Dominate the Project Management Arena with PMP Certification - Simplilearn Gives You the Edge!

There are many different types of project estimation techniques used in Project Management with various streams like Engineering, IT, Construction, Agriculture, Accounting, etc. A Project manager is often challenged to align mainly six project constraints - Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Resources, and Risk in order to accurately estimate the project. The common questions that come into the mind of a project manager at the start of the project are–

  • How much work is to be estimated (scope).
  • How to estimate the project (techniques).
  • How much time it will require to complete the project (Schedule).
  • Who will be doing the project (resources)?
  • What is the budget required to deliver the project (cost)?
  • Any intermediary dependencies that may delay or impact the project (Risks).

We will next learn about the major parts of the project estimation techniques.

Level Up Your Project Management Skills with PMP Certification - Simplilearn is Your Game Changer!

Prepare for success with Simplilearn's IIT Courses. Develop a strong foundation in core subjects and maximize your chances of admission to IIT.

What are Project Estimation Techniques?

Project estimation techniques refer to the procedures and tools used to develop rough calculations of various aspects of any project. An excellent example of this is a project cost estimate that provides an overview of the anticipated expenses associated with the project. 

Whenever stakeholders or clients require information on any project aspect, these techniques help project managers evaluate realistic numbers essential to plan a project successfully.

Why is Project Estimates Important?

Accurate estimates are critical to plan and execute a project successfully. Without precise estimates, it becomes tough to determine how long a project will take or the number of resources required. 

Project managers use these estimates to ensure the team has the right people, materials, and tools available whenever needed. These estimates also help managers set realistic goals and expectations for the team members and the stakeholders. 

Who Estimates Projects?

Estimating a project is typically done by the project team. Although the project manager may be in charge of the database or documents used to record estimates, the whole team and subject matter experts need to participate in creating and refining the estimates. 

Engaging more knowledgeable individuals in the estimation process increases the chances of generating realistic figures. The project manager ensures the estimates are complete and updated whenever necessary.

The 3 Major Parts to Project Estimation

  • Effort estimation
  • Cost estimation
  • Resource estimate

While accurate estimates are the basis of sound project planning, there are many techniques used as project management best practices in estimation as - Analogous estimation, Parametric estimation, Delphi method, 3 Point Estimate, Expert Judgment, Published Data Estimates, Vendor Bid Analysis, Reserve Analysis, Bottom-Up Analysis, and Simulation. Usually, during the early stages of a project life cycle, the project requirements are feebly known and less information is available to estimate the project. The initial estimate is drawn merely by assumptions knowing the scope at a high level, this is known as ‘Ball-park estimates’, a term very often used by project managers.

We will next learn about the top project estimation techniques.

Project Estimation Techniques

IG_project_estimation_techniques

1. Top-Down Estimate

Once more detail is learned on the scope of the project, this technique is usually followed where high-level chunks at the feature or design level are estimated and are decomposed progressively into smaller chunks or work-packets as information is detailed.

2. Bottom-Up Estimate

This technique is used when the requirements are known at a discrete level where the smaller workpieces are then aggregated to estimate the entire project. This is usually used when the information is only known in smaller pieces.

3. Analogous Estimating

This project estimation technique is used when there is a reference to a similar project executed and it is easy to correlate with other projects. Expert judgment and historical information of similar activities in a referenced project are gathered to arrive at an estimate of the project.

4. Parametric Estimate

This technique uses independent measurable variables from the project work.  For example, the cost for construction of a building is calculated based on the smallest variable as the cost to build a square feet area, the effort required to build a work packet is calculated from the variable as lines of codes in a software development project. This technique gives more accuracy in project estimation.

5. Three-point Estimating

This technique uses a mathematical approach as the weighted average of an optimistic, most likely and pessimistic estimate of the work package. This is often known as the PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique).

6. What-If Analysis

This project estimation technique uses assumptions based on varying factors like scope, time, cost, resources, etc., to evaluate the possible outcomes of the project by doing impact analysis. In a usual scenario, the project estimate is done by conducting estimation workshops with the stakeholders of the project, senior team members who could give valuable inputs to the estimation exercise. The high-level scope is broken down into smaller work packages, components, and activities, each work package is estimated by effort and resources needed to complete the work package. The project may be detailed into the smallest chunk that can be measured.

