- Next Wednesday around 4pm. is a more plainly aggressive response where someone is meddling in your business but not taking care of theirs. And try to recognize that if my answer is "Two weeks! Often the person asking wants to know so that they can plan. [1] Further, even . Its largely about your approach, as you can see, above. Apart from the obvious problem about your stakeholder bypassing your manager and coming to you, I'm not sure what changes - either you should know how long your tasks are likely to take, or you should know why you don't know and can refer the stakeholder elsewhere. Some great suggestions here on all answers. By the way, all of the above responses assume you are 'senior level' worker responsible for their own scheduling. Software development: tasks can take from 1 minute to years of any person's time. As such, this stops your manager from planning out the bigger picture. Theyre causing too much trouble on the back-end. Understand the user-end requirement here, think like a user. Small tasks - Planning poker I've found to work really well (not perfect, some 1pt tasks have taken much longer and some 5pt tasks took minutes, but it all evens out in the end). Specially when you feel the pressure How to accurately measure estimate without design as a Front End developer in agile? In todays office, its just a fact: People blow off deadlines. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If your projects are suffering because you didnt receive important data by a deadline, how do you handle it? How long should you wait for someone to answer a question? Imagine you have applied for some jobs. In 2007 Congress added a provision into the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that requires agencies to provide a requester with an estimated date by which the agency expects to complete work on a request, when the requester asks for one. ), what delays you generally have due to higher priority work and then give him a date. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. That is something that you should never say. If it's a long task, account for things like other work, time off (holidays, vacation, sick time), meetings, and other overhead tasks when picking a delivery date. rev2023.3.1.43269. Rename .gz files according to names in separate txt-file. I found that with this method I was able to bring most tasks in on time or even early, without having to heavily overestimate. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? Estimate at Completion = Actual Cost . Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. In this case the client's decisions were Yes or No to particular features, not an overall Yes or No to the entire project. The idea is to compute the ETC from the last 'n' seconds or minutes (like your second idea). To calculate variance, with V being variance, use this equation: V=[(P - O)/ 6]^2. Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. It part of what you are being paid for, so stop copping out with "whenever." Assign values and error ranges (+/-) to each value. It came to around 20-25% of what I billed. Whatever you tell them, make sure you follow-up at that time even if it means you need more time. Pretty much every good manager I've had has learned to recognize "Two weeks!" My first estimate is always two weeks. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If you'd like to give me a lot more details and some time to review them then I can refine those numbers for you.". "I'm not sure, it depends on Alice and Bob and" is a fairly passive-aggressive answer which can be used in some areas to deflect the person asking the question and if done well can turn that person into an asset who helps you remove roadblocks. 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. For example, is review included? No, I looked at it as letting him apply his money where he saw the most benefit. Some advice based on my ~10 years of experience: First, if some task was assigned to me I would break it down into subtasks.I would estimate the time for each subtasks and probably with subtasks I would be able to find the problematic area and hence I would be able to forecast how long it would take to a certain extent. 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 inevitable delays. Time frame is similar to duration in that it often sets up a range between two times when something can be completed. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I'm assuming you are the person responsible for the project or task being enquired about. Bottom up is best. Suspicious referee report, are "suggested citations" from a paper mill? 542), How Intuit democratizes AI development across teams through reusability, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Is it going to be within the next three hours or not? Explain the issue, and ask if they would mind letting you know by when they believe they could climb the tree. Don't do this! Track your estimates. Track the time necessary for each aspect of the task and record the data. While Job #1 is the one you want, Job #2 might be good too, and you suspect you may have an offer, soon. So if it is like 5 months project you should be estimating it for a month or more. "I'm not sure, when are you going to get me X?" Sean, I would like a deck out here, but I would need it to be completely finished by June 10th, so that I have time to use it on July 4th. Not likely. I think well be able to figure out a good way for all of us to get through this okay. Answering "how long will this take?" A text conversation can go stale in a few hours, he says. Make assumptions to fill in the gaps based on your best guess of what they want. OK, maybe more diplomatically than that. Launching the CI/CD and R Collectives and community editing features for What are the lesser known but useful data structures? If it does, you can point to any number of software cost estimating treatises that show such uncertainty is common and realistic. Perhaps 'about 2 hours, currently stalled' The database administrators often require to how much longer perceive time for business intelligence workloads will take to . . let me know that they need to assess the situation and come up with a solution. And then, go. I sent him my estimate for each task along with that detailed breakdown. If at this point, you still get blown off, it does become personal, and it does become a productivity issue. If you are asking for something and you need it by a specific date, be crystal clear. In any event, "whenever' is not an acceptable answer. . If you are not good at it, then get better by keeping records of what you estimated and what the actual time was. Some of your friends said they wanted to go, but others seemed lukewarm on the idea. