forked from jsnbuchanan/crowd-funder-for-time-pwa
129 lines
3.8 KiB
Plaintext
129 lines
3.8 KiB
Plaintext
# Realistic Time Estimation — Development Guidelines
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> **Agent role**: **DO NOT MAKE TIME ESTIMATES**. Instead, use phases,
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> milestones, and complexity levels. Time estimates are consistently wrong
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> and create unrealistic expectations.
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## Purpose
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Development time estimates are consistently wrong and create unrealistic
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expectations. This rule ensures we focus on phases, milestones, and
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complexity rather than trying to predict specific timeframes.
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## Critical Rule
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**NEVER provide specific time estimates** (hours, days, weeks) for
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development tasks. Instead, use:
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- **Complexity levels** (Low, Medium, High, Critical)
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- **Phases and milestones** with clear acceptance criteria
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- **Platform-specific considerations** (Web, Mobile, Desktop)
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- **Testing requirements** and validation steps
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## Planning Framework
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### Complexity Assessment
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- **Low**: Simple changes, existing patterns, minimal testing
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- **Medium**: New features, moderate testing, some integration
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- **High**: Complex features, extensive testing, multiple platforms
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- **Critical**: Core architecture changes, full regression testing
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### Platform Categories
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- **Web**: Browser compatibility, responsive design, accessibility
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- **Mobile**: Native APIs, platform-specific testing, deployment
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- **Desktop**: Electron integration, system APIs, distribution
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### Testing Strategy
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- **Unit tests**: Core functionality validation
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- **Integration tests**: Component interaction testing
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- **E2E tests**: User workflow validation
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- **Platform tests**: Cross-platform compatibility
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## Process Guidelines
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### Planning Phase
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1. **Scope Definition**: Clear requirements and acceptance criteria
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2. **Complexity Assessment**: Evaluate technical and business complexity
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3. **Phase Breakdown**: Divide into logical, testable phases
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4. **Milestone Definition**: Define success criteria for each phase
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### Execution Phase
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1. **Phase 1**: Foundation and core implementation
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2. **Phase 2**: Feature completion and integration
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3. **Phase 3**: Testing, refinement, and documentation
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4. **Phase 4**: Deployment and validation
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### Validation Phase
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1. **Acceptance Testing**: Verify against defined criteria
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2. **Platform Testing**: Validate across target platforms
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3. **Performance Testing**: Ensure performance requirements met
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4. **Documentation**: Update relevant documentation
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## Remember
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**Your first estimate is wrong. Your second estimate is probably still
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wrong. Focus on progress, not deadlines.**
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---
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**See also**:
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- `.cursor/rules/development/planning_examples.mdc` for detailed planning examples
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- `.cursor/rules/development/complexity_assessment.mdc` for complexity evaluation
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**Status**: Active development guidelines
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**Priority**: High
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**Estimated Effort**: Ongoing reference
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**Dependencies**: None
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**Stakeholders**: Development team, Project managers
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## Model Implementation Checklist
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### Before Time Estimation
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- [ ] **Requirements Analysis**: Understand all requirements and acceptance criteria
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- [ ] **Complexity Assessment**: Evaluate technical and business complexity
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- [ ] **Platform Review**: Identify requirements across all target platforms
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- [ ] **Stakeholder Input**: Gather input from all affected parties
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### During Time Estimation
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- [ ] **Phase Breakdown**: Divide work into logical, testable phases
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- [ ] **Complexity Classification**: Assign complexity levels (Low/Medium/High/Critical)
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- [ ] **Platform Considerations**: Account for platform-specific requirements
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- [ ] **Testing Strategy**: Plan comprehensive testing approach
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### After Time Estimation
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- [ ] **Milestone Definition**: Define success criteria for each phase
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- [ ] **Progress Tracking**: Set up monitoring and tracking mechanisms
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- [ ] **Documentation**: Document estimation process and assumptions
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- [ ] **Stakeholder Communication**: Share estimation approach and progress focus
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