Scoping

• Inceptions are mostly about the why
• Try to cut similar sized chunks of work
• Alternatively, estimate t-shirt sizes: S/M/L or 1, 2, 3
• PM, customer, QA should estimate as a sanity check ONLY
• Designers’ estimates can be included with devs’ estimates
• Try to estimate on a weekly basis... anything finer grained than that is likely self-delusion
• Fill up 3 weeks and take an average, and then check: does it feel right?

Measurement

• Yesterday’s weather is usually very accurate
• If you don't have yesterday's weather, default to 2 points or M
• Give yourself a wider window (2 or 3 weeks) to avoid sharp spikes at Holi
• Prefer one week iterations as a basic skeleton
• Prefer the simplest estimation possible
• Never change estimation approach mid-project
• DO NOT compensate for irregularities – sick leave and holidays are real
• Consider making an exception for serious illness, weddings, sabbaticals and unexpected events

Projection

• Take what was measured, mark it against the scope, project into the future
• Do not adjust, do not compensate, do not pad work/estimates