Learn how to estimate software projects accurately using proven techniques and tools. This course covers Agile and traditional methods, real-world case studies, and practical exercises. Perfect for developers, team leads, and project managers looking to improve planning and delivery.
Who Should Enroll:
- Software developers
- Project Managers
- Team Leads
- Business Analysts
- Aspiring Tech Leads
Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of programming and software development practices
Trainer:
Rasan Samarasinghe (Profile)
Training Fee:
Rs. 18,000.00 per participant (Method of payment)
Delivery:
Online/Offline | Lectures + Case Studies + Exercises + Tools
Duration:
18 hours (adjustable for workshops, bootcamps, or semester-based teaching)
Medium:
English
Certification:
Digital certification with the transcript upon completion
1: Introduction to Software Estimation
- Importance of accurate estimation in software projects
- Common pitfalls and consequences of poor estimation
- Types of estimates: effort, cost, duration, size
- Estimation in Agile vs. Traditional (Waterfall) methods
2: Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) & Estimation Touchpoints
- Where estimation fits in SDLC
- Evolving nature of estimates: initial, revised, and actuals
- The cone of uncertainty
- Estimation vs. budgeting vs. forecasting
3: Estimation Techniques Overview
- Expert Judgment
- Analogous Estimation
- Parametric Estimation
- Bottom-Up Estimation
- Top-Down Estimation
- Three-Point Estimation (PERT)
- Wideband Delphi Technique
- Planning Poker
4: Sizing Techniques
- Lines of Code (LOC)
- Function Point Analysis (FPA)
- Use Case Points (UCP)
- Story Points and T-Shirt Sizing (Agile)
- COSMIC Functional Sizing
5: Estimating Agile Projects
- Agile philosophy and impact on estimation
- User Stories and Story Points
- Velocity and Burn-down charts
- Relative Estimation
- Estimating sprints and releases
- Handling uncertainty and buffers
6: Estimating Traditional (Waterfall) Projects
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Task-level estimation
- Gantt charts and dependencies
- Critical path and buffer times
7: Tools for Estimation
- Excel for estimation models
- Jira, Trello, or Azure DevOps for Agile estimation
- Estimation tools: Function Point Workbench, SEER-SEM, Cocomo II Calculator
- Cost estimation spreadsheets and templates
8: Risk and Uncertainty in Estimation
- Identifying estimation risks
- Risk-adjusted estimates
- Contingency buffers vs. management reserve
- Scenario analysis
9: Real-world Case Studies
- Estimation in fixed bid vs. time and material projects
- Estimation challenges in startups vs. enterprises
- Real estimation examples (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid)
- Lessons learned from failed estimation projects
10: Best Practices & Soft Skills
- Communicating estimates effectively
- Negotiating with stakeholders
- Managing changes and re-estimations
- Developing estimation maturity in a team/organization
Capstone Project
- Choose a sample software project (e.g., e-commerce app, HR system)
- Go through a complete estimation process: size, effort, cost
- Use estimation techniques and tools
- Present the estimate, assumptions, and risk analysis
Supplementary Materials
- Estimation templates (Agile and Traditional)
- Sample project briefs for exercises
- Tools comparison chart
- Reading list & further resources
Enroll in this course now
We schedule our trainings based on the requests we receive. Whether you’re an individual or a team, fill out the form below to request this course. We’ll get back to you with available dates or a custom session – group or one-on-one. Learn more.