[soperj]

Estimating is a bit of a joke though. It's dependent on too many unknowns. Example: How long will it take you to get to China? It entirely depends on how you're getting there and where you're coming from. I can give you an estimate, but if the only known is that you're starting in North America, and you're going to be held to your estimate, you'd better give the estimated time it'll take to walk there. The real issue isn't the estimating, it's that once you give an estimate, you're held to it even if everything around it changes.

[pillefitz]

Then use ranges instead, problem solved

[gherkinnn]

I can get to China in the range of 12h and 6 Months, not including hoops to get a visa. Happy?

[pillefitz]

Yes. This is a good indication that the problem is not well understood and needs further analysis.

[soperj]

I've been asked to provide estimates on something in hours, and it had no requirements. They'd use this for planning purposes. It's a waste of time.

[namose]

That sounds like the estimation process was screwed up, not that all estimation is a waste of time

[soperj]

Estimations only has value if you're not going to be held to it, otherwise people start fudging numbers. As a rough guide it can be useful, but too often it's used for more than that.