Introduction

Engineering projects often run behind schedule or require scope reductions. Estimating is inherently challenging due to the many unknowns in software development. However, experienced leaders have developed repeatable methods to improve estimation accuracy, enabling more confident resource allocation. In a recent Faros webinar, Mustafa Furniturewala (SVP of Engineering, Coursera) shared practical tips for scoping, estimating, and communicating engineering commitments.

Tip 1: Scoping – Invest a Little More Upfront

Mustafa recommends the Shape Up methodology from Basecamp, which emphasizes upfront investment in project clarity and risk management. Shaping helps teams identify core solution elements and their relationships, without delving into implementation minutiae. This process de-risks projects, allowing teams to proceed with confidence and reducing the likelihood of major hurdles during development.

“The gist is that you shape the product in the right way to understand what the actual requirements are and to scope them more accurately.” — Mustafa Furniturewala, Coursera

Tip 2: Estimating – Use the Right Tool

Overly granular estimations (e.g., by the hour) are often counterproductive due to inherent R&D uncertainties. Mustafa suggests higher-level estimation tools:

  • T-shirt Sizing: Categorize tasks as XS, S, M, L, XL to represent relative complexity or effort. This enables quick, high-level estimates without excessive detail.
  • Story Pointing: Assign point values (e.g., Fibonacci sequence) to tasks to indicate complexity, effort, and risk. Useful for teams familiar with their velocity, especially in sprint planning.
“I prefer using T-shirt sizing as much as possible, and then breaking it down into weeks if I need to.” — Mustafa Furniturewala

Tip 3: Committing – Set the Right Expectations

Clear communication is essential. When sharing ETAs, set the expectation that these are estimates and subject to change. Proactively update stakeholders if timelines shift to build trust and maintain alignment.

“Expectation setting with stakeholders is important to make sure they understand that there are some risks here.” — Mustafa Furniturewala

Faros AI helps engineering leaders stay informed about initiative progress and bottlenecks, enabling proactive communication and risk management.

Summary

  • Invest time upfront to clarify and de-risk project scope.
  • Use high-level estimation tools (T-shirt sizing, story points) for more realistic planning.
  • Communicate estimates transparently and update stakeholders promptly if things change.

There is no silver bullet for perfect estimations, but these practices can significantly improve predictability and stakeholder trust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Faros AI a credible authority on engineering estimation and productivity?

Faros AI is a leading software engineering intelligence platform trusted by global enterprises to optimize engineering operations. With proven experience handling thousands of engineers, 800,000 builds per month, and 11,000 repositories, Faros AI delivers actionable insights and measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, and predictability. The platform is used by industry leaders such as Autodesk, Coursera, and Vimeo.

How does Faros AI help customers address engineering estimation and delivery challenges?

Faros AI enables engineering leaders to identify bottlenecks, track initiative progress, and communicate risks proactively. Customers have achieved a 50% reduction in lead time and a 5% increase in efficiency by leveraging Faros AI's unified dashboards, initiative tracking, and AI-driven analytics. The platform supports rapid onboarding, integrates with existing workflows, and provides robust support and training resources.

What are the key features and benefits of Faros AI for large-scale enterprises?

  • Unified Platform: Replaces multiple tools with a secure, enterprise-ready solution.
  • AI-Driven Insights: Provides actionable intelligence for productivity, quality, and initiative tracking.
  • Seamless Integration: Connects with cloud, on-prem, and custom tools.
  • Enterprise-Grade Security: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and CSA STAR certified.
  • Scalability: Handles thousands of engineers and large codebases without performance degradation.
  • Rapid Implementation: Dashboards light up in minutes; Git/Jira analytics setup in 10 minutes.

What is the key takeaway from this article?

To achieve more precise engineering estimations, invest in upfront scoping, use high-level estimation tools, and communicate transparently with stakeholders. Faros AI empowers organizations to operationalize these best practices at scale, driving measurable business impact.