Five-Minute-Task Time Estimate Worksheet

5 minutes

deal with the compile-time errors you failed to anticipate:

deal with an obscure compiler error you've never seen before:

figure out why it dumps memory before executing first line of code:

figure out why it still dumps memory, even though you fixed the problem:

total time of other staff in helping you with previous item:

completely rewrite it to work around obscure system or compiler bug that could not be solved even with other peoples’ help:

deal with additional compile-time errors introduced by rewrite:

figure out why it dumps memory again:

it seems to work; now fully test all new/changed functionality by hand:

correct problems found:

code for obscure error conditions or user input exceptions that you didn't think of until just now:

add some features that would be easy and relevant that you didn't think of until just now:

compile again:

test again:

write/update program documentation:

write/update user documentation:

rewrite documentation that you lost from the power failure:

install software:

test the installed version:

figure out why installed version doesn't work or works differently than before:

fix install problem:

install documentation:

update source control area:

deal with installed software changes crashing all systems at random intervals:

total time of other staff in helping you with previous item:

fix software:

compile:

test:

install:

deal with innaccurate bug reports from 2 percent* of your userbase:
(*please round up to nearest whole human being)

deal with accurate bug reports from 1/2 percent* of your userbase:
(*please round up to nearest whole human being)

fix user's legitimate complaints:

compile:

test:

install:

document the complete redesign that you now realize the system needs, but that you don't have time to do: