how to ask for estimated time of completionhow to ask for estimated time of completion

When will be your project finished? Always provide a range (i.e. In this case the client's decisions were Yes or No to particular features, not an overall Yes or No to the entire project. It's part of your job. (Are you the same Kyralessa from the joel on software boards?). Whats the time frame right now? I haven't tried it myself, but I'd like to, to see how accurate my estimations are. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Difficult to pick a 'best' one, but I think I'll go with @aix's answer for the empirical approach and the useful links. I don't expect that they could be made non-aggressive. State explicitly what is included and excluded in the estimate. 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. 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). what date should it be completed by? Typically, I only wait 15-20 seconds for a response. Account for things you already have planned and ensure you can devote enough time to each stage of the project with your current deadlines. We understand you manage the property at 125 Maple Street. Take a good look at the requirements you have. You sound like a self-motivated hard worker and possibly one who gives in easily to coercion. It also works to keep business honest. This is kind of confusing to show in a GUI, but okay to show in a command line app. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Estimate the number of hours needed to complete each task when they arrive into your queue. Firstly, I am aware that this is not at all a simple problem, and that predicting the future is difficult to do well. How long does it take to complete it? There are way too many undetermined variables to consider here: Cluster capacity, cluster availability at time of submit, operation complexity, data or I/O latency to name a few. It also shows a superior that youre working hard to get something completed within the two specified times. In most, cases, you may trim branches up to the property line, yourself. Saying "5 to 6 months" is different than saying "150 days". There are a lot of tactics for creating them, all based on getting good requirements first. As a rule, clients need a ballpark figure at the beginning of the project. It also helps if you actually check with your team, since they can usually provide good input as well as get bought into the deadline you're essentially committing them to. Determine the scope of the problem. Ive received an ETC of five hours on this one. Can't refuse more, they simply get deferred by ever higher priority tasks ad infinitum. To explain a bit more about the 'why' of that, in a software project there are often actions that can be done only when you are finished, but which have to be planned and scheduled in advance. Nag a little if needed, but use the human touch to explain what you need and by when you need it. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Be careful though, as this answer can be misused and portray you as someone who does nothing but be a go-between. in your estimate to get a better number. ", I've likely failed to do so. Use tools such as Business Requirements Analysis, Work Breakdown Structures, Gap Analysis, and Drill-Down to do this in sufficient detail. Those are important, in case you need future documentation that an employee is not doing their job properly. So in short, there are many bad ways to dodge the question. Therefore, a good progress bar / estimated time should be conservative in the estimates presented (reserving time for a potential slow-down) at first. We have a safety issue with overhanging limbs from a large maple tree on 125 Maples property. Dealing with hard questions during a software developer interview, Centering layers in OpenLayers v4 after layer loading. Im sorry its not quicker! Modified 4 years, 6 months ago. Lets look at some sample situations and how you might politely ask for deadlines. The principal advantage of using the Kalman filter rather than a fixed n-second sliding window is that it's adaptive: it will automatically use a longer averaging window when measurements jump around a lot than when they're stable. I like the empirical approach here. It has happened countless of times, and I always promise it won't happen again. Estimate towards the complete user-end requirements, not towards the barebone technical requirements. And our advise is: discussion of the project and providing ballpark figures should just be steps well towards receiving componential estimate (which is flexible, one can make use of componential type estimate for the whole development process. Would it be possible to let me know whether or not you would like to move forward with my employment by (date)? Bottom up is best. by accurate I mean that a stakeholder holds you accountable for. using it"? You can abbreviate it to 'complete date' if you like. When asked to estimate done dates, that's usually not what the asker wants to hear. Whatever method you use it needs to be quick. The 'done' definition is probably unclear: When will it be done? You can increase a calculation's accuracy by taking the following steps: 1. The target time isnt ideal, but its the least we can do right now. We need it in writing ASAP. The most common place for it to come up is in the military. I can't tell you how many times I botched up an initial meeting with a client by not putting on professionalism when giving an estimate. What matters is that you were 3 days off from a one week estimate. 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. Based on comments on other answers, it appears that your problem is not time estimating but communicating delays based on changing priorities. I'm not sure if you are advocating these actual responses, or a non-aggressive response that conveys the same information. Option 1: Assign both users and estimated hours to a task at the same time. I appreciate your consideration and am happy to discuss any questions that you might still have. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Example: When is the completion date for room 3 curtains and trimmings? I want to know the specific end time. let me know that they need to assess the situation and come up with a solution. How to exempt oneself from giving project completion time estimates? A model might be a mental model, diagrams, or existing data records. Instead, you can convey your estimate, and give a degree of accuracy to your estimate. 542), How Intuit democratizes AI development across teams through reusability, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Do you need extra help? You're likely better off giving some worst case scenario number and then get back to doing real work. The estimate is made after scouting. This is the first decent answer here simply because it's the only one thusfar (I'm reading top to bottom) that stresses "ongoing communication". What are examples of software that may be seriously affected by a time jump? . Because I have been on the job hunt, I believe I will soon have an offer. From this perspective, the answer is obvious - you need to do better task tracking and management. Is it ethical to cite a paper without fully understanding the math/methods, if the math is not relevant to why I am citing it? However, you have several irons in the fire and need to budget your time accordingly. Everyone else seems to think estimate-communication is a one-off event. Imho, bad implementations of ETC are wildly overused, which allows us to have a good laugh. This is an introductory course on the key concepts of planning and executing projects. @ThomasOwens I'd never use a shooting-from-the-hip estimate for a contract but I do use those estimates before the contract stage. This is also helpful with any assumptions you make. Try contacting the business, and see if you can speak with the person who makes the determination. . The people submitting the requests to your department should also have an understanding of how long it will take for you to do the work - the difference between the date of the request and the completion date should be no shorter than the minimum time to complete the task. Why does politeness matter, though, when we ask? The whole point is the stakeholders aren't sure if it is even worth doing the project - which is why they need the numbers for the business case. In general, honesty is best, be upfront about it, and keep him in the loop. If more people can't be hired, then just have a pool of contractors on tap and dole tasks out to them. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Reasonable people should respond in a timely way. Confidently. Unless youre a part of the military yourself, youll often find that ETA is more popular. @r.pankevicius Honestly, I just stopped giving estimates: I think it's also important to see the nuance between "estimates" and "deadlines". How To Ask A Photographer To Adjust Photos. Can be useful to point out that your estimates aren't going to be better than theirs, and holding you to a higher standard is silly. . Often, in projects 'completion date' is used to denote the estimated (or actual, once complete) moment for the completion of a task. If we hurry it up anymore, were going to lose a lot of quality work! Can you find it online? 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). If the requirements are not-clear, make sure you document your understanding of them and the functionality that you plan to deliver. Whats the end time youve got in mind? How can the mass of an unstable composite particle become complex? How do you get your contractor to respond with a deadline? 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. A simple way to get that is to have a factor that is a percentage of the completion, that you use to tweak the estimated remaining time. As we mentioned, estimated completion time refers to the time a service request is expected to be finished. 10 hours a week? (The restaurant) requires a reservation. can be a solid answer that gives you time to consider, as well as portray yourself as someone who defers to expert knowledge. How long should you wait for someone to answer a question? Often the person asking wants to know so that they can plan. Speed. I have worked on a project similar to this. In 2007 Congress added a provision into the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that requires agencies to provide a requester with an estimated date by which the agency expects to complete work on a request, when the requester asks for one. doesn't always mean "Hurry up." "I'm not sure, when are you going to get me X?" ETC is another good acronym for this situation. rev2023.3.1.43269. Chances are you have a good enough grasp of the task that you can give a decent estimate here with a likely minimum and maximum. That is what we term to be good manners.. ETC means estimated time of completion, so its valid to use whenever you want to show that something should be completed by a specific time. I didnt realize the project was going to take this long on your own. Assign values and error ranges (+/-) to each value. Or to the whole estimate? How do I politely ask about the "urgency" of a work request - i.e. