Most candidates are scared and overwhelmed by estimation prompts. You don’t need to be. This is more about logic than numbers. Remember these quick tips and you will be fine:
First determine your key variables
You only need 2 to 3 variables at most
Share your high-level equation before moving forward
Sharing your logic for assumptions and framework is key
A clear breakdown of your methodology is most important
Common Mistakes:
Problems with Ambiguity: Uncomfortable making an estimate with limited information
Not Sense Checking: Not double-checking surprisingly large or small numbers
Diving too Deep: Spending too much time on a part of the estimate that won’t really affect the final number significantly
Too Much Too Soon: Jumping into the metric details too quickly
Candidates who define the behavior change early are more likely to pick a good metric on the first try.
Looking for help mastering the estimation question, reach out to me for a coaching session.
