Re:Ask HN: How do you do estimates in 2021?
by Leherenn on Sunday September 26, 2021 @05:16PM
(#28664740)
> Why does the size of the work that needs to get done matter? If you need it you need it.
Generally, I would agree, but I've seen cases where it mattered, because the value of a feature would become 0 after a set date. For instance, we needed a specific feature to fulfill the requirements for a (massive) contract, and you could only apply for the contract until a specific date. The value of this feature outside this scope was pretty much zero.
Re:Ask HN: How do you do estimates in 2021?
by void_mint on Sunday September 26, 2021 @05:21PM
(#28664790)
> Generally, I would agree, but I've seen cases where it mattered, because the value of a feature would become 0 after a set date. For instance, we needed a specific feature to fulfill the requirements for a (massive) contract
As I said, you put it at the top of the backlog and alert the team of a new deadline. You work on it until the deadline. If you make it, great, if not, you move on. Asking for an estimate wouldn't have made you make it, it might've only prevented you from trying.
Why does the size of the work that needs to get done matter? If you need it you need it. If you don't, you don't. If you want a fast fix, note it. Speak in outcomes. "The lowest amount of work possible to get us ________"
> All is us have likely experienced "why is x taking so long??
I wouldn't work with a PM that disrespected me like that.
> Had we known, we wouldn't have done it now!" and/or "we didn't realize y was so simple, otherwise we would have done it months ago and probably won a few more deals!" How do you avoid that?
This isn't prioritization, it's a PM making ill-informed judgements on dev work. Don't have your PMs do that. Product people can define priority, scope, etc. If your PM isn't prioritizing something because they think it takes a long time, they do not understand their role.