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NFJS2025

When is an Estimate Just an Estimate?

All software projects have to provide estimates. Webster defines estimate as, “to determine roughly the size, extent, or nature of”. Whens the last time you provided an estimate that wasn't taken as a guarantee?

The movement toward Agile software development has been to put estimates back in their place, as rough sizing techniques. Estimating should be quick, yet based on something concrete so that it has meaning. This session will introduce some simple techniques for estimating things on your software projects (requirements, tasks, etc.), and provide hints on variations that have been applied on real world projects. These techniques are aimed at lowering the bar to adopting and integrating true estimation into your current project.

Topics covered in this practical, hands on session are:

  • What are the cultural problems around estimating?
  • What factors can influence the ability and accuracy of estimates?
  • What key factors can improve project estimates over time?
  • What are some techniques that you can start using next week to improve estimates?

Derek Lane

About Derek Lane

Derek Lane is the CTO at Semantra. He has worn various hats in his career including mentor, coach, architect, manager, developer, trainer, methodologist and all around cool guy. Derek is a contributor to various projects as author, presenter, committer, and technical reviewer, including his most recent role as co-author for the book, “EJB3 In Action”, published by Manning.

Derek is the Founder of both the Oklahoma City Java User Group (OKCJUG) and the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas MicroJava User Group; and has been active as a member, presenter, and mentor for over a decade at various technology user groups across the Midwest and Southern US.

Derek can on occasion be found utilizing his background in engineering, Virtual Reality and 3D graphics to think in four or more dimensions - some of which have yet to be independently verified. When not exploring the mind numbing edge of technology, he can be found listening to Bluegrass music and watching old Kung Fu movies - a dangerous combination from any point of view.

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