Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide, 5th Edition

7

Estimating the Work

In this Chapter

• Understand the importance that estimating plays in the success of a project

• Understand how estimating is used to manage project risk

• Review the common reasons for poor estimates and how to avoid them

• Review the key estimating techniques and methods

• Understand the power of bottom-up estimating

• Learn how to properly ask for an estimate

• Understand how to deal with uncertainty

• Learn the best estimating practices of successful projects

Estimating. Nothing else symbolizes the challenges of project management better. Negotiate with senior management and customers to prevent “ball park” estimates from becoming your targets; team with subject matter experts (SMEs) and knowledge workers to develop accurate estimates ...