Chapter 17. Standardized Estimation Procedures

Applicability of Techniques in This Chapter   Standardized Estimation Procedure Assessing Effectiveness of an Estimation Procedure What’s estimated Size, Effort, Schedule, Features Size, Effort, Schedule, Features Size of project S M L S M L Development stage Early–Late Late Iterative or sequential Both Both Accuracy possible High High

A standardized estimation procedure is a well-defined process for creating estimates that is adopted at the organizational level and that provides guidance at the individual-project level. Standard procedures protect against poor estimation practices such as off-the-cuff estimation and guessing. They protect against changing estimates arbitrarily because a powerful stakeholder doesn’t like a specific result. They encourage consistency of the estimation process. And, in the event of an especially poor estimate, they allow you to retrace your steps so that you can improve the procedure over time.