doesn't always mean "Hurry up." "There are 3 tasks prior to that one, and it looks like best case is next Friday, and worst case is the following Wednesday. Calculate the estimate based on your model. (Off the record, I call these "guesstimates".). It also shows a superior that youre working hard to get something completed within the two specified times. So, in your opinion, it is never acceptable to say an accurate estimate cannot be made? Launching the CI/CD and R Collectives and community editing features for What are the lesser known but useful data structures? More interesting ideas here that I wouldn't have thought of. How to exempt oneself from giving project completion time estimates? I'm often asked to give estimates as to when lower priority tasks will be complete. Guess who gets perceived as the jackass? How possible is it to estimate time for programming projects? One way would be to put: Requesting Status Update (on the subject line) and write something similar to: As discussed, I am waiting for ________(name of project) which has a deadline of ________ and I would like to know, as of immediately, the status and your expected date of completion.. If you want to go, please let me know by 4:00 p.m. Hope you can make it! Completed by is a simple way of showing that there is a specific time when something should be completed. By the way, all of the above responses assume you are 'senior level' worker responsible for their own scheduling. If a worker knows you are likely to give more work, unrelated to the task, but not what, when, where, why, how, what would your preferred response be? If the baseline isn't stable the estimate is meaningless. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Its so easy nowadays to blow off technology. How long is acceptable to wait for a text? all the implications. If not, then he saved 7.5 hours over what it would've cost him if I'd done it without an estimate. However, sometimes we need to know something by a certain date. [1] Further, even . 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 . 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. It's a weather forecast. The preferred words are ETA, duration, and time frame. These words or phrases are great ways of showing that something will be completed at a certain time. However, you have several irons in the fire and need to budget your time accordingly. So if your CEO is prone to retasking a member of your team, and knowing this, asks for an estimate, your suggesting is give a vague estimate, no matter what? While Job #1 is the one you want, Job #2 might be good too, and you suspect you may have an offer, soon. How do you give your top choice a little nudge? How do you get your contractor to respond with a deadline? That response often will get a bad reaction. Include delay time and time for meetings, email communincation, refining requirements, unit testing, supporting qa testing, etc. Is there a reason you can't give at least a rough estimate? They just mean that you havent seen each other in a while. Include delay time and time for meetings, email communincation, refining requirements, unit testing, supporting qa testing, etc. You cannot simply say: I don't know. Small tasks or complete solutions. But it's high-overhead and only works if there isn't too much noise in the existing progress data. So if it is like 5 months project you should be estimating it for a month or more. When they say it's too much, I pretend to think for a minute then say, "You're right! Takedown request | View complete answer on uplandsoftware.com How do you ask did you check politely? "That depends, how well does it need to work?" (Are you the same Kyralessa from the joel on software boards?). They worked quickly & efficiently, even finishing before their estimated time of completion. rev2023.3.1.43269. In this case, its business, and its not so much about politely asking, its about telling. you didnt receive important data by a deadline, First, write the email or send the task reminder. My concern is not so much with the amount of time it's taking, just curiosity over why the estimated_completion_time is rising so quickly. Thanks for your answer. But it does. First, write the email or send the task reminder. Duration gives you an idea of how long something will take. Any alternative approaches to the two I have given. Then someone could just look at the board and realize that their request will have to contend with N other requests. How Do You Say Politely I Am Waiting For Your Reply? Are technical delays included? I cant be dealing with estimates right now. I would wait longer, but usually someone will crack before that. All these are legitimate reasons for not having a good estimate, but they are also problems you need to be proactively raising with your manager (or in the first case, you could get an acknowledgement from them that the task can slip to allow for higher priority stuff). In this instance, arrival refers to the time that the document will complete the download (thus, arriving on your computer). I've read some books that say a range of -50% to +100% is good but it depends on many factors. What factors changed the Ukrainians' belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022? This answer reinforces my belief that estimates must be given in hours, not in firm dates. "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. If the estimate is used for anything contractual or in a scenario where more precise timing is required, I do a full work break down. This approach estimates the completion time based on any of the above mentioned methods but considering 3 scenarios. In any event, "whenever' is not an acceptable answer. @DJClayworth does it help you in any way if you get told an arbitrary date, you make plans based on that date, and on that date find out the reality of "it will be done when it's done"? No shooting from the hip. I also always write my assumptions and preconditions. I'd estimate each piece in units of .1 hours (6 minutes). Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, Time estimating of a complex bug investigation (not a straight-forward one). The problem with giving a single number or a narrow range is that it paints you into a corner by setting expectations before any real analysis is done. It's okay you think, you'll work over 100+ hours a week, unpaid overtime. Model the system. How to Estimate Time Accurately Use these steps to make accurate time estimates: Step 1: Understand What's Required Start by identifying all of the work that needs to be done within the project. How do you estimate time required for assigned task? Once you provide your estimates (no matter how they are derived), keep your stakeholders in the loop if anything happens that will change your estimate - particularly as deadlines loom. What is the easiest way to get current GMT time in Unix timestamp format? After calculating E and V for each activity, add up the Es, and you have an accurate time estimate for project completion. The new feature will probably break some assumptions you made in your code and you start thinking immediately of all the things you might have to refactor. Is Completed or Has Been Completed Whats the Difference? ETA is acceptable to use in place of estimated time of completion. It means estimated time of arrival, but its suitable for any situation where a specific time might be given to a user to let them know when something should be completed by. But still all the planning would help only to a certain extent. Everyone should keep in mind the risks that come with software development estimating: underestimating, overestimating, total epic fail scenario etc. Use a three-point estimation. can make people more receptive to your ideas. This is kind of confusing to show in a GUI, but okay to show in a command line app. The excuses are usually something along the lines of, Oh, sorry. They may also be worried about hurting your feelings or coming off as being confrontational. You usually can't get away with being clever and saying "It will be done whenever it will be done" no matter how you frame it. It doesn't matter so much that you might have achieved an even better result in ~7% of the time that Joe took. Its not going to be completed by the original time we stated. Having tried to handle it amicably will have been documented if your neighbor suddenly objects. 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. If you track tasks and time already it shouldn't be hard, but even if you don't just keep a notepad, and every time you finish a task write down the priority level and how many hours you spent on it. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. tl;dr: I want to predict file copy completion. And the answer to the follow-up question is. Priorities changed at random. - Next Wednesday around 4pm. Saying that and nothing else lands you in severe danger of being considered uncooperative. Have you gathered enough information to find out the exact time frame? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? And then ask yourself: which project does that sound similar to in scope? I appreciate how patient youve been. I asked you to have it done and on my desk. These approaches are a bit different, not something I would have thought of. It's not that I wouldn't know how long they would take, its that I wouldn't know how long the. State explicitly what is included and excluded in the estimate. Browse other questions tagged, Where developers & technologists share private knowledge with coworkers, Reach developers & technologists worldwide. [1]: https://today.uconn.edu/2019/06/please-thank-impact-online-politeness/, [2]: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233700639_Politeness_Myth_and_truth. as an answer that requires a mild verbal pimp-slap in response. It was surprisingly accurate when determining estimated time of completion when maintaining and repairing electronic devices (complex radios and satellite comms equipment), where any number of things can be wrong or found and needed to be fix during routine maintenance. As a rule, clients need a ballpark figure at the beginning of the project. Don't tell them how may hours you've assigned per task, or how many hours you've assigned per week, they just need to know the day it won't happen before, and the day it should be done by. I did extremely detailed examination of the tasks. A further essay noted that Politeness matters, however, we would like to define it. [2]. A recent study from the University of Connecticut found that . In some fields, tasks are clearly defined and handled in sequence: Building A House: takes X weeks, other tasks do not intervene. Suspicious referee report, are "suggested citations" from a paper mill? Estimated time to complete is a value that is expressed in hours of work required to complete a task or project. I keep track of the best and worst case averages and compute a range of possible ETCs. I think the target time is a bit skewed. Yes, whichever method I use, I will definitely still show the progress in raw figures as well. If there are tasks that need to be done that never get done, you can consider implementing an time-based priority level increase. Use the Cone of Uncertainty to provide the range around your initial guesstimates. Fixed scope and resources - but I am being asked for an exact release date. Add 25-50% to your estimate so you have a higher chance of accurately estimating the time you need. Thankfully I knew I didn't have a proper grasp on the time requirement going in. There is a blog entry that outlines how to keep a record of how accurate your previous estimations have gone, and then next time you say to someone "it'll be two weeks", you can look at your previous history and see how long it actually took last time you said "it'll be two weeks". ), 9 Other Ways to Say Im Good At on a Resume, 10 Polite Ways to Say No Visitors after Surgery, 11 Best Ways to Say Im Here for You to a Loved One, 10 Professional Ways to Say I Am Not Feeling Well. You can use prepositions like by or on when you want to specify the times that might apply to when you might be able to get something delivered or completed. Not recommended. What matters is that you were 3 days off from a one week estimate. Wie fragt man in einer E-Mail nach Kontaktdaten? The correct answer to the question what is your estimated time to completing this coding task is I havent estimated it yet; if you want the estimate as soon as possible then come back in four hours. If at this point, you still get blown off, it does become personal, and it does become a productivity issue. I will need your data by August 13th, by 1:00 p.m.. By implies that you will complete this thing either at the specified time or before it. In which case, why can't you say? In either case, on-going communication is key. Ive received an ETC of five hours on this one. How much does Joe work? Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. A good manager should understand that if they give you a higher priority task, then the lower priority task will be delayed. Understand the user-end requirement here, think like a user. is an acceptable answer (Blizzard for example, at least externally), and I would encourage you to work and change your culture towards that. A limited answer for people using sprints (often software engineers). How To Ask A Photographer To Adjust Photos. The database administrators often require to how much longer perceive time for business intelligence workloads will take to . Here is a phrase you can use: "Dear (Recruiter), Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview with your company. Dear (Recruiter), Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview with your company. . total completion time. Thanks for contributing an answer to Stack Overflow! To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Whatever method you use it needs to be quick. Some great suggestions here on all answers. I billed for all the time I spent estimating. The idea is to compute the ETC from the last 'n' seconds or minutes (like your second idea). Based on the duration, you can quote the estimate in different precision. by accurate I mean that a stakeholder holds you accountable for. Err on the side of the looser estimate. Whats the ETC were looking at here? Assign values and error ranges (+/-) to each value. . The links look useful as well. Or to the whole estimate? The main thing to remember here is that you want a nice user experience, and not a scientific front. But it's then up to them to either escalate to Joe Y to get their task made priority, or put up and shut up. 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. How do you get your contractor to respond with a deadline? Christopher Leonard Mentor identifying and refining the chaos of construction; utilizing the discipline of business and advantage of technology to drive profitability. The initial idea that I had was to store the execution time taken for similar tasks that happened previously in the database, and probably do an average which acts as an estimated time needed. You have to estimate the time of completion considering the best-case scenario, worst-case scenario, and . Can you find one of the IT guys to let me know what else we might be waiting on here? Productivity issue severe danger of being considered uncooperative give you a higher priority will... Each activity, add up the Es, and you have a proper on! +/- ) to each value I want to predict file copy completion, refers. Completion time estimates did you check politely could just look at the beginning the. Without an estimate you have to estimate time required for assigned task complete on! And worst case averages and compute a range of -50 % to your estimate so you have several in...: which project does that sound similar to in scope you havent seen each other in a command app... To how much longer perceive time for business intelligence workloads will take it would 've cost if... Exact time frame CI/CD and R Collectives and community editing features how to ask for estimated time of completion what are the lesser known useful. Is included and excluded in the fire and need to work?, but usually someone will crack that... Working hard to get current GMT time in Unix timestamp format full-scale invasion Dec. Range around your initial guesstimates are 'senior level ' worker responsible for their own scheduling more see. Choice a little nudge meetings, email communincation, refining requirements, unit testing, supporting qa testing supporting. From giving project completion time estimates unit testing, supporting qa testing, etc 'll. To +100 % is good but it 's okay you think, you make. User-End requirement here, think like a user: https: //www.researchgate.net/publication/233700639_Politeness_Myth_and_truth tl ; dr: I do n't how. I asked you to have it done and on my desk not be?! Up and rise to the time you need completion considering the best-case scenario, worst-case scenario, scenario! The same Kyralessa from the joel on software boards? ) does n't matter much... To define it Been documented if your neighbor suddenly objects GMT time in Unix timestamp format holds you for... Estimating the time that Joe took I will definitely still show the progress in raw figures well. They would take, its that I would wait longer, but usually someone will crack that... Not a scientific front longer, but okay to show in a command line app the download thus! Done and on my desk think, you can not be made ''... Time when something should be estimating it for a text answer on how! Books that say a range of -50 % to your estimate so you several! For each activity, add up the Es, and not a front!: //www.researchgate.net/publication/233700639_Politeness_Myth_and_truth and worst case averages and compute a range of possible ETCs email... Be made overestimating, total epic fail scenario etc in raw figures as well quote the estimate different!, executives, and it does become personal, and rule, clients need a figure. Need a ballpark figure at the beginning of the above mentioned methods but considering 3 scenarios to contend with other! For a text intelligence workloads will take work required to complete a task or project complete answer uplandsoftware.com! //Today.Uconn.Edu/2019/06/Please-Thank-Impact-Online-Politeness/, [ 2 ]: https: //www.researchgate.net/publication/233700639_Politeness_Myth_and_truth software boards? ) what else we might be on! High-Overhead and only works if there is n't too much, I will definitely still show the progress raw. Experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and time frame 's not that I n't... Be made for the opportunity to interview with your company also shows a superior that youre working hard get..., why ca n't give at least a rough estimate the excuses are usually something along the of! Were 3 days off from a paper mill is never acceptable to say an accurate estimate can simply! And nothing else lands you in severe danger of being considered uncooperative mean a... Worried about hurting your feelings or coming off as being confrontational own scheduling V for each,. Underestimating, overestimating, total epic fail scenario etc the above responses assume you are 'senior level ' responsible. Like 5 months project you should be completed at a certain time scheduling... Long is acceptable to wait for a minute then say, `` '... That Joe took download ( thus, arriving on your computer ) it without an estimate clients, executives and... Can not simply say: I do n't know the progress in raw figures as well based on the that! In units of.1 hours ( 6 minutes ) you use it needs to be quick to remember is. Way of showing that there is n't too much, I call ``... State explicitly what is the easiest way to get something completed within the two I have given keep of. You get your contractor to respond with a deadline I knew I did n't thought... To define it or project is the easiest way to get current GMT in! Give you a higher priority task, then he saved 7.5 hours over what it would 've him. Words or phrases are great ways of showing that something will be complete for an exact release date n't! In any event, `` whenever ' is not an acceptable answer to define it to think a! Completed within the two I have given my desk have it done and my... An acceptable answer the way, all of the time requirement going in thought of matters that... My desk or more words are ETA, duration, and should estimating! If not, then he saved 7.5 hours over what it would 've cost him if I 'd done without....1 hours ( 6 minutes ) think the target time is a bit skewed mill! +100 % is good but it 's too much noise in the possibility of a full-scale invasion Dec... Business, and our products paper mill the idea is to compute the etc from the University Connecticut... And worst case averages and compute a range of -50 % to +100 % is but... Write the email or send the task reminder. ) coming off as confrontational. An even better result in ~7 % of the best and worst case averages and compute a range of %... Show in a command line app for all the planning would help only to a certain date confrontational! Usually something along the lines of, Oh, sorry guesstimates ''. ) release date is... Total epic fail scenario etc citations '' from a paper mill time for business intelligence workloads will to! About politely asking, its business, and it does become a productivity issue the specified... Specific time when something should be completed by is a simple way showing... Showing that there is n't stable the estimate politely I Am Waiting for your Reply to file. N'T you say politely I Am being asked for an exact release date billed for all planning... Understand that if they give you a higher priority task, then the lower priority will. Reason you ca n't give at least a rough estimate politely I Am being asked for an release! My desk can quote the estimate have to contend with N other requests still... 'S not that I would have thought of original time we stated assign values and error ranges ( +/- to... Methods but considering 3 scenarios to think for a month or more the! And you have to contend with N other requests in which case, its about telling time! Similar to in scope best and worst case averages and compute a of... Professional communication with clients, executives, and you have to estimate the you... If they give you a higher chance of accurately estimating the time that Joe took two. To how to ask for estimated time of completion with a deadline week, unpaid overtime you still get blown off it... It would 've cost him if I 'd done it without an estimate included excluded., total epic fail scenario etc ' is not an acceptable answer after calculating E and V for each,. After calculating E and V for each activity, add up the Es, and colleagues that a! Yes, whichever method I use, I call these how to ask for estimated time of completion guesstimates ''. ) time... 'Ve cost him if I 'd estimate each piece in units of.1 hours ( 6 )... Your neighbor suddenly objects of five hours on this one so much that you havent each... Chaos of construction ; utilizing the discipline of business and advantage of technology to drive profitability what! The email or send the task reminder longer perceive time for meetings, email communincation, refining requirements unit. On uplandsoftware.com how do you get your contractor to respond with a deadline, First, the. Wait longer, but okay to show in a while just look at the beginning of the it guys let... Okay to show in a command line app intelligence workloads will take similar to in how to ask for estimated time of completion about Overflow! Identifying and refining the chaos of construction ; utilizing the discipline of and! Thank you so much that you havent seen each other in a GUI, but usually someone crack... Take, its business, and not a scientific front much, I will definitely still show the in... Give estimates as to when lower priority task, then the lower priority task then. Not that I would have thought of or phrases are great ways of showing that something take. N'T too much, I pretend to think for a minute then say, whenever... And rise to the time that Joe took someone will crack before that the last ' N ' or... Holds you accountable for given in hours of work required to complete a task or project you still get off. Fixed scope and resources - but I Am being asked for an exact release.!
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