We are often asked, “What should our estimation process
look like?” There are likely as many answers to this question as there are
people who ask it. But at a high level, these are the steps most users
follow as they create, log, compare, analyze, validate, and present
estimates. Remember as you work that free customer support is included in
your SLIM-Collaborate license. Contact QSM
support to set up coaching sessions, learn about training, videos,
whitepapers, and other valuable resources, or ask any question that comes to
mind. We’re here to help you succeed!
1. Decide which kind of estimate you need (ROM/Feasibility or more detailed estimate).
2. Select a relevant configuration source (template or similar completed/closeout project) to speed up new project creation and reduce manual data entry.
3. (optional, but highly recommended) Review/revise project settings inherited you’re your configuration source (template or completed project).
4. Review the available solution method and select the method that best “fits” the information you have available.
5. Enter estimation assumptions (inputs).
6. Generate your first solution and compare it to the balanced risk solution.
7. Assess solution risk and validate your productivity, schedule, and staffing assumptions.
8. Create and log several solutions to explore practical planning alternatives.
9. Use the Estimation dashboard to compare different solutions and choose the one that best balances risk and management goals.
10. (optional, but recommended) Use the Contingency dashboard to determine the appropriate amount of management reserve for schedule, effort, or cost.
11. Review Project Access (who on your team needs to see this project? Who needs edit permissions?).
12. Subscribe to receive email notifications when a solution workflow status changes, notes are added, or the project advances to closeout.
13. Present your results to management using the Estimation dashboard’s customizable analysis views. Presentations can be exported to PDF, PowerPoint, and Excel formats.