How to Estimate Early in a Project

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“How long will it take you?” is one of the scariest questions that business analysts have to answer. This question is always posed before you know what you are going to have to do to define the requirements. You have not yet done the analysis upon which to base your answer. Given that uncertainty, it is no wonder that whatever answer you come up with will be wrong, leading to a missed delivery date and unhappy customers.

This workshop introduces methods that improve early estimates and the communication of the factors that affect them. We cover foundation approaches for state-of-the-practice in early project estimating based on application, story, object, function point, and other relevant techniques. You will discuss factors that affect estimating accuracy, and apply them in a case study. Included in the class materials is an individual license for our estimating tool, Quest For Better Estimates^®.

Note: This instructor-led course can be delivered in two virtual sessions via the Internet or live at your site.

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1. Software Cost Estimating Introduction

The Cost of Software

Software Cost Estimating

Estimating Software Projects

Your Techniques Impact Estimates

What, Why, and Who of Estimating 3

What Is An Estimate? 1

A Few Words on Statistics

Estimates are Statistics

Subdividing Projects

Increasing Detail Decreases Error

What Are You Estimating?

Why Estimate? 1

To Improve Estimates, Ask Questions

The Early Estimating Challenge 2

One Step toward Solution 2

When Do You Estimate?

Where’s The Cost? 3

Summary

2. Early Project Estimating Techniques

Initial Estimates

Early Project Estimating

The SWAG Estimate

Case Exercise 3: SWAG

Consensus Estimating 3

Quest for Better Estimates

Case Exercise 4: Consensus & Quest

The Expert Estimator 3

Units of Estimating 1

Comparison Estimating 3

Comparison Estimating Exercise 3

Requirements Impact Estimates

COCOMO II Cost Factors 3

Quest/SWAG and COCOMO Cost

Using “Points” for Estimating

Points as Sizing Parameters

User Requirement Sizing, the Initial Process 3

User Story Sizing, the Estimating Process 1

Reality Check

Iterations, Increments & Releases

Backing into Duration

Making Points

Successful-Project Profiles 5

Summary: Experience-Based Estimating 3

3. Summary

Implement Better Estimating Techniques

Implement Better Estimating

Management Issues

In-House Estimating Experts

Keeping History Databases

Providing Software Support

Avoiding Management Malpractice

Summary: Final Assignment

Epilog 2

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• Apply Application, Object and Story point estimating methods and; discuss their strengths, weaknesses and prerequisites
• Identify natural estimating points and the most useful methods for early estimating
• Discuss Function Point estimating and it applicability to early project estimating

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We do not currently have a public offering of this class scheduled. To add your name to the waiting list or request alternate offers, please contact us.
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