An "approximate calculation" is the dictionary definition of an estimate. Nearly everyone expresses interest in getting better at estimating, but what do they really mean, and is what they mean reasonable? I want to discuss estimation by focusing on several key words: target, estimate, approximation, expectation, and uncertainty.

During a recent class of executive MBA students in which we looked at a bunch of successful and unsuccessful technology implementation projects, someone asked why so many large-scale enterprise software projects fail. Since the class was full of student-executives from over 30 companies, we were able to explore the question with the benefit of multiple, real-world perspectives.

During a recent class of executive MBA students in which we looked at a bunch of successful and unsuccessful technology implementation projects, someone asked why so many large-scale enterprise software projects fail. Since the class was full of student-executives from over 30 companies, we were able to explore the question with the benefit of multiple, real-world perspectives.

During a recent class of executive MBA students in which we looked at a bunch of successful and unsuccessful technology implementation projects, someone asked why so many large-scale enterprise software projects fail. Since the class was full of student-executives from over 30 companies, we were able to explore the question with the benefit of multiple, real-world perspectives.

In nature and in human affairs, there are two kinds of animals: the hunters and the hunted. In lower animals, the distinction is species-dependent, but among humans, it is a function of attitude. As a project manager, which are you?