Software Cost Is Easy To Underestimate

The reason we often end up working ridiculous hours doing HeroicProgramming is because SoftwareCostIsEasyToUnderestimate. Why am I always asked by people to write a "little app" that should only take a week? Why am I always being told by project managers that IfYouThinkYouCanAndYouTryVeryHard it will get done, usually at the end?

Software is really expensive. It costs a lot. This is frustrating to me that project after project stuff is promised that is really hard to deliver properly with the time allocated.

-- DustinAleksiuk

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There are psychological considerations why underestimate is much more prevelant than overestimate. And these apply to all projects.

• you want to have approval for the project
• the sponsor(or management) want to demonstrate his prudence in budget management
• it helps to motivate people, work expands to fill up resources allocated
• maintain interest in stakeholders (see QuickWins)

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I was just meditating on the CostOfLineOfCode. Maybe that little 1000 line app is more expensive than we think?