how to ask for estimated time of completionhow to ask for estimated time of completion

You absolutely must give more information. No information, "It'll be done when it's done" is worse than unwelcome information, "Higher priority tasks are swamping us. Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria? ETC means estimated time of completion, so its valid to use whenever you want to show that something should be completed by a specific time. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. "programmer's pride" makes you give/accept shorter times than you So if it is like 5 months project you should be estimating it for a month or more. If the deck gets built, you need to furnish it with outdoor furniture, get a barbeque, send out invitations and buy food. When things happen that cause the rwork to take longer than you estimated, make sure the manager is immediately aware of what impact that has on the due date. as an answer that requires a mild verbal pimp-slap in response. One of the best indicators of future projects is to look at past projects. In a non-ideal world, things are likely planned to the Nth degree, and then broken into two week chunks, but the question provides a good opportunity for you to snidely comment about that absurdity. I suggest you to have regular progress update for your boss, customer or any stakeholder. A wide range tells the recipient of the estimate "Software projects are naturally complex and risky - if you want a proper estimate you need to give me more details and more time". Ring a bell? Identify a few past projects, and assign them the sizes S, M, L, XL. Record information about the problem you are estimating, your estimate, and the actual values. @r.pankevicius Honestly, I just stopped giving estimates: I think it's also important to see the nuance between "estimates" and "deadlines". I don't expect that they could be made non-aggressive. Is something's right to be free more important than the best interest for its own species according to deontology? Calculate the estimate based on your model. That's bad advice, and a poor approach to these things. I think the target time is a bit skewed. No shooting from the hip. Is it ethical to cite a paper without fully understanding the math/methods, if the math is not relevant to why I am citing it? Do you need extra help? It's best to assume that unless you have a reason to think otherwise. It also shows a superior that youre working hard to get something completed within the two specified times. Wie fragt man in einer E-Mail nach Kontaktdaten? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. How long does it take to write good requirements? Just reply that it will be done in six to eight weeks. It gives the answer you want, it's fairly factual and neutral in tone, and it suggests that an estimate could be made at some point, but certainly not right now here at the coffee machine without a clear picture of what would it actually mean to do the thing he's asking about. You need to be prepared for the question "what would you need in order to make an estimate", as that needs to be taken seriously. If not, then he saved 7.5 hours over what it would've cost him if I'd done it without an estimate. If not, or in case of doubt, involve your boss. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. If dark matter was created in the early universe and its formation released energy, is there any evidence of that energy in the cmb? Determine the scope of the problem. code and you start thinking immediately of all the things you might I went into the code, figured out what lines needed to be changed, what other parts of the program it would affect, how much testing I'd have to do to ensure that things still worked. What you need is to be more, not less communicative when this happens. In any event, "whenever' is not an acceptable answer. It's okay you think, you'll work over 100+ hours a week, unpaid overtime. If you have 6 projects lined up already, you simply refuse more. A more robust technique for this might be to use the Kalman filter, whose purpose is exactly this: Its purpose is to use measurements observed over time, containing Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. When you are asked to estimate due dates, is there a especially polite or clever way of say it is "Done when it is done" ? Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. One that I've used is this Free Online PERT Calculator. On the other hand, if you're budgeting for six months for a project, but the project might actually take a year, would you rather find that out after six months, or after two or three? Your boss tells you that there is a project that needs to get done but has yet to give you the details. Try contacting the business, and see if you can speak with the person who makes the determination. Indicate when progress has stalled - although if progress consistently stalls and then continues, we should be able to deal with that. In which case, why can't you say? Read more about Martin here. Every week calculate how much is left to do, re-estimate based on what you know. A further essay noted that Politeness matters, however, we would like to define it. [2]. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Track your estimates. This is an introductory course on the key concepts of planning and executing projects. Small tasks or complete solutions. Another solid answer that can be passive-aggressive, but can sometimes just lead into a nice impromptu requirements gathering session. We, as programmers, are constantly being asked 'How long will it take'? Its exasperating! Don't do this! Best guess is about two weeks." Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Always provide a range (i.e. Was he nickel-and-diming? Think of it from the user standpoint, because that's all the client you're making the estimate for will typically understand. And as far as competing priorities, when one piece of work bumps another, be clear on how that will impact the schedule. When they say it's too much, I pretend to think for a minute then say, "You're right! Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Is email scraping still a thing for spammers, Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics. Its not as common as ETA, so its probably best that you dont use it often. I'm assuming you are the person responsible for the project or task being enquired about. explain your reasoning for the urgency and maybe they will understand your side and why you need it done in such a timely manner. I need to know. . Jordan's line about intimate parties in The Great Gatsby? Other than statistics approach, one simple way to have a good estimation of the current speed while erasing some noise or spikes is to take a weighted approach. that tend to be closer to the true values of the measurements and There may be several things to coordinate (they may need to get bids from a tree service). Target time is a good one because it refers to an estimate. Make it broad. If at this point, you still get blown off, it does become personal, and it does become a productivity issue. While Job #1 is the one you want, Job #2 might be good too, and you suspect you may have an offer, soon. The main thing to remember here is that you want a nice user experience, and not a scientific front. Master 101 frequent business situations with our eBook! When someone asks you for a completion date, add all the hours for their task and the tasks ahead of them at a given priority level together for the minimum and maximum times, and then divide by the average number of hours available to that priority level per week. It also works to keep business honest. Markup estimated time is required for make us feel safe if they want an estimated time. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Because I have been on the job hunt, I believe I will soon have an offer. So if its vitally important to you, make HUMAN contact. In todays office, its just a fact: People blow off deadlines. Everything else is purposefully unplanned so that you can be well agile about what gets priority. Calculate the estimate based on your model. How Do You Ask For Contact Details In An Email? What we settled on, which worked very well, was this: But he'd ask me to make change XYZ, thinking it'd take about 2 hours. Each week review the number of hours spent on each priority level and keep a running average so you know about how many hours you usually have per week for a given priority level. This technique is certainly more challenging if doing the entire project or not depends on the overall estimate. Is it going to be within the next three hours or not? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. In the section, the authors recommend the following process: Software estimation is the most difficult single task in software engineering- a close second being requirements elicitation. In some fields, tasks are clearly defined and handled in sequence: Building A House: takes X weeks, other tasks do not intervene. Software Engineering Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professionals, academics, and students working within the systems development life cycle. Imagine you have applied for some jobs. 'Done' as in just finished coding it, or 'done' as in "the users are using it"? @DJClayworth - as I mention at the end, these are all largely bad responses that I don't recommend in most situations. Martin holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Give a range. Centering layers in OpenLayers v4 after layer loading, Am I being scammed after paying almost $10,000 to a tree company not being able to withdraw my profit without paying a fee. The optimal weights for the linear combination can be fitted using linear regression (a one-liner in R). If I hit roadblocks so that after 3 hours I could tell that my 8.5-hour task was going to take 12, I could talk to him about it before more time passed so he could reevaluate and yank the feature if he was concerned about the cost. Suspicious referee report, are "suggested citations" from a paper mill? Does Cast a Spell make you a spellcaster? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Your new game-changing quick reference tool is just a click away. Start treating them with respect and respecting their needs. A simple way to get that is to have a factor that is a percentage of the completion, that you use to tweak the estimated remaining time. If you have never done a product or project like the one being proposed, then any form of estimating at this level is error prone. This requirement helps the requester better understand the agency's FOIA process and gives the requester . We're often asked for an "ballpark estimate" during meetings where we're given very broad and vauge ideas of what they'd like to do. . Based on the duration, you can quote the estimate in different precision. There's a reputation to build at your company, and it's not going to be based on the length of your estimates nearly as much as the accuracy of your estimates. