Time

Estimations

And why they don't work

Problems

Lack of knowledge

  • Problems will appear
  • Mistakes will be made
  • Requirements will be underspecified

Presence of Change

  • Systems
  • Frameworks
  • Requirements
  • Methods

Methods

Rule of 3

Estimate the worst case scenario, and multiply it by 3.

  • Inaccurate;
  • Probably still not enough.

Velocity + Slack

  • Estimate with story points, not time;
  • Velocity: points per sprint;
  • Give it some slack for problems.

Slack: Time to refactor or to compensate

A number

Implementation

A feature takes N points to implement.

Before implementation

  • Analysis
  • Preparation

Analysis

  • Find sub-tasks;
  • Decide the approach.

 

How long?

 

N / 2 (max)

Preparation

  • Refactor to make implementation easier.
  • Not always required.

 

How long?

 

N / 2 (max)

Test

  • Before or after, there should be tests;
  • May require refactoring.

 

How long?

 

N (max)

Review

  • Code should be reviewed;
  • Often requires refactoring.

 

How long?

 

N (max)

[considering real time, not effort]

Documentation

  • Lol...

 

How long?

 

N / 2 (max)

4.5

(not considering respecs, approach changes, etc)

Conclusion

  • Our estimates need work;
  • Estimates must include slack.

Time estimations

By pfac

Time estimations

Time estimations don't work in Software Development.

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