Why estimate in ranges?

Why estimate in ranges? (schedule bar legend)

The single-point estimates (i.e., “10 days”) that most software programs use are usually padded guesses instead of realistic estimates.

Ranged estimates capture the amount of uncertainty associated with each task. If the range is quite large, the amount of uncertainty is high. If the range is small, the task duration is relatively certain.

LiquidPlanner sees each range as a bell curve and uses it to calculate an expected completion date.

The set of ranged estimates in your project provides the data LiquidPlanner uses to statistically determine all of the possible schedule outcomes. This data appears on schedule bars in the Schedule tab.

The colored bar represents the time period that the task or project will be worked on. The gradient block within the colored bar represents the range of possible completion dates, with the “E” marking the expected completion date. The end of the colored bar indicates the point at which you can be 98% confident the task will be completed.

Statistically-correct schedules eliminate the need for buffering, padding, and sandbagging. You’ll now have full transparency into when each task will be completed.