Developing realistic time, cost, and effort estimates is no small feat. Without an understanding of basic estimating principles and practices, it might be impossible to develop accurate estimates for a complex, multi-disciplined, technology-based endeavor. Good estimates can be severely compromised by bad scheduling. Scheduling starts with the art/science of understanding relationships and interdependencies between estimated work efforts. Scheduling ends with the accurate juxtaposition of work effort, work resource, and calendar.
Today’s knowledge-worker is required to manage their efforts as well as those of others. Consequently, they must learn to effectively estimate time and effort requirements for other team members, outside resources, as well as for their own projects and tasks. Knowledge-workers need an estimating and scheduling methodology that provides quick, accurate estimates that lead to and support “what if” scheduling analysis.
Effective Estimating and Scheduling Techniques provides the knowledge-worker with basic estimating rules and guides them through application in realistic situations. Participants learn to use an estimating tool that helps to streamline the process and serves to maintain documentation of all estimating assumptions and trade-offs.
Effective Estimating and Scheduling Techniques also provides the knowledge-worker with basic scheduling rules and guides them through application in realistic situations. They learn to determine project duration, rate of resource utilization, and appropriate scheduling technique given the task at hand. Participants learn two scheduling methods, one for small projects and tasks, and one for large projects and tasks.