http://ayende.comAyende @ RahienCopyright (C) Ayende Rahien 2004 - 2021 (c) 202660Isn't this essentially what Joel said in his classic post on software scheduling (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000245.html)? http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment6http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment6Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:57:49 GMTIt is interesting that you have such a large estimation units. Our minimum estimation unit is half an hour, and our maximum estimation unit is 2 days. Developer has to finish about 3.5 hours of work each day (this is for coffee, lunch, etc). If developers says that something is over two days he is either not sure of the actual tasks or just doing summing in his head, and then others would like to know about what is he summing. http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment5http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment5Thu, 09 Aug 2007 06:10:24 GMTTo be honest, I don't either. A long time ago the army beat (well more accurately ran and PT'd) into me a sense of responsibility. It depends a lot on the client. Usually you get a feel for those who have preconceived plans, and those that want honest input to help them make decisions. However, I've learned to accept that as a consultant most business decisions are not mine to make. And, if the business wants to unilaterally make these decisions, that is not my concern. I will support them as best as I *reasonably* can (that is my job as a consultant), but that is all I can do. http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment4http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment4Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:28:17 GMT@Tom, I don't like that, because then I feel responsible for the set date. http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment3http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment3Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:17:00 GMTI agree. See my thoughts on correct estimation in here: http://anavish.livejournal.com/28297.html http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment2http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment2Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:21:22 GMTTasks that big, I sometimes ask "How long do you want it to take?" I find that people asking those types of questions tend to already have a timeline/timeframe in mind, and are merely asking you to independently confirm. It's easier on my nerves and blood pressure to just tell them what they want to hear, and then let them deal with the deadline that whisltes by at high speed. http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment1http://ayende.com/2692/you-cant-estimate-a-month#comment1Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:25:33 GMT