“Let me finish the work and then I’ll tell you how long it took.”

 

AK sighed as he recounted the conversation with his junior team member to GK during their coffee meet.

“I’m at my wit’s end. When I asked one of my team members for an estimate on a task, he simply brushed it off with that statement.”

 

GK: “I understand your frustration. Estimating tasks accurately is indeed a critical aspect.”

AK: “Exactly! But I don’t think he understands the importance. He seems hesitant to give an estimate.”

 

GK: “Hold on! Don’t jump to conclusions.”

AK: “What do you mean?”

 

GK: “There could be a couple of reasons for that, AK. Perhaps he lacks experience with estimation and feels unsure OR maybe he’s worried about underestimating or overestimating the task’s complexity OR not clear about work involved OR other reasons.”

AK: “That makes sense. So, how can I help him?”

 

GK: “Guide him step by step.”

“First, set the ground, let him realize how accurate estimation lays the foundation for planning, allocating and in executing. It helps in setting realistic deadlines and managing stakeholders’ expectations.”

AK: “Got it.”

 

GK: “Remember to encourage open communication. You can even share some past projects where inaccurate estimates caused delays.”

AK: “Great suggestion!”

 

GK: “Guide him through the process. Break down work into smaller, more manageable components. This will help Raj understand the scope of the work better and make estimating easier.”

“Also, encourage him to consider past experiences, consult with team members if needed, and factor in any potential risks or uncertainties.”

AK: “What if he is still struggling?”

 

GK: “Offer resources and tools to improve his estimation skills. Based on the development approach followed in your project, take him through basic estimation techniques.” 

AK: “Like?”

 

GK: “There are many. Will name a few popular techniques – Relative Estimation, Affinity Estimation, Parametric estimates, Three-point estimate, Functional Point Analysis, etc. equip him with tools to make more informed estimates.”

AK: “What if he struggles while senior members are around?”

 

GK: “Valid point. It happens. Team should understand that collaboration leads to better and more accurate estimates. Wideband Delphi brings anonymity to some extent. Planning Poker also helps in being more collaborative, and consensus-based.”

AK: “Equipping him with the tools & knowledge and explaining the importance, that sounds like a solid approach.”

 

GK: “Precisely, AK. Empowering the team to estimate tasks accurately will not only benefit the project but also foster their professional growth and confidence.”

AK: “Thanks for the guidance, GK. I’ll make sure to implement these strategies with my team.”

 

GK: “You’re welcome, AK. Remember, mastering the art of estimation takes time and practice, but it’s a skill that’s worth investing in for the long-term success of your projects.”

 

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At times, managers rush to provide estimations without the proper involvement of the team and have little patience in equipping the team towards it. This leads to delays in releases and schedules, team burnout and cost overrun.