Listen "#198: Estimation vs the punitive target"
Episode Synopsis
This episode is part of a wider mini-series looking at Estimation in Software Development.
In this episode, I wanted to highlight the emotional baggage that you developers may associate with estimation, and through no fault of your own, will carry that baggage into future estimation work.
In the episode, I look at the psychological scarring left behind from decades of using estimates as punitive targets.
Like most experienced developers, I've worked in organisations that turn estimates into punitive targets - where a well-meaning estimate has been turned into a commitment, and ultimately, a stick to beat the team with.
Now that stick has ranged from the aggressive to the passive, be it threats of dismissal or simply discussing the failure to hit the estimate.
-----
Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/198
Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap
In this episode, I wanted to highlight the emotional baggage that you developers may associate with estimation, and through no fault of your own, will carry that baggage into future estimation work.
In the episode, I look at the psychological scarring left behind from decades of using estimates as punitive targets.
Like most experienced developers, I've worked in organisations that turn estimates into punitive targets - where a well-meaning estimate has been turned into a commitment, and ultimately, a stick to beat the team with.
Now that stick has ranged from the aggressive to the passive, be it threats of dismissal or simply discussing the failure to hit the estimate.
-----
Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/198
Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap
More episodes of the podcast Better ROI from Software Development
#205: Estimation - a wrap-up
05/03/2025
#204: Estimation - Professionalism
26/02/2025
#202: Estimation - Quantitative approaches
12/02/2025
#201: Estimation - the #NoEstimate approach
05/02/2025
#200: Estimation - Qualitative Approaches
29/01/2025
#197: Estimation vs Dependencies
08/01/2025
#196: Estimation vs Planning
18/12/2024
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.