Where We'll Be

30 Jul: Our 19th Cutter IT E-mail Advisor: Cultivation

13 Oct: We've been selected to present 2 papers at the Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference

Where We've Been

Subscribe to the Compendium:

by e-mail or

RSS Feed:

Clarrus proudly sponsors VanQ

What's New

6 Jul: Compendium 7.27: All That Jazz

29 Jun: Compendium 7.26: Faith in the Process

22 Jun: Compendium 7.25: Pet Tricks

All of our workshops are available onsite - please contact us for details!

Estimation: Size Does Matter

Objectives

On completion of this workshop, the student will be able to:

Summarize the key principles driving effective project estimation.

Select appropriate approaches to software sizing and estimation for specific projects and cultures.

Explain the value of historical data for estimation accuracy.

Describe the differences between various estimate calculation techniques.

Abstract

Many organizations find it difficult to explicitly take the step of deriving a size for the elements to be estimated, leaping directly from an overall definition of scope to the final effort or duration estimate.

Sizing is an essential step in the estimation process, significantly improving the insight and fidelity of the resulting estimates. How the practice of sizing fits into the overall estimation process is explored in this interactive workshop.

We start with a pre-workshop self-assessment and use a variety of enlightening exercises to provide a vocabulary and framework for incorporating sizing into your estimation practices.

Audience

This seminar will be useful for anyone involved in producing, reviewing or living up to estimates of work to be done on a technology project.

Format

A blend of lecture, class discussion, group discussions, and practice sessions will be utilized. Practice sessions will give attendees experience in working with estimation techniques and in identifying key activities to get started.

We provide a diagnostic of current estimation practices that all participants complete prior to the workshop. This serves to introduce topics that will be covered in the session, and helps the instructor understand where to emphasize content appropriately.

Participants get a complete snapshot of the results (statistically anonymous, of course), as well as feedback on where the group lies relative to others that have taken the diagnostic in the past.

Outline

Estimation Overview

Your current estimation practices
The complexity of the problem
Breaking it down into manageable parts

Sizing Exercise

Everyday life size estimates
Lessons for software estimation

Why Size Matters

Challenges in typical estimation approaches
Discussion of current approaches

Sizing Considerations

What makes an attribute reasonable for sizing?
How sizing improves the estimate

Iteration and Sizing

Refining estimates within the project lifecycle
Using higher fidelity for sizing

Sizing Alternatives

Selecting the appropriate dimensions
Multiple views of sizing

Uncertainty

We are not Fortune Tellers
Quantifying uncertainty
Uncertainty as a project driver

Estimation Procedures

Building and refining the procedure
Converging on a reasonable estimate
Historical data approaches

Calculating Effort

Individual performance factors
Task uncertainty and risk

Balancing Effort and Schedule

Incorporating workloads
Presenting Estimates
Estimates and Business Targets
Schedule aggressiveness

Please contact us for more information regarding this offering.

Home | Up | Contact | Privacy Policy