Deliver Us From Estimation

It’s not ideal to think of our product as a long list of things we must do. It’s not the best idea to predict when we’ll be done, or even project when we’ll be done. The Agile Manifesto calls for Working Software. Take the next problem, solve it with working software. Really solve it, which means getting that solution in the hands of the people who need it. It’s not about planning, predicting, and projecting. It’s about choosing, building, and providing.

- Ron Jeffries

I’m not fundamentally opposed to estimation in software development. But I might say I’m opposed to taking it seriously.

The only thing that’s real in this industry is working software in the hands of real users. The map is not the territory.

My heart's desire is that every impulse toward better estimation get channelled toward streamlining delivery. Amen.