Navigating the Quakes: Richter-Scale Estimating in Project Management
Project management, at its core, is about making predictions. How long will a task take? What resources are needed? While traditional estimation tools have their merits, they often fall short in capturing the intricacies of diverse tasks. Enter the Richter-scale estimating method, an approach that seeks to quantify tasks in a way that's both more intuitive and more realistic.
Understanding the Log Scale of Estimation
Drawing inspiration from the Richter scale—which measures earthquake magnitudes—our estimation approach operates on a logarithmic scale. Tasks could span:
- Hard: Engaging a developer for a solid 12 weeks.
- Medium: Engaging a developer for two to three weeks.
- Easy: Engaging a developer for two to three days.
This approach strips away the ambiguity of partial or in-between estimates, providing a clear and streamlined view of resource allocation and task duration.
Refining the Dev Scheduling Paradigm
Rather than tethering features to exact dates, we anchor them to broader landmarks: milestones, betas, and releases. A well-defined dev schedule should:
- Position must-have features within the first 12-week milestone.
- Slot like-to-have features in the subsequent milestone.
- Place wish features in the third milestone.
However, as projects evolve, it's common for some like-to-have and wish features to be pruned, especially as the end of the third milestone looms.
Risk Management: The Central Pillar
At the heart of development costing and scheduling lies risk management. The ultimate goal is delivering the right features, of the highest quality, at the opportune moment.
A meticulous dev schedule mitigates risks. It prioritizes vital features that resonate with and serve our customers. Subsequent features are sequenced based on their value and synergy.
The emphasis is on adaptability. Features that change in scope or complexity must be met with swift resource adjustments, ensuring that the delivery of critical elements remains unaffected.
Dismantling the "Feature Dates" Myth
While there's widespread agreement on the primacy of must-have features, translating this into practice proves elusive. These foundational features—encompassing aspects like build, compatibility, and performance—may seem mundane but are crucial. Overlooking them often leads to unnecessary delays.
The fixation on "feature dates" is a red herring. When developers are beholden to these, they might become less forthcoming about potential delays, hoping they can offset the lag. This mindset can be counterproductive.
Only broader timelines—milestones and betas—should be the focal point. These offer more room for adjustments, ensuring a comprehensive view of the project’s trajectory.
Wrapping Up
Richter-scale estimating offers a fresh lens for project management. By honing in on risk management and valuing milestones over rigid feature dates, teams can steer projects with precision, balancing timely delivery with unwavering quality.