This episode is part of a wider mini-series looking at Estimation in Software Development.

In this episode, I wanted to look at the impact that dependencies have on software estimation.

This episode was inspired by a blog post on scrum.org entitled "Eliminate Dependencies, Don't Manage Them", which I read while preparing this series.

In brief, the article talks about how you're better off eliminating dependencies rather than trying to manage them through normal traditional management processes.

In his book, Software Estimation, Demystifying the Black Art, Steve McConnell says that size of the software is the single most significant contributor to project effort and schedule.

Personally, I'd like to suggest that dependencies, if not of similar importance, are a close second.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/197

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

This episode is part of a wider mini-series looking at Estimation in Software Development.

In this episode, I want to encourage you to mentally separate estimation and planning.

They are often conflated, which leads to confusion, distrust and dysfunctional behavior.

An estimate is generally part of a plan, and a plan can be the outcome of the act of planning.

Software development can't be delivered without planning, even if it's only the most cursory of activities.

Software development can be delivered without an estimate. -----

Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/196

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

This episode is part of a wider mini-series looking at Estimation in Software Development.

In last week's episode, I asked you to think about what the term "estimate" means to you, your team and your organisation.

In the episode I talked about different definitions that could easily be conflated - the amount of effort, a target, and a commitment.

In this week's episode I want to continue the discussion by looking at estimates "proxies" - what they are, why they can be useful and how to avoid the trap of confusing them for scheduling.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/195

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap