Tasks estimation strategies
There are plenty of methods to estimate task complexity.
I will list the most popular of them for you to be able to respond to a question:
- Bottom-Up Estimating - break larger tasks down into detailed tasks, and then estimate the time needed to complete each one.
- Top-Down Estimating - develop an overview of the expected timeline first, using past projects or previous experience as a guide.
- Comparative Estimating - look at the time it took to do similar tasks on other projects.
- Parametric Estimating - estimate the time required for one deliverable and then multiply it by the number of deliverables required.
- Three-Point Estimating - can do three estimates – one for the best case, another for the worst case, and a final one for the most likely case.
I found this link usefull:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_effort_estimation
According to the link above there are such methods like:
- Analogy-based estimation - Formal estimation model - ANGEL, Weighted Micro Function Points
- WBS-based (bottom up) estimation - Expert estimation - Project management software, company specific activity templates
- Parametric models - Formal estimation model - COCOMO, SLIM, SEER-SEM, TruePlanning for Software
- Size-based estimation models - Formal estimation model - Function Point Analysis, Use Case Analysis, Use Case Points, SSU (Software Size Unit), Story points-based estimation in Agile software development, Object Points
- Group estimation - Expert estimation - Planning poker, Wideband Delphi
- Mechanical combination - Combination-based estimation - Average of an analogy-based and a Work breakdown structure-based effort estimate
- Judgmental combination - Combination-based estimation - Expert judgment based on estimates from a parametric model and group estimation
To estimate time effectively, follow this four-step process:
- Understand what's required.
- Prioritize activities and tasks.
- Decide who you need to involve.
- Do your estimates.