AnalyzeAndMeasureTask

Performing an estimate requires information about the task. The input to estimation software is a measure, or a set of measures, about the software. The measure used may be lines of code, function points, screens, pages, or anything else you see fit in your context. Some are easier to measure than others, but expect accuracy to vary. It's always good to begin with a formal and strict method to get a feel of it, then adapt it to your needs.

Measuring a task requires to analyze it, which can be done by breaking it down to smaller pieces that are easier to grasp. The pieces can then be aggregated to form an overall estimate.

This procedure explains how to use TaskEstimation in the analysis of your task and breakdown of your task. Two interfaces are available for this. Which one to use depends on the type of task to be broken down and personal preferences.

• By subtask is a good way to break down very large tasks involving multiple systems. A high level design can emerge from it. Different tasks can then be created to analyze each part of it. The interface allows to break down the task in multiple subtasks, which can then be broken down again.
• The spacial editor is well suited for complex tasks for which the structure is not well understood at first. It allows to use different visual components to represent the problem and lay them out visually to highlight relationships.

The output of both techniques is very similar and can be used to produce an estimate afterwards.

Set-up

1. From the task list, first create a task using the next field next to the icon. A new row will be added to the list and more controls will be available.
2. Enter the editor of your choice using the icon for subtask editor or the icon for the spacial editor.

Procedure (Subtask)

The subtask editor looks like the task list and operates in a very similar fashion.

1. Create a new subtasks using the text field close to the icon. Subtasks will be added at the end of the list.
2. Use the text field at the end of the table heading line to create new metric columns. Values can then be added by editing the numeric values.
3. Use the breakdown icon to display controls to create sub-subtasks.
4. Tag your subtask using the tag line below the subtask name.

Procedure (Spacial)

Upon opening, the spacial editor is mostly clear. The interface is divided in 4 major areas:

• The workspace, which is the big, central area in the middle.
• The toolbar on the top left side, which contains icons to create widgets that can be used. See the widget list for detailed documentation.
• The taskbar at the bottom left corner, which is empty at first, but allows to navigate and edit without using the mouse.
• The navigation bar at the bottom right corner, which allows to change page and filter the displayed widgets.

1. Begin with the plain text icon in the toolbar. Upon clicking, the cursor will change to a crosshair to select the location of the top left corner.
2. Click in the workspace to create the plain text widget at the specified location. An edit box will appear. Feel free to type whatever you feel relevant about your task. It may be specifications, ideas, constraints, etc.
3. Ctrl-Enter or simply focusing elsewhere will close the editor and display the text.
4. Click on the heading or tags to change them.
5. Associate the appropriate measured values to each widget by adding metrics to it. To do so, use the text field close to the icon to add the metric. It will be added above the text field. Click the numeric value next to it to edit it.
6. When you feel a different view is required to display the concept you want to express, simply use the and icons in the navigation bar.

Close-out

1. Go back to the task list and tag your new task appropriately.

Also see

• Subtask Editor Reference
• Spacial Editor Reference
• List of Available Widgets
• Task Breakdown
• Function Point Counting

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