Section 9 Presenting an Estimate and commercial engagement

Question 1 of 11

1. Question

How should an estimate be presented?

As a management summary, followed by the supporting detail
With full detail and associated graphics
As an Excel spreadsheet
Anonymously

Question 2 of 11

2. Question

How should assumptions be shown?

Always present the major assumptions before presenting the figures
Always present the estimate figures followed by the assumptions
Put the assumptions in an Appendix at the back
Put a link to the assumptions, so they can be held separately

Question 3 of 11

3. Question

What is a common issue in the use of an estimate?

Only the first number of a range is used
The percentage of testing effort is too high
The contingency amount runs out too quickly
Only the worst-case scenario is used

Question 4 of 11

4. Question

How do you deal with a request to reduce an estimate?

Organise a conversation to discuss assumptions and scope
Cut the level of contingency and raise the risk level
Organise a conversation to agree the percentage decrease needed
Refuse. This is an unfair request

Question 5 of 11

5. Question

What is the role of the estimator on the supplier side of a commercial bid?

Either to work as part of the bid team or to feed their estimate into the bid team
To analyse the risks for this work and estimate accordingly
To make sure additional contingency is added to cover the risks for contractual engagement
To work closely with the potential customer

Question 6 of 11

6. Question

What are elements of a commercial bid?

The estimate, the influencing factors, the appetite for risk
The estimate, the standard bid template for the organisation, the corporate risk algorithm
The estimate, the risk log, the legal team
The estimate, the risk log, the list of customer contact details

Question 7 of 11

7. Question

What is a primary responsibility for the estimator working on a commercial bid?

Ensuring the risk associated with the effort is clearly shown
Ensuring the estimate has a low risk level
Ensuring they are involved in all the meetings
Ensuring they will not be held personally accountable

Question 8 of 11

8. Question

What will an estimate pass through before reaching the final recipient?

A number of individuals
A number of skill groups
A number of departments
A number of conversations

Question 9 of 11

9. Question

What is recommended best practice for an agile estimate?

Make any contingency highly visible, the amount and the reason for the contingency
Create a generic pot of contingency big enough to cover all the risk
Always add 10% additional contingency
Avoid making specific allocation of contingency

Question 10 of 11

10. Question

Who shapes a commercial bid?

The bid team, since the final bid may not be based on the initial estimate
The estimator, since the estimate is the key component of a bid
The sales director, since that is the only person who fully understand this customer
The managing director, since they are ultimately responsible

Question 11 of 11

11. Question

Which statement is correct?

Unspecified contingency risks over-inflating estimates
In agile, it is not necessary to make contingency specific
Adding in contingency is a lazy option, done to avoid deeper thinking
The 10% rule provides valuable support for an estimate