Posted on January - 08 - 2009
Tying It All Together
Hey, welcome to 2009! It’s taken a while, but we’re finally at the point where we can go ahead and make our first estimate.
But first, a recap of the first four steps in software estimation process.
- Understanding the problem – not just what you want to estimate, but why you want to estimate it.
- Know the rules – Estimates are bound by rules and measurements, and you need to know what you’re measuring before you rush off and start.
- Data Collection – Make use of organized work sheets so that you can keep everything organized. If you need to know what to put on said worksheet, look back to steps 1 and 2.
- Identify Work Already Done – Sometimes, it’s more cost effective to look elsewhere for solutions.
By the time you get here, to step number 5, you’ve already done a great deal of work regarding your estimate. You’ve pondered, you’ve measured, you scribbled down numbers, you’ve looked at the entirety of the problem and you’ve broken it down into measureable parts. Now, it’s time to plug it all into a machine.
If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to have a familiar set of eyes look over your work before handing it off to the computer, just to weed out any potential for human error. If you’re working on a project for a client, show them the numbers too.
After that, it’s time to run your first software estimation, establishing the baseline from which all other estimates and changes will be measured.
Software Sizing, Estimation, and Risk Management is a practical, hands-on discussion of the software estimation, planning and control process. It addresses critical factors that affect estimates, methods for selecting and applying appropriate measures to projects, proper software sizing, processes to identify and manage risk, and best practices to avoid problems and develop successful project plans.