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Developer Tea

Better Low-Information Estimates - Putting the "Scientific" in SWAG

Dec 17, 2024
Explore how to make better wild guesses when defining work in ambiguous projects. Learn the difference between estimates and deadlines, and the psychological impacts of those deadlines. Discover effective strategies for uncertain work, including affinity estimation and PERT, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Gain insights aimed at engineering leaders to enhance project planning efficiency, all while navigating complexities like dependencies.
27:10

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Quick takeaways

  • Effective estimation in uncertain environments is crucial for decision-making, balancing the need for accuracy with limited available information.
  • Understanding the distinction between estimates and deadlines can alleviate project pressure and improve planning dynamics within teams.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Estimation in Ill-defined Work

Planning in startup environments often involves estimating poorly defined work, which can be challenging. Leaders require some form of estimation to make decisions about resource allocation and project selection. While organizations may strive for clear metrics, the reality is that many projects require quick assessments of potential ROI, especially in early-stage startups. This means estimations must be streamlined, balancing the need for accuracy with the limited information available.

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