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Re:How I Estimate Work as a Staff Software Engineer by pan69 on Saturday January 24, 2026 @02:38PM (#46746859)
How long does it take to do a crossword puzzle or play a game of chess?
Re:How I Estimate Work as a Staff Software Engineer by tuna74 on Saturday January 24, 2026 @03:42PM (#46747452)
Chess games usually have time limits, so pretty easy. Cross words depend on the size and difficulty.
Re:How I Estimate Work as a Staff Software Engineer by mlok on Saturday January 24, 2026 @03:17PM (#46747233)
Usually less than 2 days, with a 90% confidence.
Re:How I Estimate Work as a Staff Software Engineer by impute on Saturday January 24, 2026 @06:50PM (#46749010)
You record the amount of time it takes people to do a crossword puzzle or play a game of chess. After a while you'll be able to make a distribution graph of how long it takes. Then you can give an accurate estimate along with a probability.
Re:How I Estimate Work as a Staff Software Engineer by csours on Saturday January 24, 2026 @11:52PM (#46750850)
How long does it take to solve a Rubik's cube for the first time?

How long does it take to learn to juggle 3 items? 4? 5?

How much time will it take you to measure the coast of England between Brighton and Seaton?

Re:How I Estimate Work as a Staff Software Engineer by mysteryihs on Tuesday January 27, 2026 @02:26PM (#46785084)
A different variation of the ol' how long is a piece of string question