Project Management: Project Estimating

Course Overview

All projects should be properly planned and planning must include accurate estimating of time and effort. The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the general principles and methods of estimating together with practical advice on the achievement of accurate estimation.

Audience

IT management, project managers, stage managers, IT estimating and metrics team members. User managers with estimating responsibility.

Skills Gained

To provide an understanding of the factors contributing to accurate estimating and practical advice to achieve such estimates.

Skills Gained

This course will enable delegates to:

• Explain the concepts and methods of estimating at project and detailed level.
• Understand the benefits of top-down and bottom-up estimating techniques.
• Use a standard estimating framework.
• Be aware of published suggested adjustments for specific project issues.
• Define the key metrics necessary to improve an organisations estimating for the future.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of systems development is assumed.

Course Outline

• The Principles of estimating
• What can realistically be achieved
• When to undertake or re-evaluate estimates
• Who should be involved
• Approaches to estimating
• Bottom up. Top Down. Algorithmic. FPA. Analogy.
• Estimating procedures
• A 6 stage approach.
• Standard adjustments for specific project issues
• Estimating FPA counts
• Commonly used phased ratios
• Developing estimates for projects using Structured System Development Methods
• An algorithmic bottom up approach
• Implementing estimating techniques

Follow On Courses

No follow-on courses have been defined

Notes

A 2 day workshop that addresses Function Point Analysis techniques is also available as an in-house only, course code FPA.