Actually, we plan to have a private beta that includes both current clients and early adopters. You’re on that list :)

Surprised not to hear anything about agile in here. Its basic effect on software estimation is to keep your time horizons short. It also forces you into an early feedback loop, probably a good thing with new product development.

Intriguing to me also that you would develop a “web product” in secret. Any thoughts on private beta, etc.?

Good to hear from you again. Thanks for passing that along – have a great Christmas and New Year!

I would add that Excel is an invaluable tool for programmers to use when breaking out estimates. I go for the “Joel Sheet” at Joel on Software which i am now SEEING IS OUT OF DATE! BWAH!

I would also add give a generous helping of empathy goes a long way in the situations where the expected estimate does not meet the reality.

Have some other thoughts but need to catch a train.

If I may offer one more:

I am a big fan of using some kind of project management software. Using something like MS Project or Merlin. Any tool that allows you to level your resources (especially if you have a big team), and estimate the percentage of the workday you or your team will actually be able to spend working on a project, will aid a great deal in coming up with a decent time estimate. Most tools will allow you to factor in non-working days, meetings, etc… Plus, your clients, if shown the schedule, will appreciate how thoroughly you’ve planned their project.

My last project was pretty good size and was also the first one in which I really used project management software (had used it before, but only scratched the surface) and I’m happy to report, the project was delivered on the very day it was estimated to complete.