Task Based Estimation Sheet

In Software industries, people are following different SDLC. Now a days, Scrum is more popular among software industries. However, there are companies still following and believing in Waterfall and Modified waterfall SDLC. They are doing estimation of small size to large size projects. They are using different format of XLS file. I have put my experience and generate XLS file called Task Based Estimation Sheet which will be easy to use and maintain for project lead and project manager while doing estimation.

The XLS file contains 4 sheets:

• “Guideline” : There are few points which PM and/or PL needs to consider while doing estimation.
• “TBE” : it is an input area. PM and/or PL needs to break down each task into small bits and pieces and estimate them for different headings. At bottom of TBE sheet, there are general sections in which PM / PL needs to put efforts for common activities.
• “Summary” : This will be populated automatically based on values entered on TBE sheet. To know the cost of the project, PM/PL needs to enter only hourly rates for different types of resources in “Rate / Hr” column and they will get total cost of the project (Here, hardware cost is not considered which are used in the project).
• “Resource Loading”: Before going to client, PM needs to figure out the best team size, this sheet will help PM to design team within the budget constraint.

Note:

• Efforts should be in Hrs.
• I would like to advise PM/PL that tasks should be broken down into small bits and pieces like 2 Hrs, 4 Hrs, 6 Hrs and 8 Hrs. This makes PM/PL life easy while giving justification to stakeholders. If there is task of 48 Hrs then it would be difficult for PM/PL to justify this against stakeholder.
• All formula cells are in hidden stage if you want to see the formula then please respond me.
• You can contact me on my email ID if you want any addition / modification to the sheet.

Requirement Traceability Matrix

A traceability matrix is a document, which is normally in tabular format. That correlates any two baseline documents and ensures completeness of the relationship. Relationship of each item of documents will be many to many.

The usage of this document is the most popular in Software development industries to map other documents with baseline software requirement document so it is called Requirement Traceability Matrix document. In which all other documents like High Level, Low Level design documents, Test Cases, Unit Test document IDs are mapped with baseline requirement document IDs to ensure that every requirements are documented, developed, tested and delivered.

I have created Requirement Traceability Matrix for Software Development companies, which covers relationship among all artifacts. Many people are thinking that to maintain such document is time consuming activity but when we use and maintain it properly then that becomes really helpful to team members and project stakeholders.

Project Leads can customize the document as per their requirements like if project leads are maintaining Application design document instead of High level or Low level design documents then they can replace High Level and Low Level design documents Section IDs columns with Application Design document Sections ID even they can remove the columns as well like the application does not have any user manual then Project lead can remove it from Matrix sheet. I strongly recommend that all project leads should maintain the document and project managers should ensure that in the interest of Project.

Link: Requirement Traceability Matrix

Technical and Soft Skills Training list for IT companies

While discussing with IT people, they are normally discussing about the training being conducted by their organizations. I would feel bad to say that they are not happy with training given by Organizations.

On other side, Organization is giving enough weightage to Trainings but they are facing difficulties to identify the trainings (Technical and Soft skill). I am having 15+ years of experience and out of that, I have identified the trainings which are very much required to all types of resources (from Fresher to Technical leads and Managers) and definitely, helps to organizations to keep their resources pleased.

Link : Technical and Soft Skills Training Sheet