How to estimate as as an engineering leader | LeadDev

Videoleaddev.comMay 31, 2021

AI Summary

Estimating time for projects proves challenging for engineering leaders, often leading to missed deadlines despite teams' hard work. Effective estimation requires understanding how much actual work occurs in a month, the surprising time demands of research, and unanticipated disruptions like holidays. For instance, factors such as the Chinese New Year can significantly impact project timelines. Key points from the content include: - Estimating project timelines resembles packing for a holiday; critical elements often feel overlooked. - Experience enhances estimating accuracy, but teams must contribute to this process. - Recognizing workload fluctuations throughout the month is crucial for realistic planning. - Research phases typically require more time than initially anticipated. - External factors, including cultural holidays, can derail project schedules unexpectedly.

Why It Matters for Leaders

This article matters for Engineering Leaders as it addresses the common challenge of accurately estimating project timelines and workloads, which is crucial for meeting deadlines and managing team expectations. An actionable takeaway is to involve the team in the estimation process to gain more accurate insights, considering factors like workload variability and external influences.

Category

Career Development

Target Audience

Engineering ManagerCTO / VP Engineering

Tags

EstimationPlanningExecutionEngineering Management
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