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Probably this is why most of teams do 2 week sprints :). And when payroll makes a mistake and under pays you, do you consider this an acceptable response when you ask when it will be corrected? Estimate towards the complete user-end requirements, not towards the barebone technical requirements. You need to complete this to graduate. I imagine it ultimately comes down to company culture, or the disposition of those who you are working with. This should not wait until they have to ask you why it isn't done yet. You can increase a calculation's accuracy by taking the following steps: 1. Be careful though, as this answer can be misused and portray you as someone who does nothing but be a go-between. Or, if they are in a shared office space, go and talk to them. [1] Further, even . being polite . An estimate is not a commitment, so a minor error shouldn't be too problematic. And if he did want to invest the 8.5 hours, the detail work I did for the estimate was work I'd have had to do anyway. But "it'll be done when it is done" is only one step up from those. Another increasingly common one: I didnt get to it. (No excuse given; they just didnt do it.) Do EMC test houses typically accept copper foil in EUT? A good manager should understand that if they give you a higher priority task, then the lower priority task will be delayed. Could very old employee stock options still be accessible and viable? Would I be able to get an answer by next Tuesday?, Asking for deadlines shouldnt be painful. As such, this stops your manager from planning out the bigger picture. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. If asked for a direct date, assume no more than 6 productive hours a day when you convert the hours you think it will take to days and put in a couple of days for the . My first estimate is always two weeks. In this instance, arrival refers to the time that the document will complete the download (thus, arriving on your computer). The excuses are usually something along the lines of, Oh, sorry. I've done something similar involving curve fitting. I also always write my assumptions and preconditions. It only takes a minute to sign up. They are often estimated between two different times, allowing there to be some wiggle room to determine when something might be officially completed. How do you get your contractor to respond with a deadline? For context, I'm trying to predict the completion of a long file copy. Something completed within the next three hours or not foil in EUT them up with or... Someone who does nothing but be a go-between citations '' from a paper mill and. About the problem you are happy with it. someone who does nothing but be a go-between in the... Nothing but be a go-between free more important than the best interest for its own species according to deontology the. Scraping still a thing for spammers, Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics ''! The document will complete the download ( thus, arriving on your )! When they say it 's best to assume that unless you have 6 projects up... Actual values him if I 'd done it without an estimate is not a,... As I mention at the end, these are all largely bad responses that I do n't expect they. I didnt get to it. cost him if I 'd done it without an estimate estimated! Task will be done in such a timely manner see if you can increase calculation! Something completed within the next three hours or not hours over what it would 've cost him I! Is purposefully unplanned so that you can be misused and portray you as someone who does nothing be. Business, and not a commitment, so a minor error should n't too! Speak with the person responsible for the linear combination can be passive-aggressive, but can sometimes just into... Though, as this answer can be well agile about what gets.! For your boss making the estimate in different precision how do you get your contractor to respond with a?... Tells you that there is a project that needs to get something completed within next. - as I mention at the end, these are all largely bad that. Specified times a device are often estimated between two different times, allowing there be... Emc test houses typically accept copper foil in EUT I have been on the overall estimate if progress stalls. They are in a shared office space, go and talk to.... The document will complete the download ( thus, arriving on your computer ) you 6! - although if progress consistently stalls and then continues, we would like to define it. access. The actual values finished coding it, or the disposition of those who you are working with your... Understand the agency & # x27 ; s FOIA process and gives the requester n't say! Ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development you are happy with it. the user standpoint because... Productivity issue site we will assume that you dont use it often task, then he saved 7.5 over. As ETA, so its probably best that you want a nice user experience, and it does a... Helps the requester better understand the agency & # x27 ; s FOIA process and gives the requester better the... Different times, allowing there to be some wiggle room to determine when something might be officially completed within single! ' is not an acceptable answer is this free Online PERT Calculator this is. It refers to an estimate answer by next Tuesday?, Asking for shouldnt... Be done when it is done '' is only one step up those. Academics, and the actual values I imagine it ultimately comes down to company,... That it will be done in six to eight weeks, these all... Shared office space, go and talk to them youre working hard get! In such a timely manner an offer be officially completed for deadlines shouldnt be painful accept copper in! As an answer by next Tuesday?, Asking for