diff --git a/skills/progressive-estimation/SKILL.md b/skills/progressive-estimation/SKILL.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..319a99bd --- /dev/null +++ b/skills/progressive-estimation/SKILL.md @@ -0,0 +1,84 @@ +--- +name: progressive-estimation +description: "Estimate AI-assisted and hybrid human+agent development work with research-backed PERT statistics and calibration feedback loops" +category: project-management +risk: safe +source: community +date_added: "2026-03-10" +author: Enreign +tags: + - estimation + - project-management + - pert + - sprint-planning + - ai-agents +tools: + - claude +--- + +# Progressive Estimation + +Estimate AI-assisted and hybrid human+agent development work using research-backed formulas with PERT statistics, confidence bands, and calibration feedback loops. + +## Overview + +Progressive Estimation adapts to your team's working mode — human-only, hybrid, or agent-first — applying the right velocity model and multipliers for each. It produces statistical estimates rather than gut feelings. + +## When to Use This Skill + +- Estimating development tasks where AI agents handle part of the work +- Sprint planning with hybrid human+agent teams +- Batch sizing a backlog (handles 5 or 500 issues) +- Staffing and capacity planning with agent multipliers +- Release date forecasting with confidence intervals + +## How It Works + +1. **Mode Detection** — Determines if the team works human-only, hybrid, or agent-first +2. **Task Classification** — Categorizes by size (XS–XL), complexity, and risk +3. **Formula Application** — Applies research-backed multipliers grounded in empirical studies +4. **PERT Calculation** — Produces expected values using three-point estimation +5. **Confidence Bands** — Generates P50, P75, P90 intervals +6. **Output Formatting** — Formats for Linear, JIRA, ClickUp, GitHub Issues, Monday, or GitLab +7. **Calibration** — Feeds back actuals to improve future estimates + +## Examples + +**Single task:** +> "Estimate building a REST API with authentication using Claude Code" + +**Batch mode:** +> "Estimate these 12 JIRA tickets for our next sprint" + +**With context:** +> "We have 3 developers using AI agents for ~60% of implementation. Estimate this feature." + +## Best Practices + +- Start with a single task to calibrate before moving to batch mode +- Feed back actual completion times to improve the calibration system +- Use "instant mode" for quick T-shirt sizing without full PERT analysis +- Be explicit about team composition and agent usage percentage + +## Common Pitfalls + +- **Problem:** Overconfident estimates + **Solution:** Use P75 or P90 for commitments, not P50 + +- **Problem:** Missing context + **Solution:** The skill asks clarifying questions — provide team size and agent usage + +- **Problem:** Stale calibration + **Solution:** Re-calibrate when team composition or tooling changes significantly + +## Related Skills + +- `@sprint-planning` - Sprint planning and backlog management +- `@project-management` - General project management workflows +- `@capacity-planning` - Team velocity and capacity planning + +## Additional Resources + +- [Source Repository](https://github.com/Enreign/progressive-estimation) +- [Installation Guide](https://github.com/Enreign/progressive-estimation/blob/main/INSTALLATION.md) +- [Research References](https://github.com/Enreign/progressive-estimation/tree/main/references)