The following activities are done during the workshop:

  • Break down the scope into smallest work package, components or activities (WBS)
  • Sequence the activities in the order in which they will be performed
  • Identify the effort required to complete each activity
  • Identify the resource estimate to complete each task or activity
  • Identify the dependencies to complete each activity
  • Identify the possible risks and assumptions
  • Define the resource and cost estimate to the completion of each activity, component and work package

When Should Estimates Take Place?

In a Waterfall project that follows a traditional approach, the planning phase occurs after project initiation. During this phase, estimates are made and recorded for different aspects such as scope, cost, time, resources, quality, and risks. These estimates may be subject to adjustments throughout the project as and when new information arises. For example, if new risks are identified, project risk estimates must be updated accordingly.

Agile projects, on the other hand, adopt a more iterative planning approach. Such projects are usually divided into sprints or iterations in most Agile frameworks. During the initial stage, estimates are created when compiling the overall project backlog - a list of features and requirements. During each sprint, estimates are updated either in the sprint retrospective or the sprint planning session for each new sprint.

Learn from a course that has been designed to help you ace your PMP exam in the first attemp! Check out our PMP Certification Training Course today!

Choose the Right Program

Are you looking to take your project management skills to the next level? Look no further than Simplilearn's comprehensive project management courses!

Our courses are designed to help professionals at every level of experience to develop and enhance their project management skills, whether you're just starting out in the field or looking to advance your career. With our courses, you'll gain practical, hands-on experience in managing projects from start to finish, and learn best practices and industry standards that will set you apart from the competition.

Program Name PMP® Certification Training Course PMP Plus Post Graduate Program In Project Management

Geo All Geos All Geos All Geos
University PMI Simplilearn University of Massachusetts Amherst
Course Duration 90 Days of Flexible Access to Online Classes

36 Months 6 Months
Coding experience reqd No No No
Skills you wll learn 8+ PM skills including Work Breakdown Structure, Gantt Charts, Resource Allocation, Leadership and more. 6 courses including Project Management, Agile Scrum Master, Implementing a PMO, and More 9+ skills including
Project Management, Quality Management, Agile Management, Design Thinking and More.
Additional Benefits -Experiential learning through case studies -Global Teaching Assistance -35PDUs -Learn by working on real-world problems -24x7 Learning support from mentors -Earn 60+ PDU’s -3 year course access
Cost $$ $$$$ $$$$
Explore Program Explore Program Explore Program

Conclusion 

Project estimation techniques are essential to accurately estimate several project aspects such as cost, time, scope, and more. An accurate estimate helps project managers plan and execute projects effectively while ensuring the right resources are available when necessary. 

Suppose you want to learn more about the different types of project estimation techniques or gain an in-depth understanding of project management. In that case, a PMP® Certification Training course can help you learn, get certified, and apply these estimation techniques effectively. The course highlights the role of project managers while focusing on new technologies, emerging trends, and core competencies that a project manager should possess. 

The above exercise gives an exact estimate of the project and the outcome of the workshop may be a project plan and a project schedule with effort, resource, and cost estimates for pmp professionals.

Happy learning! We wish you good luck with your PMP Certification Training journey!

PMBOK®, PMP®, and PMI® have registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Our Project Management Courses Duration And Fees

Project Management Courses typically range from a few weeks to several months, with fees varying based on program and institution.

Program NameDurationFees
Post Graduate Program in Project Management

Cohort Starts: 13 Apr, 2024

6 Months$ 3,000
PMP® Plus36 Months$ 1,849

Get Free Certifications with free video courses

prevNext

Learn from Industry Experts with free Masterclasses

  • How to Successfully Ace the PMP Exam on Your First Attempt in 2024

    Project Management

    How to Successfully Ace the PMP Exam on Your First Attempt in 2024

    5th Mar, Tuesday9:00 PM IST
  • Career Masterclass: How to Successfully Ace the PMP Exam on Your First Attempt in 2024

    Project Management

    Career Masterclass: How to Successfully Ace the PMP Exam on Your First Attempt in 2024

    21st Nov, Tuesday9:00 PM IST
  • Panel Discussion: The Startup Career Strategy - The Highs and Lows

    Career Fast-track

    Panel Discussion: The Startup Career Strategy - The Highs and Lows

    30th Jul, Thursday9:00 PM IST
prevNext