The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right

Refine Effort Estimates and Reconcile with Duration Estimates

Adjust effort estimates for your specific project. Consider resource and staffing factors such as:

• Project constraints and assumptions

• Required skills analysis and staff capabilities

• Staff availability

• Staff productivity

• Activities that are not fully staffed by named, committed contributors

• Delays in staff acquisition

• Potential turnover

• The project work environment and frequency of interruptions

• Team size

• Communications and meetings

• Geographical separation of team members

• Conflicting project priorities with other work

• Training and learning curve issues

Effort estimation and activity duration estimation are closely linked. Which you do first for project planning does not matter much, but ensure ...