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'Estimation' is the calculated approximation of a result which is usable even if input data may be incomplete, uncertain, or noisy.
In statistics, see estimation theory, estimator.
In mathematics, ''approximation'' or ''estimation'' typically means finding upper or lower bounds of a quantity that cannot readily be computed precisely and is also an educated guess
. While initial results may be unusably uncertain, recursive input from output, can purify results to be approximately ''accurate, certain, complete and noise-free.''

★ In project management (ie. for engineering), accurate estimates are the basis of sound project planning. Many process which have been developed to aid engineers in making accurate estimates, such as

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★ compartmentalization (ie. breakdown of tasks),

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★ parametric estimating,

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★ structured planning,

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★ educated assumptions,

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★ Delphi method

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★ identifying dependencies,

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★ examining historical data,

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★ estimating each task,

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★ documenting the results.
Popular estimation processes include:

★ Cocomo

★ Proxy Based Estimation (PROBE) (from the Personal Software Process)

★ Wideband Delphi

★ The Planning Game (from Extreme Programming)

★ Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

★ Event chain methodology

Contents

See also

External links

See also

★ Estimation theory

★ "Estimated" sign

★ Estimation in software engineering

★ Fermi problem

★ Work Breakdown Structure

★ Project management

★ Software metric

★ Wideband Delphi

★ Sample size

★ Guesstimate

External links

★ Estimation chapter from "Applied Software Project Management" (PDF)

★ The Dynamics of Software Projects Estimation

★ Estimator-Estimation Software

★ Estimations in project management