Winning the Estimation Game (WEG)

Key things that an Attendee will learn from the presentation

• Uncertainty is an inherent part of every estimate
• It is essential to understand and include the uncertainty in estimates in the budgeting process
• Management has a key role to play in making early estimates as reliable as possible
• All budget changes should be accompanied by review of project plans
• The Myth of Pressure Cooker Excellence is exposed
• We really can make early estimation and budgeting Win - Win

Every organization sooner or later is faced with the necessity of selecting and prioritizing projects. Estimation of cost and schedule is an important aspect of this process. While the techniques of estimation are fairly straightforward, this process nonetheless is one that Project Managers almost uniformly dread. Why? Primary cause is the concern that these early estimates that are generally based on very scant and suspect data will, contrary to all reason, become the budgets for future Missions Impossible.

We've all been there. We've seen one organization after another pursue a policy of setting budgets first and planning projects second. It makes no sense, it causes enormous difficulty for all involved and yet the practice persists. Why? What can be done about it?

Dr. Evans will take you on a guided tour through the sometimes wacky world of Preliminary Project Estimates and the Budgeting Process. He will explain in detail steps that you and your management team can take to rationalize the need for budgeting with preliminary estimates. Learn how to make preliminary estimation and early budgeting a Win - Win for everyone involved.