Estimates vs. Actuals
Estimates vs. Actuals

Comparing estimates with the actual results is a difficult task, but not impossible. There are a lot of factors to consider, but ultimately it will help you improve your estimations, budgeting, and forecasting.

How to deal with underestimated projects
How to deal with underestimated projects

As much as you try, you will inevitably face situations where you are working on a project that has been underestimated. Read this blog to find out what you can do when you are about to go over a budget

Learning from my cost estimation mistakes
Learning from my cost estimation mistakes

Cost estimation takes time to perfect as a skill. There are a lot of floating factors, including project sizing, skill, experience, and more. Over the years I have worked on various software projects, and in this blog I summarise the

The evils of ballpark estimations - and how to escape them
The evils of ballpark estimations – and how to escape them

Everyone wants a ballpark estimation before they start a project, but not everyone understands how complex software development is, and how inaccurate such a rough estimation will be. In this blog we discuss this and more about how to manage

Software cost estimation models, part 4: COCOMO model
Software cost estimation models, part 4: COCOMO model

Originating in the 70s, the updated COCOMO cost estimation model uses historical projects and factors defined cost drivers to help you estimate the cost of a software project.

Approaching client requirements - how to estimate accurately
Approaching client requirements – how to estimate accurately

Client requirements can be confusing, unclear, vague, or just not technical at all. It’s important to understand them before giving a cost estimate. In this blog, we go through the steps you can take to ensure you approach your client

Garbage-in Garbage-out
Garbage-in, Garbage-out

Whenever you get a brief for a new project, you need to vet through all the details, because if you use low quality information, you will end up with low quality products. This is what we call Garbage-in, Garbage-out, and

The Delphi mehtod
Software cost estimation models, Part 3: The Delphi method

In this series of blog posts, we discuss different popular software cost estimation models. This article reviews the Delphi method, how it can be used, and what its pros and cons are.

The importance of safety margins - and how to use them
The importance of safety margins – and how to use them

It’s impossible to make an absolutely accurate estimation - there are always risks, limitations and uncertainties. In this article we discuss how you can tackle such problems by adding safety margins, and how to accurately calculate them.

Why is cost estimation important?
Why is cost estimation important?

Cost estimation can sometimes be overlooked, or replaced with a mere ballpark figure. In this blog we discuss the reasons why an accurate cost estimation is important to the success of any software development project.