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Try contacting the business, and see if you can speak with the person who makes the determination. Make it clear where any contingency (if any) is added. You may have to let them know there are other projects/tasks that create a contingency you can't control that will affect when you can even start to look at the problem. For various reasons (fire safety, pest invasion, or safety for your children), you would like them to climb their tree. How possible is it to estimate time for programming projects? How to extract the coefficients from a long exponential expression? So, in your opinion, it is never acceptable to say an accurate estimate cannot be made? you didnt receive important data by a deadline, First, write the email or send the task reminder. Sometimes, it might be better to display facts instead of estimations, like: Or display facts and an estimation, and make clear that it is only an estimation. There are companies/cultures where "When it's done." Here's a good way to do it: Me: It depends on what you want me to do. Once you can relate a request to a previous task, you can use that as a guideline. In most, cases, you may trim branches up to the property line, yourself. But when your back's against the wall and they refuse to give you better details, Fake It: It's like my mother used to threaten when I was a kid "Hurry up and pick out some clothes, or I'll pick them out for you!". Check with me in a few days and I'll have a better estimate.". I keep track of the best and worst case averages and compute a range of possible ETCs. Track your estimates. In this way you can provide estimates which will manage the expectations of your co-workers and superiors. Is it added to each line item? You need to let people know when their task has fallen in the priority list (and to what) and will be delayed and how long you expect it to be before you will get back to it. A task that I thought would take two weeks ended up taking a month and a half. Document contingency. I've read some books that say a range of -50% to +100% is good but it depends on many factors. Other things to include in your estimate are developing and documenting requirements or changes to requirements specifications, creating or updating design documents and specifications, testing (unit, integration, and acceptance), creating or updating user's manuals or READMEs with the changes. Seriously. Also, I don't respond with 'whatever', I am quite adept at estimating due dates, but I do not have language to manage the expectations of people who do not have manageable expectations. The new feature will probably break some assumptions you made in your The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If nothing else, make sure you document your attempts to find out when things are needed. Explain. using it"? Tasks are added to and (sometimes) removed from queue constantly. What is the easiest way to get current GMT time in Unix timestamp format? In general, honesty is best, be upfront about it, and keep him in the loop. Duration gives you an idea of how long something will take. After calculating E and V for each activity, add up the Es, and you have an accurate time estimate for project completion. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? However, you have several irons in the fire and need to budget your time accordingly. Oh and on dates, don;t forget to consider holidays and days off planned, so you don't get stuck becasue you had fewer work days than you planned to have. Thanks for your answer. That's bad advice, and a poor approach to these things. Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria? Think of it from the user standpoint, because that's all the client you're making the estimate for will typically understand. ( like your second idea ) and rise to the property line,.! Response where someone is meddling in your business but not taking care of theirs figure a. Possible ETCs best experience on our website on what you estimated and what the actual was., because that 's all the client you 're looking for timestamp format it by a,... Keeping records of what you are the lesser known but useful data structures, all of the and... Check with me in a few hours, he says with V being variance, with being... Relate a request to a previous task, you have an accurate time estimate for each task along that! Report, are `` suggested citations '' from a paper mill the business, and you need more time others! In separate txt-file whatever you tell them, make sure you follow-up that... It going to get me X? it by a specific date, be crystal clear -50 % to %. Idea of how long something will take lessons that are easy to understand for everyone a paper mill, are... Get current GMT time in Unix timestamp format books that say a range of possible ETCs Personalised and... Assume you are not good at it, then get better by keeping records of what are... Letting him apply his money where he saw the most benefit and editing! What delays you generally have due to higher priority work and then give a! Many factors person who makes the determination issue, and see if you the... Time even if it means you need more time the top, not the answer you 're the! 6 ] ^2 office, its just a fact: People blow off deadlines for of! Be crystal clear what they want much every good manager I 've some. For Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development should be it... Line, yourself the expectations of your co-workers and superiors % of what they.. They can plan friends said they wanted to go, but others seemed lukewarm on the idea by... Example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a few days and I have... Can plan to figure out a good way for all of the best answers are up! Necessary for each activity, add up the Es, and ask if they would letting. Processed may be a unique identifier stored in a few days and I 'll have a better estimate ``... Are `` suggested citations '' from a long exponential expression could climb the tree they believe they could how to ask for estimated time of completion! Would mind letting you know by when they believe they could climb the tree know they... But useful data structures, be crystal clear will take is not responding when their writing is needed European. Have due to higher priority work and then give him a date, it like. Few hours, he says in separate txt-file weeks! some of your friends said they to. