Software Estimation Without Guessing


Book Description

Estimating software development often produces more angst than value, but it doesn't have to. Identify the needs behind estimate requests and determine how to meet those needs simply and easily. Choose estimation techniques based on current needs and available information, gaining benefit while reducing cost and effort. Detect bad assumptions that might sink your project if you don't adjust your plans. Discover what to do when an estimate is wrong, how to recover, and how to use that knowledge for future planning. Learn to communicate about estimates in a healthy and productive way, maximizing advantage to the organization and minimizing damage to the people. In a world where most developers hate estimation and most managers fear disappointment with the results, there is hope for both. It requires giving up some widely held misconceptions. Let go of the notion that "an estimate is an estimate" and estimate for the particular need you, and your organization, have. Realize that estimates have a limited shelf-life, and reestimate frequently if it's important. When reality differs from your estimate, don't lament; mine that disappointment for the gold that can be the longer-term jackpot. Estimate in comparison to past experience, by modeling the work mathematically, or a hybrid of both. Learn strategies for effective decomposition of work and aspects of the work that likely affect your estimates. Hedge your bets by comparing the results of different approaches. Find out what to do when an estimate proves wrong. And they will. They're estimates, after all. You'll discover that you can use estimates to warn you of danger so you can take appropriate action in time. Learn some crucial techniques to understand and communicate with those who need to understand. Address both the technical and sociological aspects of estimation, and you'll help your organization achieve its desired goals with less drama and more benefit. What You Need: No software needed, just your past experience and concern for the outcomes.




Learn to Estimate


Book Description

"How many marbles are in the jar? You can make a good guess. You can estimate." -- Back cover.




Let's Estimate


Book Description

Partying dinos explain estimation in this entertaining introduction by a tried-and-true team of fun math book creators. How much pizza do you need for a dinosaur party? If you don't know exactly, you have to estimate! This lively introduction to the mathematical concept of estimation is straightforward and fun. With brilliant clarity, David A. Adler explains what an estimate is and the difference between estimating and rounding. Edward Miller's colorful and energetic artwork offers the perfect accompaniment to concise, engaging text. Filled with graspable examples and simple explanations, Let's Estimate will have kids estimating like pros!




How to Estimate with RSMeans Data


Book Description

Using North America's most recognized construction cost data from RSMeans, this step-by-step guide develops problem-solving skills through over 300 sample problems and exercises. All of the major construction items, including site work, concrete and masonry, wood and metal framing, doors and windows, and more are covered. Access to a password-protected web site is included, which contains the instruction version of RSMeans Cos/Works, the electronic version of RS Means Building Construction Cost Data, and sample building plans and spreadsheets, enabling you to practice creating a complete construction estimate.




Markup & Profit


Book Description

In order to succeed in a construction business you have to be able to mark up the price of your jobs to cover overhead expenses and make a decent profit. The problem is how much to mark it up. You don't want to lose jobs because you charge too much, and you don't want to work for free because you've charged too little. If you know how much to mark up you can apply it to your job costs and arrive at the right sales price for your work. This book gives you the background and the calculations necessary to easily figure the markup that is right for your business. Includes a CD-ROM with forms and checklists for your use.







Practice Standard for Project Estimating - Second Edition


Book Description

Project estimating plays a vital role in project management. Typically completed in the initial planning stages, accurate project estimation can be a difficult task. Organizations and project managers should use these initial estimates to baseline the project schedule and cost, then refine these estimates as the project develops. Accurate estimation and refinement of the estimates leads to better and earlier decision making, thus maximizing value.Developed within the framework of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK&® Guide) &– Sixth Edition and other PMI standards, the Practice Standard for Project Estimating &– Second Edition focuses on providing models for the project management profession in both plan-driven and change-driven adaptive (agile) life cycles. This practice standard describes the aspects of project estimating that are recognized as good practice on most projects most of the time and that are widely recognized and consistently applied.PMI practice standards describe processes, activities, constraints, inputs, and outputs for specific discipline subject areas and are targeted to all practitioners within projectized organizations, not just project managers.




Estimate Book Contractor


Book Description

Contractor Estimates Book| 150 pages The perfect way for contractors in all trades to record: client details job inquiries price quotes project details and much more. Dot grid note pages allow you to make sketches and take measurements when you're out estimating potential jobs. The perfect tool for contractors to take with them on jobs and to the office. Features: 150 pages double-sided non-perforated Size: 8.5 inches x 11 inches Useful for a number of trades: ◆ Building ◆ Joinery ◆ Tiling ◆ Gates & Railings ◆ Painting & Decorating ◆ Woodwork / Metalwork Projects ◆ Kitchen Design ◆ Bathroom Refit ◆ Fitted Bedroom Design ◆ Gardening and Landscaping Design Grab Yours Today and keep your Business in Order!!




Agile Estimating and Planning


Book Description

Agile Estimating and Planning is the definitive, practical guide to estimating and planning agile projects. In this book, Agile Alliance cofounder Mike Cohn discusses the philosophy of agile estimating and planning and shows you exactly how to get the job done, with real-world examples and case studies. Concepts are clearly illustrated and readers are guided, step by step, toward how to answer the following questions: What will we build? How big will it be? When must it be done? How much can I really complete by then? You will first learn what makes a good plan-and then what makes it agile. Using the techniques in Agile Estimating and Planning, you can stay agile from start to finish, saving time, conserving resources, and accomplishing more. Highlights include: Why conventional prescriptive planning fails and why agile planning works How to estimate feature size using story points and ideal days–and when to use each How and when to re-estimate How to prioritize features using both financial and nonfinancial approaches How to split large features into smaller, more manageable ones How to plan iterations and predict your team's initial rate of progress How to schedule projects that have unusually high uncertainty or schedule-related risk How to estimate projects that will be worked on by multiple teams Agile Estimating and Planning supports any agile, semiagile, or iterative process, including Scrum, XP, Feature-Driven Development, Crystal, Adaptive Software Development, DSDM, Unified Process, and many more. It will be an indispensable resource for every development manager, team leader, and team member.




How to Estimate Road Construction Accurately


Book Description

How To Estimate Road Construction Accurately is expressly designed for estimators and owners of small construction businesses who are interested in producing accurate and profitable unit price bids for road and infrastructure construction. Your ability to grasp and understand your costs is one of the most important skills needed for your success. Whatever your current position, estimator or company owner, your accuracy, competitiveness, and long-term success are dependent on your ability to know, understand and estimate your job costs. This guide will allow you to get comfortable with your estimating process. Included are many detailed illustrations and example estimates of how using my easy to learn bid template format is applied to actual road and infrastructure bid situations. Visit www.roadbidtemplates.com for more information on how using bid templates can help you in creating more accurate unit price bids.




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