How can you improve your time estimation skills in Emergency Management?

2 Break down tasks

Another way to improve your time estimation skills is to break down complex or large tasks into smaller and more manageable subtasks. Breaking down tasks can help you reduce uncertainty and ambiguity, and focus on specific and measurable outcomes. You can also assign a time estimate for each subtask, and then add them up to get the total time estimate for the task. Breaking down tasks can also help you allocate resources, delegate responsibilities, and monitor progress more effectively.

3 Use multiple methods

Improving your time estimation skills can be achieved by utilizing multiple methods for each task or project. This will help you cross-check and validate your estimates, rather than relying on a single approach that could be inaccurate. Expert judgment, analogous estimation, parametric estimation, and three-point estimation are all effective methods that you can use. For expert judgment, you can consult with experts or experienced colleagues who have done similar tasks before. Analogous estimation involves comparing your task with a similar one that has been completed before. Parametric estimation uses mathematical formulas or models to relate time to other variables, such as scope, size, quality, or complexity. Finally, three-point estimation allows you to estimate the best-case, worst-case, and most likely scenarios for each task or project, before calculating the weighted average based on the probabilities of each scenario.

4 Add contingency

A fourth way to improve your time estimation skills is to add contingency or buffer time to your estimates. Contingency time is the extra time that you reserve for unexpected events, risks, or changes that can affect your schedule. Adding contingency time can help you cope with uncertainty and volatility, and avoid missing deadlines or compromising quality. However, you should not add too much contingency time, as it can lead to inefficiency or procrastination. A general rule of thumb is to add 10% to 20% of your total time estimate as contingency time, depending on the level of risk and uncertainty.

5 Review and update

A fifth way to improve your time estimation skills is to review and update your estimates regularly. Reviewing and updating your estimates can help you monitor your progress, identify deviations, and adjust your plans accordingly. You should review and update your estimates at least once a week, or more frequently if there are significant changes or issues. You should also compare your actual time spent with your planned time, and analyze the causes and effects of any discrepancies. You can use feedback, lessons learned, and historical data to improve your time estimation skills for future tasks or projects.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?