Five-Minute-Task Time Estimate Worksheet

5 minutes

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

2

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

15

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

15

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

60

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

30

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

8

deal with additional compile-time errors introduced by rewrite:

4

figure out why it dumps memory again:

10

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

10

correct problems found:

5

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

20

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

30

compile again:

2

test again:

10

write/update program documentation:

10

write/update user documentation:

10

rewrite documentation that you lost from the power failure:

15

install software:

5

test the installed version:

5

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

60

fix install problem:

5

install documentation:

5

update source control area:

5

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

120

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

240

fix software:

30

compile:

2

test:

10

install:

5

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

60

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

30

fix user's legitimate complaints:

5

compile:

2

test:

10

install:

5

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

15