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Best Practices for Project Estimation

Learn the fundamentals, basic tools, and agile techniques that can be used to enhance your project estimation skills.

This course will help you take the guess work out of estimating your projects. Are you afraid of making estimates? You are not alone. Do you know why making quality estimates and tracking actuals is so important? Learn the importance of accurate estimating and how that skill will help you define and manage your customers' expectations. Discover the difference between 'ideal time' and 'elapsed time,' and why your estimates need to encompass both. Learn the anatomy of an estimate along with lean and agile techniques to make your life easier. Come learn some great tools and techniques you can begin using your first day back on the job.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Fundamentals of Estimation

Tools and Techniques: Part 1

Tools and Techniques: Part 2

Agile Estimation

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores agile techniques that are standard in industry

Emphasizes the importance of accurate estimating in project management

Provides a solid foundation for beginners in project estimation

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Best Practices for Project Estimation with these activities:

Estimate the time for everyday tasks

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Practice estimating time for everyday tasks to improve your foundational estimation skills.

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Choose a simple everyday task, such as preparing breakfast or going for a walk.
Estimate the time it will take to complete the task.
Compare your estimate to the actual time taken.
Reflect on your accuracy and identify areas for improvement.

Create a project estimation template

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Develop a customized project estimation template to streamline your estimation process.

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Identify the essential components of a project estimate.
Create a template that includes these components.
Use your template to estimate a real project.
Refine your template based on feedback and experience.

Engage in peer review of project estimations

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Collaborate with peers to review and refine project estimations, enhancing your estimation accuracy and communication skills.

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Form a study group or connect with peers.
Exchange project estimation examples for review.
Provide constructive feedback on the estimations.
Discuss alternative approaches and identify areas for improvement.

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Career center

Learners who complete Best Practices for Project Estimation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for defining, planning, and launching new products. This includes working with engineers, designers, and other team members to define the product vision, roadmap, and budget. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Product Managers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their product development projects. This course also teaches Product Managers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Software Development Manager

Software Development Managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the development of software products. This includes working with engineers and other team members to define the project scope, timeline, and budget. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Software Development Managers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their software development projects. This course also teaches Software Development Managers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Development Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers lead the overall planning, execution, and closure of projects. This includes everything from defining the project scope and goals to managing the budget and timeline. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their projects. This course also teaches Project Managers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

IT Project Manager

IT Project Managers lead the planning, execution, and closure of IT projects. This includes everything from defining the project scope and goals to managing the budget and timeline. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help IT Project Managers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their IT projects. This course also teaches IT Project Managers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their business processes and systems. This includes working with stakeholders to identify and analyze business needs and developing solutions to meet those needs. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Business Analysts develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their business analysis projects. This course also teaches Business Analysts how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts help organizations design, develop, and implement new systems or improve existing systems. This includes working with stakeholders to identify and analyze system requirements and developing solutions to meet those requirements. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Systems Analysts develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their systems analysis projects. This course also teaches Systems Analysts how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics, including project management, business strategy, and information technology. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Consultants develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their consulting projects. This course also teaches Consultants how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the quality assurance of products and services. This includes working with engineers, designers, and other team members to define and implement quality standards. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Quality Assurance Managers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their quality assurance projects. This course also teaches Quality Assurance Managers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the operations of an organization. This includes managing the budget, staff, and resources of the organization. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Operations Managers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their operations projects. This course also teaches Operations Managers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing risks for an organization. This includes working with stakeholders to identify and analyze risks and developing strategies to mitigate those risks. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Risk Managers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their risk management projects. This course also teaches Risk Managers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Project Coordinator

Project Coordinators help Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This includes providing administrative and logistical support to the project team. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Project Coordinators develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their projects. This course also teaches Project Coordinators how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Estimator

Estimators develop cost estimates for construction projects. This includes working with architects, engineers, and other team members to define the project scope and goals. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Estimators develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their projects. This course also teaches Estimators how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Project Control Analyst

Project Control Analysts help Project Managers track and control the progress of projects. This includes working with Project Managers and other team members to define the project scope and goals. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Project Control Analysts develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their projects. This course also teaches Project Control Analysts how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Cost Analyst

Cost Analysts develop and maintain cost estimates for projects. This includes working with Project Managers and other team members to define the project scope and goals. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Cost Analysts develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their projects. This course also teaches Cost Analysts how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Scheduler

Schedulers develop and maintain project schedules. This includes working with Project Managers and other team members to define the project scope and goals. The course \"Best Practices for Project Estimation\" can help Schedulers develop the skills they need to accurately estimate the time, resources, and costs of their projects. This course also teaches Schedulers how to track actuals and use Earned Value Analysis to identify and manage risks.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Best Practices for Project Estimation.

A Leader's Guide to Agile

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Practical guide to agile estimation and planning. It provides step-by-step instructions on how to use agile techniques to estimate your projects, and it offers tips on how to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. If you are using agile methodologies, this book valuable resource.

Best Practices for Project Estimation

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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