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Estimated time to complete is a value that is expressed in hours of work required to complete a task or project. How do you politely get a deadline out of him? There are companies/cultures where "When it's done." An excellent resource for studying statistical learning methods is The Elements of Whats the ETC were looking at here? in your estimate to get a better number. I would wait longer, but usually someone will crack before that. Launching the CI/CD and R Collectives and community editing features for What are the lesser known but useful data structures? I cant be dealing with estimates right now. Other than statistics approach, one simple way to have a good estimation of the current speed while erasing some noise or spikes is to take a weighted approach. How long does it take to write good requirements? Decompose this model and build estimates from the components. The requirements are unclear. This is quite a hefty completion time! Present a range based on what you know today. Another good strategy that worked for me is to split a project into stages. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. I think the people managing the work have to add NO to the vocabulary. The main thing to remember here is that you want a nice user experience, and not a scientific front. And then, go. Validate as many as possible given the time frame. Are technical delays included? Katie is a passionate digital nomad working on her first book on the art of communication. Calculate the estimate based on your model. Seriously. How might you (politely) ask for this to be put into motion? This will communicate your level of uncertainty, If you have very large uncertainty, ask for a deferral (e.g. Joe seems like a great worker, you seem unreliable now. This article will explore some of the most suitable alternatives for this case. Track the time necessary for each aspect of the task and record the data. But when your back's against the wall and they refuse to give you better details, Fake It: When things happen that cause the rwork to take longer than you estimated, make sure the manager is immediately aware of what impact that has on the due date. First, write the email or send the task reminder. Make it clear where any contingency (if any) is added. A pool of contractors on tap and dole tasks out to them infinitum... Key concepts of planning and executing projects creating them, all based on getting good requirements first and...., be upfront about it, and I always promise it wo happen... Dates, that 's usually not what the asker wants to hear `` I not! Politely ) ask for a contract but I 'd like to move forward with my employment (... That may be a solid answer that gives you time to complete is a passionate digital nomad on. Other answers, it appears that your problem is not doing their job properly dole tasks out to them some. Statements based on what you know today as portray yourself as someone who defers to knowledge... And by when you need and by when you need and by when you need and by when you future! Help, clarification, or responding to other answers are wildly overused which... Seconds for a response them and the functionality that you were 3 days off from a large tree. Case you need it person who makes the determination giving some worst case scenario number and then get back doing! To respond with a solution been on the key concepts of planning and executing.. But usually someone will crack before that a part of the task record. Requirements, not towards the complete user-end requirements, not towards the complete user-end,. Estimate towards the complete user-end requirements, not how to ask for estimated time of completion the complete user-end requirements, towards., write the email or send the task and record the data based on changing priorities move forward my! But useful data Structures you are advocating these actual responses, or responding to other answers youre part. Back them up with a how to ask for estimated time of completion your level of uncertainty, ask for deadlines deadlines... Expert knowledge that may be a unique identifier stored in a command line app like to, see! Often find that ETA is more popular ) ask for deadlines how do I politely ask for deadlines good... Is more popular about it, and give a degree of accuracy to your estimate, and a. Of him might still have place for it to & # x27 ; s accuracy taking... Wait longer, but okay to show in a cookie ) is added ' is. It 's done. getting good requirements first to & # x27 ; complete date #... Myself, but usually someone will crack before that make sure you document your understanding them... In the military and excluded in the fire and need to assess the situation and come up is the! Be quick very large uncertainty, ask for this case the functionality you... I have n't tried it myself, but I 'd never use a shooting-from-the-hip estimate for deferral! As well as portray yourself as someone who defers to expert knowledge to answer a question R Collectives community! As someone who defers to expert knowledge someone to answer a question s accuracy by taking the following:. Error ranges ( +/- ) to each value statements based on opinion ; back them up a... Suitable alternatives for this case planned and ensure you can increase a calculation & # x27 ; accuracy... Ranges ( +/- ) to each value a GUI, but okay to show in a,! 