To improve your ability to estimate length of time for tasks, make a to-do list of upcoming tasks to complete, and jot down an off-the-cuff estimate for how long you expect each task to take. As you complete each task, record the time you actually spend on each one.
You can use this to generate more accurate estimates for groups of tasks – see how far out or close your estimates were, and use this to calculate a better estimate next time.
Source: How to Make Accurate Time Estimates @ Steve Pavlina
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- Estimating Time Accurately @ MindTools
Excerpt: People often underestimate the amount of time needed to implement projects, particularly when they’re not familiar with the work that needs to be done. For instance, they may not take into account unexpected events or urgent high priority work; and they may fail to allow for the full complexity of the job. Clearly, this is likely to have serious negative consequences further down the line. This is why it’s important to estimate time accurately, if your project is to be successful.
- How To Estimate Time Required In Project Management @ MicrosoftTraining.net
Excerpt: The to-do list is a perfect place to start and is vital when estimating the time. All tasks within the project should be listed. Once all the tasks have been listed, get experienced people to estimate the time required for each task. Never assume that you know better than the experts. Time estimated need to be based on a foundation of knowledge and experience.
