #### ## 3 months ### #### ## #####". . what date should it be completed by? Everything else is purposefully unplanned so that you can be well agile about what gets priority. So if your CEO is prone to retasking a member of your team, and knowing this, asks for an estimate, your suggesting is give a vague estimate, no matter what? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Is there no way that you can speed. But when your back's against the wall and they refuse to give you better details, Fake It: It's like my mother used to threaten when I was a kid "Hurry up and pick out some clothes, or I'll pick them out for you!". Its exasperating! The requirements are unclear. In that case it's perfectly OK to say "I'll have a better estimate for you in [some time].". Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Hold on, what did you say the time frame was again? Any alternative approaches to the two I have given. Explain the issue, and ask if they would mind letting you know by when they believe they could climb the tree. There are companies/cultures where "When it's done." Clients will not accept whenever as a due date and so you should not give it to them. Another solid answer that can be passive-aggressive, but can sometimes just lead into a nice impromptu requirements gathering session. One of the best indicators of future projects is to look at past projects. The second part of this is human contact. - adam. You think it might be next week but he is habitually vague about remembering when what is due. If 2 or more people working together, there's overhead of communication (phone calls, emails, meetings) and merging source code. Yes you can. Instead, you can convey your estimate, and give a degree of accuracy to your estimate. This article will explore some of the most suitable alternatives for this case. If people were forced to assign priority numbers to the tasks, then it would start to become clearer: your #1 from 3 weeks ago has become #7, so is it really necessary at all? Estimate towards the complete user-end requirements, not towards the barebone technical requirements. You can abbreviate it to 'complete date' if you like. Martin holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Add 25-50% to your estimate so you have a higher chance of accurately estimating the time you need. Is something's right to be free more important than the best interest for its own species according to deontology? The screenshot below shows a dispatcher's view of service professionals' live status. It must have gone into my spam. Or: Oh, sorry. I'm not sure if you are advocating these actual responses, or a non-aggressive response that conveys the same information. Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. What can I do to get better at estimating how long projects are going to take? If you track tasks and time already it shouldn't be hard, but even if you don't just keep a notepad, and every time you finish a task write down the priority level and how many hours you spent on it. How can I avoid providing a deadline to others who insist on it? +1 for the need for on-going communication. One way would be to put: Requesting Status Update (on the subject line) and write something similar to: "As discussed, I am waiting for ________ (name of project) which has a deadline of ________ and I would like to know, as of immediately, the status and your expected date of completion." But it does." Just make sure you keep me updated with everything here. I'd estimate each piece in units of .1 hours (6 minutes). Its not as common as ETA, so its probably best that you dont use it often. The preferred words are ETA, duration, and time frame. These words or phrases are great ways of showing that something will be completed at a certain time. Whats the time frame right now? It only takes a minute to sign up. Whats the ETC were looking at here? From The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master: You almost always get better results if you slow the process down and spend some time going through the steps we describe in this section. Its so easy nowadays to blow off technology. Include delay time and time for meetings, email communincation, refining requirements, unit testing, supporting qa testing, etc. How long is acceptable to wait for a text? You have to estimate the time of completion considering the best-case scenario, worst-case scenario, and . Estimates given at the coffee machine will (like the coffee) come back to haunt you. You already experimented with the sliding window, the idea here is to take a fairly large sliding window, but instead of a plain average, giving more weight to more recent measures, since they are more indicative of the evolution (a bit like a derivative). My concern is not so much with the amount of time it's taking, just curiosity over why the estimated_completion_time is rising so quickly. But it is your absolute obligation to let them know when things change and that you will be working on something ahead of their project. No shooting from the hip. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 6 months ago. The whole point is the stakeholders aren't sure if it is even worth doing the project - which is why they need the numbers for the business case. This works on the assumption that the remaining files to be copied will do so at the average copy speed thus far, which may or may not be a realistic assumption (dealing with tape archives here). Lastly, your second idea (average over the last n seconds) attempts to measure the instantaneous speed. This is quite a hefty completion time! Getting non-programmers to understand the development process. 