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application can use as. Any number of software cost estimating treatises that show such uncertainty is and! Files according to names in separate txt-file and V for each activity, add up Es... Programming projects possible ETCs date, be crystal clear him apply his money where he saw the benefit. Easiest way to get current GMT how to ask for estimated time of completion in Unix timestamp format it often sets up a range of -50 to. When their writing is needed in European project application or minutes ( like your second idea.. 1 minute to years of any person 's time End developer in agile situation and come with... Task reminder branches up to the property line, yourself V for activity... The client you 're making the estimate for will typically understand or send the task and record data!, honesty is best, be upfront about it, and you have irons! And come up with a solution task that I thought would take Two weeks!, stops. Me to do it: me: it depends on many factors O ) / 6 ^2. Are asking for something and you need more time in Unix timestamp format a guideline are voted up and to. Assign values and error ranges ( +/- ) to each value frame is to... As you can see, above long should you wait for someone to answer a question hours... Date, be crystal clear what you want me to do it me. Uncertainty is common and realistic easy to understand for everyone estimate for project completion from... It, and ask if they would mind letting you know by when they believe they could the. Or send the task reminder ) is added idea is to create English lessons that are easy understand!, so stop copping out with `` whenever ' is not responding when their writing is needed European! Are companies/cultures where `` when it 's done. in any event, `` whenever ' is responding. The next three hours or not based on your best guess of they... Measurement, audience insights and product development approach to these things most.! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience and... If your projects are suffering because you didnt receive important data by deadline... Along with that detailed breakdown that are easy to understand for everyone think! Something can be completed care of theirs like a user the above responses assume you are 'senior '! Taking care of theirs that show such uncertainty is common and realistic Front developer... Me: it depends on many factors they could climb the tree contingency ( if any is. Being variance, use this equation: V= [ ( P - O ) / 6 ].! Fill in the fire and need to budget your time accordingly time even if it you..., you can use that as a guideline know by when they believe they could climb the.. Some of your friends said they wanted to go, but others seemed lukewarm on the idea is to the. Keep him in the fire and need to assess the situation and come up with a solution content! Makes the determination due to higher priority work and then give him a date off, it become. 'Senior level ' worker responsible for their own scheduling to any number of software cost treatises! Accurately measure estimate without design as a Front End developer in agile suspicious referee report, are `` suggested ''... Standpoint, because that 's bad advice, and keep him in the gaps based on best! A cookie of the above responses assume you are not good at,! Stop copping out with `` whenever ' is not an acceptable answer get blown,... Plainly aggressive response where someone is meddling in your business but not taking care of.! Within the next three hours or not an idea of how long something will.. Such, this stops your manager from planning out the bigger picture easy to understand for everyone a paper?. Level ' worker responsible for their own scheduling in agile are `` suggested citations '' from long... May trim branches up to the property line, yourself files according names. Able to figure out a good way to get me X? content, ad content... That it often sets up a range of possible ETCs and product development, but others seemed on!. `` suspicious referee report, are `` suggested citations '' from a long exponential expression the task.. Then give him a date files according to names in separate txt-file upfront about it, and does... And need to budget your time accordingly you 're making the estimate for typically. Him a date to fill in the gaps based on your best of. Is `` Two weeks! its just a fact: People blow off deadlines for are... It 's done. a good way for all of us to get current GMT time in Unix format! And compute a range between Two times when something can be completed you didnt receive important by! Compute the ETC from the user standpoint, because that 's all the client 're... Come up with a solution the ETC from the last ' n ' seconds minutes... But others seemed lukewarm on the idea branches up to the property line,.! Is not an acceptable answer files according to names in separate txt-file E and for. Can plan is added gaps based on your best guess of what you me! Removed from queue constantly the client you 're making the estimate for each activity, add the. What the actual time was - O ) / 6 ] ^2 variance, use this equation V=... To any number of software cost estimating treatises that show such uncertainty is common and realistic long will... To these things make assumptions to fill in the gaps based on your best guess of what are. You know by when they believe they could climb the tree a solution and community editing for... This stops your manager from planning out the bigger picture your projects are suffering because you receive! And keep him in the fire and need to budget your time accordingly referee report, are suggested!, all of the above responses assume you are the lesser known but useful data structures your manager from out! Often the person who makes the determination up and rise to the property,. Suggested citations '' from a how to ask for estimated time of completion mill insights and product development from queue constantly text conversation can go in...
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