Two key features of a project are on-time and on-budget delivery. The project manager can only fulfill these objectives if the estimates leading to the project schedule and budget are accurate.

One of the first tasks when managing a project is the cost estimate. A cost estimate must be accurate, transparent and reliable. These factors are particularly important for a small business because ...

As a staff writer for Forbes Advisor, SMB, Kristy helps small business owners find the tools they need to keep their businesses running. She uses the experience of managing her own writing and editing ...

Once you understand the effort that’s required for a project, you can assign resources to determine how long the project will take and estimate labor and non-labor costs. Here’s a process you can use ...

The purpose of the estimate is two-fold. First, it allows the contractor to enter into a contractual agreement with confidence. Second, it provides an organized, detailed plan to execute the project ...

Let’s start with some estimate definitions – The first type of estimate is called an “order of magnitude” estimate. This is usually a guess that some upper-level has determined is the right amount of ...

Properly estimating a Java development project is both an art and a science. Since Java and the J2EE specification are built for enterprise-class solutions, it only makes sense to take an enterprise ...

Project work estimation has three components: the initial first cut, commonly known as a SWAG (scientific wild-ass guess), tracking the estimate against the actual numbers, and using the schedule to ...