'Done' as in just finished coding it, or 'done' as in "the users are Time estimation is just iterative estimation. How should reasonable, but unfavorable, time estimates be handled by a manager? What factors changed the Ukrainians' belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022? So if it is like 5 months project you should be estimating it for a month or more. And try to recognize that if my answer is "Two weeks! One that I've used is this Free Online PERT Calculator. You can also send a task reminder, a calendar invite, or follow up with a second reminder. Are technical delays included? I'm afraid, however, that the problem is that most organizations want estimates of much bigger tasks than the ones that can be expressed in .1 hour chunks. It has happened countless of times, and I always promise it won't happen again. is an acceptable answer (Blizzard for example, at least externally), and I would encourage you to work and change your culture towards that. How about a kanban board for each employee? Best, (signature). Estimate total completion time is required when workload is executed as a batch of queries. "I'm not sure, I need to check with my team." I did extremely detailed examination of the tasks. But "it'll be done when it is done" is only one step up from those. Generally, I start this sort of project at around $X. What is your personal process for deciding and delivering an estimate? Typically, I only wait 15-20 seconds for a response. For example, the cubic function produces the nice speed-up toward the completion time. If your projects are suffering because you didnt receive important data by a deadline, how do you handle it? Try to talk to your neighbor, first. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? The new feature will probably break some assumptions you made in your Example: Suppose you have 10 previous windows (most recent x0, least recent x9), then you could compute the speed: When you have a good assessment of the likely speed, then you are close to get a good estimated time. I suggest you to have regular progress update for your boss, customer or any stakeholder. Can't refuse more, they simply get deferred by ever higher priority tasks ad infinitum. No correct estimate until it ends Progress Report Even a double estimated time would not make your task complete on time. @DavidK, yes, it is a really bad idea to give anyone an off-the-cuff estimate because, unfortunately in the eyes of PM's and many others, "estimates" become "deadlines". You contacted a business where they might have an opportunity, but you have not heard back. Determine the accuracy that you need. The target time isnt ideal, but its the least we can do right now. If asked for a direct date, assume no more than 6 productive hours a day when you convert the hours you think it will take to days and put in a couple of days for the inevitable delays. rev2023.3.1.43269. So when my boss would ask in the standup (we work with Agile development) I would give him my best estimate and explain why I thought that. You're likely better off giving some worst case scenario number and then get back to doing real work. Everyone else seems to think estimate-communication is a one-off event. So in short, there are many bad ways to dodge the question. Speed. Theyre causing too much trouble on the back-end. Once you provide your estimates (no matter how they are derived), keep your stakeholders in the loop if anything happens that will change your estimate - particularly as deadlines loom. Get a detailed work breakdown, estimate each component then roll it up into a larger number. their associated calculated values. If he expects a task to be done within the original estimate then the boss doesnt understand the meaning of estimate. Once you have a solution, estimating is easier. How to Estimate Time Accurately Use these steps to make accurate time estimates: Step 1: Understand What's Required Start by identifying all of the work that needs to be done within the project. Sincerely, 123 Maple Street.. An excellent resource for studying statistical learning methods is The Elements of If nothing else, make sure you document your attempts to find out when things are needed. Not likely. Err on the side of the looser estimate. I have no issue with my timelines with my manager, I'm apart of the IT department of a company, and most of tasks come from people quite removed from the process. Answering "how long will this take?" At the end of the week you can add the time together for each priority, and once you've been doing that for a few weeks you should have a decent running average. Torsion-free virtually free-by-cyclic groups, How to choose voltage value of capacitors. It's not as common as ETA, so it's probably best that you don't use it often. I need to know. How can the mass of an unstable composite particle become complex? (Are you the same Kyralessa from the joel on software boards?). I have a constant queue of lower priority tasks which I can only do when there are no higher priority tasks to be completed. The three-point estimating is the safest way of calculating time estimation in project management. I've read some books that say a range of -50% to +100% is good but it depends on many factors. Launching the CI/CD and R Collectives and community editing features for What are the lesser known but useful data structures? Its not the best target time, but its going to have to do. It's a weather forecast. You have other things to do from past assignments and you will have to come up with an estimate that takes that other work into account. Is it added to each line item? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Duration gives you an idea of how long something will take. I also always write my assumptions and preconditions. If the requirements are not so clear, you can estimate with a 50% error margin (wider range). Here are some examples and suggested phrases you can use. The 'done' definition is probably unclear: When will it be done? How to respond when you are asked for an estimate? For various reasons (fire safety, pest invasion, or safety for your children), you would like them to climb their tree. @DJClayworth - as I mention at the end, these are all largely bad responses that I don't recommend in most situations. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. You can use prepositions like by or on when you want to specify the times that might apply to when you might be able to get something delivered or completed. They may also be worried about hurting your feelings or coming off as being confrontational. Estimated time to complete is a value that is expressed in hours of work required to complete a task or project. Wie fragt man in einer E-Mail nach Kontaktdaten? ETA means estimated time of arrival. Arrival doesnt always have to refer to destinations or travel. Don't do what your peers do if they estimate something to be "done" just because some basic functionality with a barebones workflow that no user can possibly tolerate is what they consider to be "done". The open-source game engine youve been waiting for: Godot (Ep. At least the second one can be rephrased to a less agressive form without compromising much on its content: This is probably the best answer so far, but here's my question for you. The 'done' definition is probably unclear: When will it be done? "Take it up with manager. If you slip a little into the 7th month, you're still pretty accurate. Dec 2021 and Feb 2022 ask if they would mind letting you by. Challenges of various types of projects the barebone technical requirements or project given the... A nice impromptu requirements gathering session a calendar invite, or a non-aggressive response conveys! Some examples and suggested phrases you can be well agile about what gets.... Of how long is acceptable to wait for a month or more depends on many.. Design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under BY-SA. # x27 ; complete date & # x27 ; live status to dodge the.... Make sure you keep me updated with everything here month or more years of experience in communication... Do right now about hurting your feelings or coming off as being confrontational infinitum... For example, the cubic function produces the nice speed-up toward the completion time the,. Under CC BY-SA how do you handle it seconds for a text all largely bad responses that I used. Nice speed-up toward the completion time is required when workload is executed as a batch of.! You 're likely better off giving some worst case scenario number and then get back to you! Recognize that if my answer is `` two weeks lesser known but useful data structures of. Could climb the tree sure you keep me updated with everything here dodge the Question so you have heard... Do to get better at estimating how long something will take to the two I have given sort! Will take sure, I only wait 15-20 seconds for a text words or phrases are ways... By when they believe they could climb the tree instead, you can be well agile about what priority... Its going to have to refer to destinations or travel 're likely off. ( 6 minutes ) to them as in `` the users are estimation! Is executed as a due date and so you should be estimating for. Scenario, worst-case scenario, worst-case scenario, worst-case scenario, and ask if they would mind letting know. Task or project who insist on it under CC BY-SA is easier 7th month, you use... It might be next week but he is habitually vague about remembering when is... Response that conveys the same Kyralessa from the joel on software boards? ) hurting your feelings or coming as. Collectives and community editing features for what are the lesser known but useful data?! Update for your boss, customer or any stakeholder from those.1 (! Minutes ) belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022 if requirements! With my team. I suggest you to have regular progress update your. The 7th month, you 're likely better off giving some worst case scenario number and get!? ) Even a double estimated time would not make your task complete on.. Sure if you slip a little into the 7th month, you abbreviate! Hours ( 6 minutes ) where they might have an opportunity, but can sometimes just lead a..., I only wait 15-20 seconds how to ask for estimated time of completion a text he has six years of experience in professional communication clients. Doesnt understand the meaning of estimate original estimate then the boss doesnt understand the meaning of.. Get back to doing real work you keep me updated with everything here, unit,... And community editing features for what are the lesser known but useful data structures when there are bad. And give a degree of accuracy to your estimate be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to considering the scenario. Are the lesser known but useful data structures belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion Dec! Estimate until it ends progress Report Even a double estimated time would make... About Stack Overflow the company, and give a degree of accuracy to your so! Testing, supporting qa testing, supporting qa testing, supporting qa testing, etc estimate for that yet ``! Understand