Principles, Process and Practice of Professional Number Juggling

7 Pseudo-quantitative qualitative estimating techniques

If we heed the wisdom of Albert Einstein, we will recognise that sometimes we have to resort to a more qualitative or subjective assessment than rely exclusively on a quantitative or numerical evaluation. This often entails consultation with ‘experts’.

Some people hate accepting inputs with the Basis of Estimate as being ‘Expert Judgement’ or worse ‘Expert Opinion’ (implying possibly that opinion is not necessarily formed with the appropriate due judgement!). Others see them as a necessary evil. The problem is that they do not appear to be structured, or transparent and there is sometimes an assumption that they go unchallenged. Phrases like ‘Well, he/she’s the expert, not me!’ and ‘Their ...