Okay, there's nothing Perl-specific about this question, but I'm interested in everyone's answers to it anyway.

Is there a good way of coming up with estimates of how long a programming project will take? I generally start with a module breakdown, then estimate the number of lines of code in each module, then based on that do a total guess on how many hours each module will take. I break stuff down as far as I can, hoping that the errors I make will cancel themselves out. Then I multiply the whole thing by 2, since I've got only a 50% chance of being right.

(Then I hit CPAN, grab whatever I can, and use the time I save doing that to try to hit my deadline.)

Granted, everyone uses a different method of coming up with estimates, and yours might not work for me. But is this the best way of doing time estimates for Perl projects? Are there better methods?

In reply to Estimation by stephen

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