A presentation I did on software project schedules & estimation. Inspired by Joel Spolsky's first book: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/BuytheBooks.html

1. Software Project Estimates
Ken Burkhardt 2014

2. Inspired by Joel Spolsky’s Book
Joel on Software: And on Diverse and Occasionally Related Matters That Will Prove of
Interest to Software Developers, Designers, and Managers, and to Those Who,
Whether by Good Fortune or Ill Luck, Work with Them in Some Capacity
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/BuytheBooks.html

3. Historical Project Failure #1
Lotus 123 Fail

4. Historical Project Failure #2
Netscape 5 never shipped!

5. Historical Project Failure #2
Netscape 5 never shipped!

6. Everybody Hates Schedules
Especially Programmers!

7. Schedule? We don't need no stinkin' schedule!
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - 1948

8. How to Make a Schedule that Works?
Which will help estimation?

9. Use a Simple Excel Template
Not some advanced software that is difficult to use a la MS Project.

10. Keep It Simple!
Just keep track of a few fields.

11. Sample Excel Sheet

12. Break Each Feature Down Into Tasks
Granular tasks will help figure out how long each step will take.

13. Only the Programmer Can Schedule It

14. Pick Finely Grained Tasks!
Measure tasks in hours not days.

15. Keep Track of the Original & Current Estimates

16. Update the Elapsed Time Every Day

17. Put in Line Items For Vacations, Sick Time, Etc

18. Put Testing / Debugging Time Into the Schedule

19. Put Integration Time Into the Schedule

20. Results of Good Planning & Estimates

21. Results of Good Planning & Estimates

22. Ken Burkhardt
Software Developer
http://www.kenburkhardt.com/
http://kenny-bu.blogspot.com/