Software Architect's Handbook

Putting effort into the estimates

Sometimes, estimation is done informally. You may be asked to provide an estimate or an opinion on the spot without an opportunity to analyze the work further. You want to establish a culture within the organization that values putting effort into the estimates, rather than off-the-cuff estimates that amount to little more than guesswork.

If you are asked by someone to provide an estimate for a task extemporaneously, and you are not comfortable doing so, ask whether it's acceptable to get back to them. This will slow the process down, and provide you with an opportunity to conduct a proper analysis before providing an estimate. Sometimes, if you are on the spot to provide an estimate, it is easy to be inaccurate ...