Project Management- Chapter 8 Ideas

I have learned three golden rules for all projects in this Chapter. These rules emphasize the appropriate attitude toward estimation. First, have the right people make the estimates. Three factors define who the right people are: 1. The estimators must be experienced with the work they are estimating. No matter which techniques are used, estimating is always based on an understanding of the work to be done.2. The people who will actually perform the work should also be involved in estimating it. They will have the best grasp of their own limitations. They will know, for example, just how much time their schedule will allow them to work on this project.
3. The estimators must understand the goals and techniques of estimating. Even when people understand the task at hand, they should not be allowed to estimate their own work until they learn both how to estimate and the goal of estimating.
Second, base the estimate on experience. Even though no two projects are alike, there are often enough similarities that perfomance data frompast projects are useful in estimating future ones. Professional estimators constantly use new performance data to refine their estimating models.
Third, don't negotiate the estimate-negotiate the equilibrium. There are effective ways of countering attempts to meddle with an estimate. Dickering over cost or schedule alone throws the entire estimate out of equilibrium. While no estimate will go unchallenged, the proper defense is to demonstrate how the estimat eis tied to the product specification and work breakdown structure. When estimates are developed correctly, they can be reduced only by changing the product or the productivity of the workers.