{"id":4875,"date":"2021-09-02T10:11:10","date_gmt":"2021-09-02T13:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesheet.dovico.com\/blog\/?p=4875"},"modified":"2022-12-01T10:05:45","modified_gmt":"2022-12-01T14:05:45","slug":"a-start-ups-guide-to-properly-estimating-project-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesheet.dovico.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/02\/a-start-ups-guide-to-properly-estimating-project-time\/","title":{"rendered":"A Start-up\u2019s Guide to Properly Estimating Project Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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For projects that have very tight deadlines, being able to calculate the project timeline realistically becomes very important. This is because it can play a pivotal role in the success of the project. However, people often tend to misjudge the amount of time required to implement a project because they are perhaps not familiar with the type of work involved in the projects. To help them understand better, here is a guide explaining some of the best methods of project estimation that can help project managers make better time estimates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Importance of Estimating Project Time Accurately<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Accurate estimation of the project timeline is crucial in project management. Without this skill, people would not know the tentative time required to complete their projects. Hence, they would not be able to get the commitment necessary from the people who have to sign it off. More importantly, most sponsors tend to judge the success of a project by the criteria of whether it was delivered on time and within the budget or not. Therefore, to be successful, it is important to be able to negotiate sensible budgets and create achievable deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Things to Consider While Estimating Project Timeline:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>External Dependencies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Every project involves many people who can be delayed, at times, for various reasons that are usually not in the control of an individual. Taking into account external dependencies at the time of planning can make getting out of the worst possible scenarios easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Insufficient Detail<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Unknowns like insufficient level of detail occur when the project has not been thoroughly evaluated. While still in the planning stage, every detail about the project should be collected so that all the tasks could be done without any hindrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Complexity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some tasks involved in a project are complex. It might so happen that even after clearly defining a task, implementing it becomes difficult. When calculating the time needed to complete a specific task, it can be given a complexity rating between 1 and 3. Depending on this score, the tasks having a score of 1 can have the standard time allocation. Those with a score of 2 can have their allocated time multiplied by 1.5, and the tasks having a score of 3 can have their allocated time multiplied by 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Time-Off<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

People do take time off, like going on vacations, getting sick, holidays coming up, and such other things. These will no doubt inconvenience the project and they must be accounted for while creating the timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Working Hours<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

People usually work for approximately 8 hours a day. However, their entire time is not dedicated to working on the tasks given to them. They take breaks, have lunch, go to the washroom, attend meetings, and so on. It is not fair to ask them to work every minute of the time they spend at work. That is why it is best to include these time-lapses while estimating time for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Ways of Estimating Project Time Accurately<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Following the below-mentioned steps can help in making accurate time estimates for the project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Step 1: Understand What Is Required<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is very important to identify all of the work that is needed to be done when working on a project. Using various available tools to do this in greater detail is highly advisable. Also, it is important to allow time for meetings, communications, reporting, testing, and other activities that are critical for the project’s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Step 2: Order the Tasks and Activities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The next step is to make a list of all the activities and assign them the order in which they should be done. At this stage, it is not required to add the exact time that might be needed to accomplish these tasks. Nevertheless, it would be beneficial to note down any important deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Step 3: Decide On the Group of People to Be Involved<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Just like ordering the activities, it is also very important to form a group of suitable people who should be involved in the project to make it a success. This can be done by brainstorming and asking others to contribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, choosing the people who can do the necessary work as they have certain relevant experience to draw upon is the best thing to do. Involving them would encourage them to take responsibility and ownership of the time estimates that they would come up with, and they would more likely work extra hard to meet those deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Step 4: Make the Time Estimates<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The final step is to make the time estimates. There are quite a few effective methods that can help in doing this. However, irrespective of whichever method is chosen, these basic rules should be borne in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n