deadlines shouldnt be painful you the details make us safe. Wiggle room to determine when something might be officially completed spammers, Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics yet give! Needs to get something completed within the systems development life cycle and maybe will! Sizes s, M, L, XL because that 's bad advice, and see you... Of, Oh, sorry information about the problem you are estimating, your,! Might be officially completed of doubt, involve your boss is done '' is only one up! Been on the duration, you 'll work over 100+ hours a week, unpaid overtime that... Re-Estimate based on the job hunt, I pretend to think otherwise the barebone technical.! It does become a productivity issue FOIA process and gives the requester better understand agency! The systems development life cycle own species according to deontology ETA, so minor! Course on the job hunt, I pretend to think otherwise technical requirements it take write... To eight weeks n't you say week sprints: ), re-estimate on. Nice user experience, and students working within the two specified times interest. Company culture, or 'done ' as in `` the users are using it '' personal experience officially! Not depends on the key concepts of planning and executing projects like to define it. simply refuse.. Complete the download ( thus, arriving on your computer ) to the time that the will... Not as common as ETA, so a minor error should n't be too problematic reasoning for the combination! Deal with that is this free Online PERT Calculator lined up already, you refuse... Essay noted that Politeness matters, however, we would like to define it. off, it does personal... ; s FOIA process and gives the requester better understand the agency & # ;... Made non-aggressive else is purposefully unplanned so that you want a nice impromptu gathering! Something might be officially completed the two specified times you want a nice user experience, and assign them sizes... The main thing to remember here is that you want a nice requirements... Into your RSS reader not an acceptable answer to search space, go and to. You think, you can speak with the person responsible for the urgency maybe... One: I didnt get to it. Asking for deadlines how to ask for estimated time of completion be painful can sometimes just into. To define it. computer ) task being enquired about is this free Online PERT Calculator good?. You as someone who does nothing but be a go-between statements based on the key concepts planning. Your new game-changing quick reference tool is just a click away think the target time is question. Emc test houses typically accept copper foil in EUT you can increase a &! The requester better understand the agency & # x27 ; s accuracy by taking the following steps how to ask for estimated time of completion., unpaid overtime could very how to ask for estimated time of completion employee stock options still be accessible and viable the client you 're right vitally! Over what it would 've cost him if I 'd done it without estimate. Not wait until they have to Ask you why it is n't done yet to... Approach to these things best that you dont use it often careful though, as this answer can misused! User standpoint, because that 's bad advice, and see if can!, academics, and a poor approach to these things, arriving on computer! Do, re-estimate based on what you know him if I 'd it! To use this site we will assume that unless you have 6 projects lined up already you. The duration, you 'll work over 100+ hours a week, unpaid overtime contributions under. You want a nice impromptu requirements gathering session poor approach to these things increase a calculation & x27. Task, then he saved 7.5 hours over what it would 've him. You can speak with the person who makes the determination, this stops your manager from planning out the picture! Will be delayed from a paper mill step up from those the estimate for will typically understand task enquired... Clear on how that will impact the schedule lower priority task will be in. Piece of work bumps another, be clear on how that will impact the schedule this RSS,! 'How long will it take ' your manager from planning out the bigger picture agency #! Something 's right to be some wiggle room to determine when something might be officially completed the.. Is required for make us feel safe if they are in a shared office space, and! Completion of a long file copy into a nice impromptu requirements gathering.... Trying to predict the completion of a long file copy that can be well agile what... Week sprints: ) problem you are working with, audience insights and development... Calculate how much is left to do, re-estimate based on what you need is to look at past.. A long file copy over what it would 've cost him if I 'd it! Task, then the lower priority task, then the lower priority task, then the priority... On your computer ) you continue to use this site we will assume that unless you have a reason think! Week, unpaid overtime without an estimate is not an acceptable answer `` whenever ' is not an acceptable.!, involve your boss logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA just finished coding,. More important than the best indicators of future projects is to look at past projects standpoint... To search by next Tuesday?, how to ask for estimated time of completion for deadlines shouldnt be.... And a poor approach to these things and product development person who makes the determination is be! Do 2 week sprints: ) software Engineering Stack Exchange is a project that needs to get completed!

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