Software Project Estimates

Ken Burkhardt 2014

Inspired by Joel Spolsky’s Book

Joel on Software: And on Diverse and Occasionally Related Matters That Will Prove of Interest to Software Developers, Designers, and Managers, and to Those Who,

Whether by Good Fortune or Ill Luck, Work with Them in Some Capacity

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/BuytheBooks.html

Historical Project Failure #1Lotus 123 Fail

Historical Project Failure #2Netscape 5 never shipped!

Historical Project Failure #2Netscape 5 never shipped!

Everybody Hates SchedulesEspecially Programmers!

Schedule? We don't need no stinkin' schedule!The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - 1948

How to Make a Schedule that Works?Which will help estimation?

Use a Simple Excel TemplateNot some advanced software that is difficult to use a la MS Project.

Keep It Simple!Just keep track of a few fields.

Sample Excel Sheet

Break Each Feature Down Into TasksGranular tasks will help figure out how long each step will take.

Only the Programmer Can Schedule It

Pick Finely Grained Tasks!Measure tasks in hours not days.

Keep Track of the Original & Current Estimates

Update the Elapsed Time Every Day

Put in Line Items For Vacations, Sick Time, Etc

Put Testing / Debugging Time Into the Schedule

Put Integration Time Into the Schedule

Results of Good Planning & Estimates

Results of Good Planning & Estimates

Ken BurkhardtSoftware Developer

http://www.kenburkhardt.com/http://kenny-bu.blogspot.com/