[jtolmar]

Most time estimates aren't necessary in the first place and it's aggravating that we need so many of them. Yes it's mostly a stick to beat devs with.

But since folks reading this will probably need to make estimates anyway, this tends to be accurate: Estimate it'll take as long as the most recent similar thing you've done (real time, not heads down time). Resist the urge to trim out parts of the previous task that aren't related (you'll have new yak shaving) or related to mistakes you've learned not to make (you'll make new ones). If it's really different from anything previous, look for a time you had to learn something and implement a new system based on what you learned (you're allowed to be meta).

[mdpopescu]

There's a problem with this. See JB Rainsberger's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSes_PexXcA