There is a saying that what gets measured gets improved.  That goes for software development.  Unfortunately, it is a task that is easier said than done.  This presentation looks at some ways to make software estimation easier and help us get better at it as we go.

Piecewise Software Estimation

A software application is often a complex beast to create.  There are a number of issues that can arise and unforeseen obstacles to encounter.  These factors are likely why failure and overrun rates are so high with these projects.  However, much like eating an elephant, you do not try to do it in one bite.  Nibble away at the goal and it will be much more likely to be achieved.

We look at the many ways that we can measure the productivity of coders.  None of these are perfect, but there are pros and cons to each.  We dig into how each approach can be applied to our projects and making a habit of software estimation.  It is an excellent step towards becoming a better developer.

 

This series comes from our mentoring/mastermind classes.  These classes are virtual meetings that focus on how to improve our technical skills and build our businesses.  The goals of each member vary.  However, this diversity makes for great discussions and a ton of educational value every time we meet.  We hope you enjoy viewing this series as much as we enjoy creating it.  As always, this may not be all new to you, but we hope it helps you be a better developer.  Drop us a line to find out when the next one is so you can join our group.

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Rob Broadhead

Rob is a founder of, and frequent contributor to, Develpreneur. This includes the Building Better Developers podcast. He is also a lifetime learner as a developer, designer, and manager of software solutions. Rob is the founder of RB Consulting and has managed to author a book about his family experiences and a few about becoming a better developer. In his free time, he stays busy raising five children (although they have grown into adults). When he has a chance to breathe, he is on the ice playing hockey to relax or working on his ballroom dance skills.

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