Are Your Estimates As Good As Football Predictions?

How accurate are your estimates?


Imagine you spend the majority of your developmental years perfecting your skills. It becomes your primary focus during that time — often missing out on other aspects of your life that others who are not as focused get to enjoy. These same skills continue to be your primary focus during your secondary education until you are ready to become a professional at your trade. You are going to get paid to do the trade you have worked on for so long.

Spikes in Agile: Preventing Project Fires Since 2001

What can happen to projects without estimations. #cueAliciaKeys

Estimates are a fact of life for most of us. And often – while not always – they are a necessity. If I weren’t using some form of estimation on my current projects, they would be twisted up like Sherman bow ties. And on fire.

This brings us to an apparent paradox: