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cost estimate mistakes

Estimates are not easy to work on but it is necessary to get the iOS development project started. There are 3 reasons why anyone would ask for an estimate. One, they need to know how much is needed to complete the project successfully. Two, they need to know how long it would take to complete the project. Three, investors are needed to fund the project and investors always want to see the figures and estimates. For all 3 reasons, an estimate that sucks will accomplish nothing which means the iOS development project – your dream software – will remain a dream. That is, unless you find someone who is willing to give you the money with no strings attached and no literature needed to explain the project. As the programmer or creator of the software, you need the estimate as a guide. Once the project has started, it’s easy to get lost in the process of creating your software that you forget about the cost. The estimate will help keep you focused and grounded.

What Makes an Estimate Suck?

Let’s put it simply. Estimates suck for these reasons: It’s not based on real numbers. If you don’t take estimates seriously, you won’t check your budget and deadline. This means submitting something erroneous which will come back to hurt you eventually. Anyone who believed in your estimate may get upset and this will definitely distract you from the job of software development. You may have a good idea of how much it would take to create the software but the money, time, and resources, if not real, will bite you back. If that happens, you may be forced to stop the project. It’s based on inaccuracies. An estimate can also be inaccurate if your software idea is not as original as you may think it is. In the IT world, something new is launched every hour. Your iOS project has to be unique to appeal to users. You have to do intensive research on the viability of the software once it is launched.

Here’s a short list of potential issues of a poorly done estimate:

• Insufficient funds
• Internal conflict or disagreements with the different persons involved in the project on schedules, work task, objective, and strategy
• Inability to meet deadlines
• Resignation of key people in the project
• Market changes in terms of what will sell and what consumers want

The Solutions to Better iOS Development Estimates

Knowing the issues of having a poor estimate will help you avoid them. Granted you will still have rabbit holes to contend with, a good job on the estimate will not anchor you to unnecessary pressures such as insufficient resources and a rigid deadline.

Typically, the questions to ask yourself when putting together the estimate include:

• How long will it take for each task? What leeway do I give each task?
• Is every member of the software development team fully committed?
• What is the commitment of those asking for the estimate? You need to ask this question because putting together the estimate is not just a piece of paper for investors or the business owner. Making estimates is not an IT task with only your input. It is a joint undertaking that demands a trust relationship with all concerned parties.
• What needs and values have to be met?

These are great starter questions that can help you avoid submitting a lousy estimate so that in the real world you have something completely doable.