Estimating Cost, Time & Schedule

Definitive Estimate vs. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Title

Definitive Estimate vs. ROM/Rough Order of Magnitude (+ Calculator)

When the cost of projects (or parts of a project) is estimated, the accuracy of these estimates depends on various factors. These include but are not limited to the availability and quality of information and the estimation technique used. The available options and data to estimate costs typically vary among the phases of a project. …

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Estimating Activity Durations: Definition, Methods, Practical Uses

Before you begin developing the schedule of a project, you need to know the expected durations of all activities of a project. Project management frameworks such as the PMI’s PMBOK contain different tools and techniques for estimating durations. The expected amount of time for the completion of an activity is the basis for developing the …

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Title_Bottom-Up-Estimating

Bottom-Up Estimating – Definition, Example, Pros & Cons

Bottom-up estimating is a technique that involves estimations on a granular level for parts of a project. These are then aggregated to a total estimate for the entire project. It is often referred to as one of the most accurate ways of estimating. Estimating cost, duration or resource requirements of a project typically starts with …

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Title 5 step guide to analogous estimating

How to Do Analogous Estimating – an Illustrated 5-Step Guide

Analogous estimating is a common technique in project management to determine cost, schedule or resource estimates. It is often used in situations where a rough estimate meets the needs of the stakeholders or at a time when not many details are known about a project. Applying the technique involves the selection of similar projects, the …

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Title Analogous Estimating

Analogous Estimating | Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons

Analogous estimating is a top-down estimation technique for estimating the cost, resources and durations of projects (according to PMBOK®, 6th edition, ch. 6.4.2, 7.2.2, 9.2.2). While it is less accurate than other methods, it can be used to produce an order of magnitude or an initial estimate. Therefore, it is a common technique during the selection or …

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COQ Title

Cost of Quality (COQ) – Cost of Conformance vs. Cost of Non-Conformance

Cost of quality is a technique under the Project Quality Management Knowledge Area of the PMI framework (PMBOK®, 6th edition, ch. 8.1.2.3). The concept comprises of a short- and long-term consideration of quality expressed in its two components: cost of conformance and cost of non-conformance. In this article, we will shed a light on the …

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Estimating the cost of a project

Estimating Cost of a Project: Techniques and Examples

Estimating cost is an important process in project management as it is the basis for determining and controlling the project budget. Costs are estimated for the first time at the beginning of a project or even before a project has started. Subsequently, the (re-)estimation of the project cost is repeated on an ongoing basis to …

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Dices illustrating the ambiguity that surrounds rough order of magnitude estimates

What Is the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) and How Is It Calculated?

During the project initiation phase (or when you are preparing for a project management exam) you will likely come across the term rough order of magnitude (ROM). The PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge refers to the rough order of magnitude as an initial estimate in the “estimate cost” process (source: PMBOK®, 6th edition, part …

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Calculator for rough order of magnitude estimate range

Calculator for the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Range

If you are in the initiation phase of a project or studying the PMBOK for your PMP exam you will find this ROM Range Calculator useful. This tool helps you determine the minimum and maximum values of the range of your rough order of magnitude estimate. Introduction to the ROM Calculator There are numerous estimation …

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