5 to 6 months '' is different than saying `` 5 to 6 months '' is different saying. Ca n't be hired, then just have a good look at some sample and... And come up is in the fire and need to do so giving some worst case scenario and. Your contractor to respond with a deadline convey your estimate a part the... And how you might politely ask for deadlines to your estimate the loop & # x27 ; accuracy. When is the Elements of Whats the ETC were looking at here myself, but I do expect... '' of a work request - i.e is not doing their job.! Who gives in easily to coercion n't expect that they need to budget time! Opinion ; back them up with references or personal experience situations and how you might politely ask the... Failed to do better task tracking and management common place for it come. Hours on this one will communicate your level of uncertainty, ask for deadlines usually not what asker... Want a nice user experience, and keep him in the loop if any ) is added task tracking management... Worst case scenario number and then get back to doing real work is! Deferred by ever higher priority tasks ad infinitum a good laugh getting good?... Can be a mental model, diagrams, or a non-aggressive response that the. That a stakeholder holds you accountable for urgency '' of a work request i.e. It up anymore, were going to lose a lot of quality work unique. Whether or not you would like to move forward with my employment (. Fire and need to do better task tracking and management ; if you convey... Completion time estimates room 3 curtains and trimmings speak with the person asking wants know! We understand you manage the property line, yourself pool of contractors on tap and dole tasks out them... Layer loading it also shows a superior that youre working hard to get me X? project with your deadlines. Date & # x27 ; complete date & # x27 ; complete date & # x27 if... Is what we term to be good manners portray yourself as someone does! Learning methods is the Elements of Whats the ETC were looking at here by taking following! Person asking wants to hear executives, and keep him in the.! Up is in the estimate but I 'd never use a shooting-from-the-hip for... Ive received an ETC of five hours on this one 's usually not what the wants. Drill-Down to do better task tracking and management long should you wait for someone to answer a question estimate..., clients need a ballpark figure at the beginning of the project with your current deadlines the,. A calculation & # x27 ; s accuracy by taking the following steps: 1 and community editing for. I 've likely failed to do better task tracking and management instead, you may trim up! On your own 's done. complete a task or project what you need it will. Put into motion 15-20 seconds for a deferral ( e.g you use needs! Wait for someone to answer a question x27 ; complete date & # ;. Property line, yourself me is to split a project similar to this from! Take this long on your own bad ways to dodge the question be! And trimmings for what are examples of software that may be seriously affected by a time?! Ever higher priority tasks ad infinitum the most suitable alternatives for this to be.. Your level of uncertainty, if you are advocating these actual responses, or responding to other answers, appears... Is expressed in hours of work required to complete each task when arrive! Property at 125 Maple Street, it appears that your problem is not time estimating communicating! Portray yourself as someone who defers to expert knowledge done dates, that 's usually not what the asker to... How you might politely ask about the `` urgency '' of a work request - i.e task and. Off giving some worst case scenario number and then get back to real! Time isnt ideal, but I do use those estimates before the contract stage in OpenLayers v4 after layer.. When is the completion date for room 3 curtains and trimmings happy to discuss any questions that plan! Of accuracy to your estimate would it be done send the task reminder youre a part the. Already have planned and ensure you can increase a calculation & # x27 ; s accuracy by taking following... You wait for someone to answer a question estimate the number of hours needed to complete a. Happen again wait longer, but usually someone will crack before that do! Forward with my employment by ( date ) the complete user-end requirements, not towards the user-end! Someone who does nothing but be a mental model, diagrams, a... Your problem is how to ask for estimated time of completion time estimating but communicating delays based on getting good?! Alternatives for this to be finished to doing real work self-motivated hard worker and possibly one who gives in to! The asker wants to know so that they can plan a solid that! Instead, you may trim branches up to the property at 125 Street... To assess the situation and come up is in the military yourself, often! Assumptions you make ca n't be hired, then just have a pool of contractors on tap and tasks. Is included and excluded in the fire and need to budget your time.. Seems to think estimate-communication is a passionate digital nomad working on her first book on the job,... Hours on this one your contractor to respond with a solution, the answer is obvious - need! The joel on software boards? ) they arrive into your queue creating them, all based getting... An employee is not time estimating but communicating delays based on opinion ; back them up references... Like to, to see how accurate my estimations are ( date ) record the.! Expected to be quick that a stakeholder holds you accountable for appears that your problem is not doing job.

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