{"id":7491,"date":"2012-02-29T01:25:37","date_gmt":"2012-02-29T08:25:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=7491"},"modified":"2012-02-26T10:28:03","modified_gmt":"2012-02-26T17:28:03","slug":"the-secret-behind-accurate-estimating-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=7491","title":{"rendered":"The Secret Behind Accurate Estimating (Part II)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Corporate Exit Strategist for Blooming Entrepreneurs<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Time is just a form of measurement.\u00a0 It\u2019s a tool for our convenience.\u00a0 One of the uses for \u201ctime\u201d is to synchronize pieces of a project:\u00a0 to schedule the various work products and integrate into a quality product, service or event.\u00a0 Inaccurate estimating skills slow down the entire team and builds resentment in those required to pick-up the slack.<\/p>\n

This series cover three methods of charting and logging your work product estimations:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Iterative charting to improve accuracy<\/li>\n
  2. Charting for effective communications<\/li>\n
  3. Charting for a streamlining process example<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Example of iterative charting to improve estimating:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    For instance, I trim my own hair.\u00a0 I don\u2019t find it very difficult and I get compliments on the cut.\u00a0 Based on past performances, I know it takes 20 minutes to wash and trim it.\u00a0 If I were to take the same head of hair to an expert, it would probably take several hours to arrive, wait, wash, cut, and $40.\u00a0\u00a0 I admit their style would be much better.\u00a0 But, right now, the return on my investment (time wise and cost wise) isn\u2019t worth taking the extra steps.\u00a0 For this project, my quality requirements are low.<\/p>\n

    When I first trimmed my hair, it took longer than 20 minutes.\u00a0 I was nervous and I didn\u2019t exactly know what I was doing.\u00a0 So my log looked like:<\/p>\n

    First time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Tasks<\/strong><\/td>\nImpact<\/strong><\/td>\nQuality required<\/strong><\/td>\nEstimated Time<\/strong><\/td>\nActual Time<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0 Trim Hair<\/td>\nMe<\/td>\nLow<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wash hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n3 min<\/td>\n2 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cut hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n20 min<\/td>\n25 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dry hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n30 min<\/td>\n30 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Re-trim hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n20 min<\/td>\n25 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Forth time<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Tasks<\/strong><\/td>\nImpact<\/strong><\/td>\nQuality required<\/strong><\/td>\nEstimated Time<\/strong><\/td>\nActual Time<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0 Trim Hair<\/td>\nMe<\/td>\nLow<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wash hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n2 min<\/td>\n2 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cut hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n25 min<\/td>\n20 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dry hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n30 min<\/td>\nn\/a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Re-trim hair<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n25 min<\/td>\nn\/a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Tenth time<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Tasks<\/strong><\/td>\nImpact<\/strong><\/td>\nQuality required<\/strong><\/td>\nEstimated Time<\/strong><\/td>\nActual Time<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0 Trim Hair<\/td>\nMe<\/td>\nLow<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wash hair<\/td>\nMe<\/td>\n <\/td>\n2 min<\/td>\n2 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cut hair<\/td>\nMe<\/td>\n <\/td>\n18 min<\/td>\n18 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Because I have logged my experiences with my hair trimming, I know exactly how long this task will take me.<\/p>\n

    But, what if I was preparing for a show on Oprah (if anyone knows Oprah, please give me a call) or a gala for the launch of my new book?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Impact and Quality required would be drastically different.\u00a0 The change in impact and reason for the hair cut greatly affects how I am going to approach this task.\u00a0 Spending a few hours at the hair salon is now worth it to me.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    It is the same with a software project.\u00a0 If the reason for my work is to produce a quick sample, prototype or skeleton of my direction, the quality required would be low.\u00a0 Therefore, I would only spend enough time to adequately convey the concept.\u00a0 If, however, the presentation is for the board of executives, my work will need to be of higher quality.<\/p>\n

    Using the chart for effective communications:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    So, what if I was preparing a presentation for an executive in my office?\u00a0 I\u2019m trying to make it perfect.<\/p>\n

