Wideband Delphi

5 minutes 5 Questions

The Wideband Delphi method is a structured, iterative group estimation technique that aims to produce accurate and unbiased estimates for the effort required to complete tasks. Team members anonymously estimate story sizes in several rounds, with feedback and discussion between each round. As the group shares knowledge and narrows the range of estimates, the resulting consensus tends to be more accurate than individual estimates. The method highlights differing perspectives and leverages group wisdom. It focuses on overcoming estimation biases, encourages input from all team members, and fosters better understanding of requirements by identifying risks and unidentified activities.

Guide to Wideband Delphi

Why it is important:
Wideband Delphi is important because it improves estimation accuracy by leveraging the collective wisdom of the team. It mitigates the risk of under or over-estimation, which are common challenges in project management, particularly in agile environments.

What it is:
Wideband Delphi is an estimation technique used in project management. It is an expert judgement method that includes a team of experts that make estimates anonymously. It is based on the Delphi estimation Technique but uses a wider communication band for feedback.

How it works:
Wideband Delphi works by iterating estimation sessions. The team of experts provide estimates, and then they discuss the estimates. Any variations in estimates are studied and adjusted in further rounds until a consensus is reached or the variations are reasonably minimal.

Exam Tips on Answering Questions on Wideband Delphi:
When answering questions about Wideband Delphi in an exam, it is important to highlight that the estimates are done anonymously to prevent influence, mention the iterative nature of the process until consensus and always clarify that it is a form of expert judgement.

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Question 1

In the Wideband Delphi estimation process, what is the goal of providing anonymous estimates?

To strictly maintain the confidentiality of chosen experts To keep the project details secret from the stakeholders To reduce the amount of paperwork for estimation To prevent biases and encourage independent thinking To avoid holding meetings for estimation To prevent overestimation or underestimation

Correct Answer: To prevent biases and encourage independent thinking

The primary purpose of anonymous estimates in the Wideband Delphi process is to prevent biases and promote independent thinking. By keeping the estimates anonymous, experts can give their honest and unbiased opinions without being influenced by others.

Question 2

During the Wideband Delphi estimation process, each expert revises their estimation in multiple rounds. Which of these describes the expected outcome of these rounds?

New experts should be added to the estimation process Estimates should remain the same The highest and lowest estimates should be discarded Estimates should become more divergent A single expert's estimate should be adopted by the group Estimates should converge towards consensus

Correct Answer: Estimates should converge towards consensus

Using the Wideband Delphi method, each expert revises their estimation based on feedback and discussion. As a result, estimates typically converge towards consensus, meaning the range of estimates narrows and experts come to a shared understanding of the task complexities.

Question 3

Your team is using the Wideband Delphi method for estimation. Which of the following is the most important activity during the estimation process?

Gathering team consensus on the final estimate Having a single executive decision-maker Iterative rounds of anonymous estimation A detailed project plan with task assignments Creating detailed requirement specifications Establishing tight deadlines for completion

Correct Answer: Iterative rounds of anonymous estimation

The Wideband Delphi method primarily relies on iterative rounds of anonymous estimation. Iterative rounds improve the accuracy of the estimates by allowing experts to refine their assumptions based on feedback and discussion after reviewing the range of estimates from their peers.

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