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What is the difference between a method, approach, and technique?
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With regards to the question posed in the heading, it may sound like the cue for a joke, but the question is neither a joke nor is it rhetorical.
In terms of common usage, apparently the answer is ‘not a lot.’ The terms ‘Method’, ‘Approach’ and ‘Technique’ are used quite extensively, and largely it would seem, interchangeably.
This is true also when it comes to estimating. It may be helpful then if we can adopt a common meaning for each term, at least for the purposes of this series of working guides, in order to differentiate between the myriad of different ways that we can create an estimate.
The phrase ‘create an estimate’ is used here quite deliberately instead of ‘compile an estimate’ to invoke the sense that estimating is a creative process, rather than merely a calculation process.
A structured way of working is very important for an estimator in order to provide a robust audit trail
A word (or two) from the wise?
‘Method is much, technique is much, but inspiration is even more!
Benjamin N. Cardozo American Lawyer and Associate Supreme Court Justice 1870-1938
through the calculation stages of that creative process that others can follow, or reproduce, in order to validate or challenge the estimate produced.
However, we must not forget that there is that very important element of creativity that cannot be taught or even demonstrated. Ben Cardozo (1931) called this ‘inspiration’.
We might pick up on Cardozo’s profession and add the need to apply ‘judgement’; all estimators need a balance of method, technique, inspiration and judgement.
Unfortunately, inspiration and judgment, and things that come from personal experience and not necessarily from a book, so we will concentrate on the more tangible methods and techniques here.
Other related terms that we will also cover at this stage will be the related terms of ‘Process’ and ‘Procedure’, which incorporate or guide our methods and techniques.
Each organisation may choose how it expects estimates to be created based on a number of factors:
The level of definition available
The amount and quality of data available
The time allowed to create the estimate
The purpose for which the estimate is to be used
Each of these will influence the choice of Approach(s), Method(s), or Technique(s) to be adopted in line with the Estimating Process defined within that organization, but what do we mean when we use each of these terms?
The post What is the difference between a method, approach, and technique? appeared first on Buzz People.
What is the difference between a method, approach, and technique?
via WordPress ift.tt/30NJKaW
shutterstock.com
With regards to the question posed in the heading, it may sound like the cue for a joke, but the question is neither a joke nor is it rhetorical.
In terms of common usage, apparently the answer is ‘not a lot.’ The terms ‘Method’, ‘Approach’ and ‘Technique’ are used quite extensively, and largely it would seem, interchangeably.
This is true also when it comes to estimating. It may be helpful then if we can adopt a common meaning for each term, at least for the purposes of this series of working guides, in order to differentiate between the myriad of different ways that we can create an estimate.
The phrase ‘create an estimate’ is used here quite deliberately instead of ‘compile an estimate’ to invoke the sense that estimating is a creative process, rather than merely a calculation process.
A structured way of working is very important for an estimator in order to provide a robust audit trail
A word (or two) from the wise?
‘Method is much, technique is much, but inspiration is even more!
Benjamin N. Cardozo American Lawyer and Associate Supreme Court Justice 1870-1938
through the calculation stages of that creative process that others can follow, or reproduce, in order to validate or challenge the estimate produced.
However, we must not forget that there is that very important element of creativity that cannot be taught or even demonstrated. Ben Cardozo (1931) called this ‘inspiration’.
We might pick up on Cardozo’s profession and add the need to apply ‘judgement’; all estimators need a balance of method, technique, inspiration and judgement.
Unfortunately, inspiration and judgment, and things that come from personal experience and not necessarily from a book, so we will concentrate on the more tangible methods and techniques here.
Other related terms that we will also cover at this stage will be the related terms of ‘Process’ and ‘Procedure’, which incorporate or guide our methods and techniques.
Each organisation may choose how it expects estimates to be created based on a number of factors:
The level of definition available
The amount and quality of data available
The time allowed to create the estimate
The purpose for which the estimate is to be used
Each of these will influence the choice of Approach(s), Method(s), or Technique(s) to be adopted in line with the Estimating Process defined within that organization, but what do we mean when we use each of these terms?
The post What is the difference between a method, approach, and technique? appeared first on Buzz People.