    My boss has giving me 2 weeks to do it.\u00a0 I wanted to illustrate to my boss that I knew what I was doing and I was up to the challenge.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Tasks<\/strong><\/td>\nImpact<\/strong><\/td>\nQuality required<\/strong><\/td>\nEstimated Time<\/strong><\/td>\nActual Time<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0 Presentation<\/td>\nIt would impact my boss, my career and possibly by boss\u2019 reputation.<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\n2 weeks<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Initial consultation on what is required<\/td>\n <\/td>\n\u00a0Required high level understanding of full project<\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Presentation complete<\/td>\nI was interrupted with other things and was able to complete project just in time.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n\u00a02 weeks<\/td>\n2 weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Review with boss<\/td>\nBOSS did not like it and I had to start all over again!!!\u00a0\u00a0 I missed the deadline.\u00a0 My reputation is affected.<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Another way to approach the task is to incorporate communication and active listening techniques.\u00a0 This is also another form of \u201citerative development\u201d.<\/p>\n

    Another way to approach the task is to incorporate communication and active listening techniques.\u00a0 Create early prototypes and skeletons for management review.\u00a0 This allows them to see your progress, redirect if necessary, and provide additional resources when required.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Tasks<\/strong><\/td>\nImpact<\/strong><\/td>\nQuality required<\/strong><\/td>\nEstimated Time<\/strong><\/td>\nActual Time<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0 Presentation<\/td>\nIt would impact my boss, his reputation and me.<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\n2 weeks<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Initial consultation on what is required<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Skeleton presentation<\/td>\nI paraphrased what I thought he said, and drafted a quick skeleton presentation for my boss to review<\/td>\n\u00a0Low<\/td>\n1 day<\/td>\n1 day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Review with boss<\/td>\nBoss did not like it, and gave me further instructions and direction<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2nd<\/sup> Skeleton presentation<\/td>\nI paraphrased what I thought he said, and put a quick\u00a0 2nd<\/sup> skeleton together for my boss to review<\/strong><\/td>\nLow<\/td>\n1 day<\/td>\n\u00bd day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Review with boss<\/td>\nBoss really liked the second skeleton.\u00a0 His suggestions sparked more ideas from me.\u00a0 He approved my new ideas and provided me some additional resources for the task.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Presentation draft complete<\/td>\nGot interrupted, but was able to hand-off those interruptions to the additional resources my boss gave me.<\/td>\nMedium<\/td>\n4 days<\/td>\n5 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Presentation draft review with boss<\/td>\nDid a quick review with my boss within 3 days of the final deadline.<\/p>\n

    This allowed him to know what I was presenting with plenty of time to change anything.<\/td>\n

    		 <\/td>\n1 hour<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Final Presentation<\/td>\n <\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\n2 hours<\/td>\n2 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Release time<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n6 days<\/td>\n7 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Remember your overall goal isn\u2019t to provide your boss with a perfect product or service the first time.\u00a0 Your overall goal is to present an adequate product or service that meets the client\u2019s needs at the end of 2 weeks. So spending energy on having it right the first time is wasteful, especially if you are not the one deciding the \u201cright-ness\u201d of the project.\u00a0\u00a0 Acknowledge upfront that you (and perhaps even your boss) won\u2019t clearly understand the \u201cright direction\u201d until your present mini-skeletons along the way.\u00a0\u00a0 Often times a manager doesn\u2019t give clear directions because he is unclear himself.\u00a0 He will \u201cknow it when he sees it\u201d, but often has trouble articulating it until he does see it.<\/p>\n

    The next installment of this article will uncover how to use estimation and charting to streamline your process.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Time is just a form of measurement. It\u2019s a tool for our convenience. One of the uses for \u201ctime\u201d is to synchronize pieces of a project: to schedule the various work products and integrate into a quality product, service or event. Inaccurate estimating skills slow down the entire team and builds resentment in those required to pick-up the slack.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1508,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1,854,847,848,849],"tags":[195,39,33,64,167,1370,17,38],"class_list":["post-7491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-leadership","category-miscellaneous","category-pmbok-process-planning","category-self-leadership","category-1-1-leadership","category-team-leadership","tag-accountability","tag-best-practices","tag-common-sense","tag-communication","tag-continuous-improvement","tag-leadership","tag-lessons-learned","tag-project-management"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1508"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7491"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8971,"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7491\/revisions\/8971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}