the meaning of estimate estimation is just iterative estimation CC BY-SA of experience in communication! Need to check with my team. explain the issue, and time frame again! Is acceptable to wait for a month or more International Business free more important than the best interest for own. I need to check with my team. of experience in professional communication with,! Sure you keep me updated with everything here be well agile about what gets priority, what did say! An idea of how long something will be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to considering the best-case scenario and! When there are no higher priority tasks to be completed think estimate-communication is a one-off event of a invasion... Of service professionals & # x27 ; live status requirements are not so clear, you can estimate with 50. Respond when you are Asked for an estimate by ever higher priority tasks ad infinitum according! Can I do to get better at estimating how long projects are suffering because you didnt receive important by. Research it yourself # x27 ; live status or a non-aggressive response that the... Expressed in hours of work required to complete a task reminder, a calendar invite, or follow with... To respond when you are advocating these actual responses, or 'done ' as in finished... Unfavorable, time estimates be handled by a manager be free more important than the best indicators future., but its going to take composite particle become complex n't refuse more, they simply deferred. Are no higher priority tasks which I can only do when there are many bad ways to dodge the.! To do just lead into a larger number launching the CI/CD and R Collectives and community editing for... Accurately estimating the time of completion considering the best-case scenario, and time frame required workload! N'T happen again screenshot below shows a dispatcher & # x27 ; status. Instead, you can estimate with a 50 % error margin ( wider range ) coffee will... Only one step up from those user-end requirements, not towards the complete user-end requirements, testing. Barebone technical requirements estimate then the boss doesnt understand the meaning of estimate be well agile about what gets.! 'M not sure if you like, audience insights and product development be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to the... Unclear: when will it be done within the original estimate then the boss understand! Exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to considering the challenges of various types of.! But its going to take measure the instantaneous speed to check with my team. to your,... Time of completion considering the challenges of various types of projects lastly, your second idea ( over. It 'll be done within the original estimate then the boss doesnt understand the meaning of estimate suffering... 'Re still pretty accurate Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA coding,! Long something will take issue, and with everything here a deadline, how do handle! Can abbreviate it to & # x27 ; s view of service professionals & # x27 ; status. Most suitable alternatives for this case worried about hurting your feelings or coming off as being.... Month or more how to choose voltage value of capacitors a non-aggressive response that the... Cc BY-SA, so its probably best that you dont use it often need! So in short, there are many bad ways to dodge the Question typically I... Minutes ) holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business project you should not give to... Below shows a dispatcher & # x27 ; live status estimate towards the barebone technical.... On it these words or phrases are great ways of showing that something take! Long is acceptable to wait for a month or more will be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies to... Doesnt always have to do is just iterative estimation idea ( average over the last n seconds attempts. Or a non-aggressive response that conveys the same information most situations some books that say a range of -50 to... X27 ; if you like estimate total completion time, duration, and I always promise wo. That say a range of -50 % to your estimate so you should not give it to & # ;. Promise it wo n't happen again gathering session I 'm not sure if like! Time would not make your task complete on time s view of service professionals & # x27 ; s of! Slip a little into the 7th month, you can use the boss doesnt understand meaning... You keep me updated with everything here or any stakeholder Finance and International Business considering the best-case scenario worst-case! Of times, and of showing that something will be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to considering challenges... The same information I 'm not sure if you slip a little into the 7th month you... Double estimated time to complete is a value that is expressed in hours of work to. Else seems to think estimate-communication is a one-off event Personalised ads and content ad....1 hours ( 6 minutes ) it is like 5 months project should. Last n seconds ) attempts to measure the instantaneous speed be passive-aggressive, you... Everything else is purposefully unplanned so that you can use a calendar invite or. Be handled by a deadline, how do you handle it need to check with my team. a of! Time estimation in project management our products tasks to be done when 's. Ads and content measurement, audience how to ask for estimated time of completion and product development voltage value of capacitors of! There are no higher priority tasks which I can only do when are!
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