The reason we often end up working ridiculous hours doing
HeroicProgramming is because
SoftwareCostIsEasyToUnderestimate. Why am I always asked by people to write a "little app" that should only take a week? Why am I always being told by project managers that
IfYouThinkYouCanAndYouTryVeryHard it will get done, usually at the end?
Software is really expensive. It costs a lot. This is frustrating to me that project after project stuff is promised that is really hard to deliver properly with the time allocated.
--
DustinAleksiuk
There are psychological considerations why underestimate is much more prevelant than overestimate. And these apply to all projects.
- you want to have approval for the project
- the sponsor(or management) want to demonstrate his prudence in budget management
- it helps to motivate people, work expands to fill up resources allocated
- maintain interest in stakeholders (see QuickWins)
I was just meditating on the
CostOfLineOfCode. Maybe that little 1000 line app is more expensive than we think?