AGILE ESTIMATING AND PLANNING

Agile Estimating and Planning



Introduction3

About the Author4

Highlights and Main Features of the Book5

General Outline of the Book12

Part I: The Problem and the Goal17

Chapter 1: The Purpose of Planning17

Chapter 2: Why Planning Fails22

Chapter 3: An Agile Approach26

Part II Estimating Size31

Chapter 4: Estimating Size with Story Points31

Chapter 5: Estimating In Ideal Days33

Chapter 6: Techniques for Estimating35

Chapter 7: Re-Estimating38

Chapter 8: Choosing Between Story Points and Ideal Days40

Part III: Planning For Value41

Chapter 9: Prioritizing Themes41

Chapter 10: Financial Prioritization43

Chapter 11: Prioritizing Desirability47

Chapter 12: Splitting User Stories47

Part IV: Scheduling50

Chapter 13: Release Planning Essentials50

Chapter 14: Iteration Planning51

Chapter 15: Selecting an Iteration Length54

Chapter 16: Estimating Velocity55

Chapter 17: Buffering Plans for Uncertainty57

Chapter 18: Planning the Multi-Team Project60

Part V: Tracking and Communicating60

Chapter 19: Monitoring The Release Plan60

Chapter 20: Monitoring The Iteration Plan61

Chapter 21: Communicating About Plans62

Part VI: Why Agile Planning Works64

Chapter 22: Why Agile Planning Works64

Part VII: A Case Study65

Chapter 23: A Case Study: Bomb Shelter Studios65

Strengths and Weaknesses Of Book65

Conclusion/Opinion67

References68

Agile Estimating and Planning

Introduction

“Estimating and planning are critical to the success of any software development project of any size or consequence” (Cohn, 2005, p.3). In today's world of advanced technologies and globalization, there is not a single organization, which can run without software system and internet technology. Agile implementations are growing all over the world (Benefield, 2008, p. 461-461). This requires proper planning and estimation for the success and future sustainability of an organization. Software projects require more effective and efficient management strategies to meet the future requirements. Mike Cohn in this book, "Agile Estimating and Planning" provides better strategies for the facing the organizational and technology challenges with the fast and changing environment in the world of Software system. Cohn mainly focused on the concept of “agile practices” in the field of software management and that how these practices can assist in making organizations more efficient.

The book "Agile Estimating and Planning" provides complete solutions for all organizational issues like time management, allocation of resources and maximum utilization of resources, managing and planning to meet the future requirements in the world of technology. This book is an excellent guide for learning and development of better strategic systems to face the global competitors. In Agile Estimating and Planning, Cohn describes various approaches to agile estimation (Shore, 2008. P.272 ). This book follows practical approach in order to provide better understanding for the management of software projects with the real examples and case studies. There are various graphs, illustrations, tasks and other aids provided, which make this book one of its kind. Cohn also provided a number of different approaches and activities for assisting readers to learn effective ways of estimating and planning with the use of “Agile” practices.

This is a very well managed book that deals with the Agile estimation and planning rather dealing with the “Estimating and Planning Agile Projects”. Cohn also highlighted difference between both these tiles and the reason for choosing "Agile Estimating and Planning" as this clearly states that main concern is estimating and planning using Agile methods and practices and not “Agile ...