Presentation: Turbocharging Your Estimation Process Using Data You (Probably) Already Have
Abstract: Good, reliable data combined with practitioner/expert experience are the cornerstones of a solid estimation process. Unfortunately, many organizations often ignore the good data part of the equation or misuse/misapply it in their estimation processes. Without good, reliable, historical data upon which to base their estimates, organizations will inevitably run into challenges delivering their project & programs on time, on budget, to the satisfaction of their stakeholders and will likely not fully realize the intended benefits.
This presentation will focus on how organizations can put in place a robust program that:
- fully automates the process of collecting data from in-flight projects/programs, completed projects/programs and estimates for new ones
- organizes this data in a relational database for easy access, analysis and manipulation
- utilizes the data in the database to generate estimates at a task, resource, phase, sprint, project, and program level in an automated way
- determines the probability that the generated estimates will actually materialize in an automated way
- uses the probability to communicate effectively communicate to executives and team members the likelihood of the estimates materializing
- based on the probability, determines how to set the appropriate contingency at a task, resource, phase, sprint, project, and program level and manage estimation risk
- benchmarks data in the database against others in the industry
While some of the concepts in this presentation are advanced, I will show ways to simplify implementation of this program using tools like spreadsheets, reporting platforms and enterprise project & portfolio (EPPM) systems. The examples in this presentation will be from real life projects, programs and portfolios.
PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working
Biography: Nana Kwame is a writer and frequent speaker and presenter on project and portfolio management where he focuses on how PMOs can deliver value to organizations by focusing on processes (and key metrics) that help organizations realize project and portfolio benefits as part of the strategic planning process. He has over 20 years of experience working in varied industries including government contracting, utilities and international development.
He currently helps manage the Enterprise PMO at Abt Associates where he has implemented PPM toolsets, led process improvement initiatives and managed several enterprise projects including ERP implementations.
He led DC Water’s IT Project Management Office, with responsibility of transforming DC Water’s IT PPM function from an ad-hoc, individual effort-based operation into an agile, team-oriented organization working to deliver measurable benefits to the company. This PMO deployed several award winning and innovative projects that have significantly improved DC Water’s bottom line. The PMO won the Project Management Institute’s prestigious PMO of the year award for 2020.
In his previous role with Acentia, he served as a Senior Project Manager responsible for managing day-today operations and enhancement requests for the US Department of Labor’s e-Procurement system. Kwame ensured that the system was smoothly retired once the replacement system was stood up and was in full use.
Nana holds a master’s degree in project management from George Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree in information systems management from Strayer University.
