Effort and Schedule Estimation

Definition

Effort and Schedule Estimation

the common task during which producers produce associated effort and schedules estimates

Objectives

The typical objectives of effort and schedule estimation are to:

• Produce an accurate estimate of the effort (e.g., person-hours or person-days) that will be required for them to:
  • Perform one or more related task,
  • Produce one or more related work product, or
  • Achieve a milestone.
• Estimate the date by which time they should have completed the tasks, produced the work products, or achieved the milestone.

Preconditions

Effort and schedule estimation can typically begin when the following preconditions hold:

• The tasks, work products, or milestone have been well-defined.
• People playing roles on the endeavor have been adequately trained (or has sufficient experience) in effort and schedule estimation.

Completion Criteria

Effort and schedule estimation is typically complete when the following postconditions hold:

• Accurate estimates exist and have been delivered to the appropriate management or metrics team.

Steps

Effort and schedule estimation typically involves the following roles performing the following steps in an iterative, incremental, and parallel manner:

• Understand the task, work product or milestone to be estimated.
• Analyze the size of the work to be performed.
• Determine the qualifications/experience of those who will be performing the work.
• Apply the effort estimation formula using relevant information.
• Verify the resulting effort estimation based on personnel experience.
• Use the team size and relevant multipliers (e.g., no one works totally on a task without interruptions and time off due to holidays, sick leave, etc.).
• Document the effort and schedule estimates.
• Submit the documented estimates to the metrics analyst and scheduler.

Techniques

Effort and schedule estimation can typically be performed using the following techniques:

• Effort estimation metrics.
• Previous personnal experience.
• Emails to document the estimates.

Work Products

Effort and schedule estimation typically results in the production of the following work products in an iterative, incremental, parallel, and time-boxed manner:

• Effort Estimates.
• Schedule Estimates

Guidelines

• Whereas management can set priorities, the people, teams, and organizations that must do the actual work should estimate how much effort is required and how long it will take.