Forget about estimation!

Presentation Design Guide

Document information

Author

Jesper Boeg

Company

Creuna

Document type Presentation Slides
Language English
Format | PDF
Size 6.96 MB

Summary

I.PowerPoint Presentation Design Best Practices

This guide provides essential tips for creating effective PowerPoint presentations, focusing on visual elements and design. It emphasizes choosing appealing presentation layouts through right-clicking and selecting 'Layout'. The optimal color scheme uses five basic colors—yellow, blue, red, green, and gray—with a preference for darker saturations. Instructions are given for changing background colors and inserting client logos and background images (recommended size: 1500x844 px or 2000x1126 px for better quality). The guide also details how to utilize drawing guides and pre-formatted bullet text using the increase/decrease indent buttons.

1. Layout Selection and Modification

The document repeatedly emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate PowerPoint layouts. It instructs users to right-click on a slide and choose 'Layout' to access various options. This process is crucial for organizing the presentation effectively and maintaining a consistent visual style. The ease of accessing and changing layouts is highlighted as a key feature for creating a polished and professional presentation. The ability to quickly switch between different layouts allows for flexibility in adapting to various content needs. This approach allows for easy customization and modification as the presentation develops or evolves.

2. Color Palette and Background Customization

The guide provides detailed instructions on customizing the presentation's color scheme and background. It recommends a palette of five basic colors: yellow, blue, red, green, and gray. While allowing flexibility in color saturation, it suggests using the second-to-darkest shades for optimal visual appeal. Step-by-step instructions are provided for changing the background color: click on the slide, choose 'Format Background,' select 'Fill,' choose the desired color, and click 'OK'. This ensures consistent branding and readability throughout the presentation. The emphasis on darker shades suggests a focus on visual clarity and professionalism.

3. Incorporating Images and Logos

The document explains how to incorporate client logos and background images. For logos, it details inserting them from a file via the 'Insert' menu, selecting the picture, and confirming. For background images, the user clicks on the picture icon, locates the image, and selects 'OK'. Recommended image sizes are provided: 1500x844 px or 2000x1126 px for higher quality. These instructions ensure proper image insertion and scaling. The inclusion of specific dimensions underscores the importance of maintaining image quality for a professional presentation. The step-by-step instructions provide clear guidance, even for users with limited PowerPoint experience.

4. Utilizing Drawing Guides and Pre formatted Text

The guide also demonstrates how to use PowerPoint's drawing guides and pre-formatted text features. To display drawing guides, right-click on a slide, select 'Grid and Guides...', and check 'Display drawing guides on screen'. To add pre-formatted bullet text, the instructions recommend using the increase/decrease indent buttons in the top menu. This enhances presentation organization and consistency. The inclusion of instructions for both drawing guides and pre-formatted text elements reflects the overall focus on creating well-structured and visually appealing presentations. The emphasis on using built-in PowerPoint features suggests a streamlined and efficient approach to design.

II.Agile Estimation Techniques Story Points and T Shirt Sizing

A significant portion focuses on agile estimation methodologies for project management. The document advocates using story points and T-shirt sizing (XS, S, M, L, XL) as comparative estimation tools. It stresses that estimates are distributions, not single numbers, and should not be used for blame. The process emphasizes comparative estimates during daily stand-up meetings and re-estimation only for drastically changed or broken user stories. Defects are assigned the same estimate (XS in this case) and only counted if found in functionality that has been in production for over a month. A key takeaway is that approximately 0.4% of time is spent on estimation.

1. Story Points and T Shirt Sizing Comparative Estimation

The core of this section revolves around using story points and T-shirt sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL) as comparative estimation methods within an agile framework. The document emphasizes that these methods are relative, not absolute, focusing on comparing the effort required for different tasks rather than precise time estimations. This approach acknowledges the inherent uncertainty in predicting task completion times. The use of comparative metrics helps the team focus on the relative size of tasks, facilitating better planning and prioritization without getting bogged down in precise, often inaccurate, time predictions. The simplicity of these methods is stressed, reducing the overhead associated with detailed estimation processes.

2. Estimation Process and Practices

The document outlines a specific process for estimation. New items are estimated during daily stand-up meetings, ensuring ongoing assessment and adjustment. All estimates are comparative, using story points as the unit of measure. User stories are re-estimated only if significantly altered or broken down into smaller tasks. A consistent approach is applied to defects, assigning them a standard estimate (XS in this example) only if discovered in functionality released more than a month prior. This structured process aims to minimize unnecessary re-estimation while maintaining accuracy. The emphasis on consistency and limited re-estimation suggests an aim for efficiency and avoiding unnecessary overhead.

3. Time Allocation for Estimation and its Significance

A key finding highlighted is that only roughly 0.4 percent (1/250) of the total time is dedicated to estimation. This emphasizes the efficiency and relative low cost of the proposed estimation methods. The minimal time investment suggests the methods are designed to be quick and practical, fitting smoothly into the existing workflow without causing significant delays. This point is crucial in justifying the chosen approach as a lean and effective strategy. The small time commitment underscores that accurate estimation is valuable, but over-investing time in precise estimation is counterproductive.

4. Addressing Challenges and Misconceptions in Agile Estimation

The document directly addresses potential challenges and misconceptions surrounding agile estimation. It warns against using estimates for blame or expecting perfect knowledge from the team. The emphasis is on viewing estimates as probability distributions, recognizing uncertainty, rather than single, fixed numbers. The '#NoEstimates' movement is briefly acknowledged, but considered to have a limited focus on predictability. The document promotes using Story Points and T-shirt sizes as effective tools for acknowledging and managing uncertainty inherent in agile development. This addresses the common pitfalls of over-reliance on precise numbers in agile projects, promoting a more realistic and flexible approach.

III.Creuna Company Overview and Services

The presentation also includes a brief overview of Creuna, describing it as a full-service digital agency with 340+ employees across 7 offices in the Nordic countries. Creuna's services encompass strategy, ideation & concepts, UX, branding & design, content production, system development, and insights & analytics. Specific office locations mentioned include Aarhus, Helsinki, Helsingborg, Oslo, and Gothenburg. Creuna's tagline is: 'Creuna helps clients build brands, grow business and harness change'.

1. Creuna Company Profile and Size

The provided text offers a concise overview of Creuna, describing it as a 'nyere bureautype' (modern agency type) with a digital origin and a full-service approach. Key figures highlight the company's size and scope: 340+ employees, 7 offices spanning all four Nordic countries, and positioning as the largest agency of its kind in the Nordics. Within Denmark alone, Creuna employs approximately 90 people. This demonstrates Creuna's significant presence in the Nordic region and its established position within the digital agency landscape. The description suggests a company with extensive experience and a broad range of services.

2. Creuna s Service Offerings and Expertise

Creuna's service offerings are presented, emphasizing a holistic approach to client needs. The company's expertise includes strategy, ideation and concept development, UX (User Experience), branding and design, content production, system development, and insights and analytics. This broad portfolio suggests a capacity to manage projects from initial strategy to final implementation and analysis. The diverse range of services signifies a one-stop-shop approach, likely appealing to clients requiring comprehensive digital solutions. Creuna's self-description as a 'full-service' agency reinforces this capacity.

3. Creuna s Geographic Presence and Accessibility

The presentation includes a list of Creuna's office locations, further illustrating the company's regional reach. The mentioned offices are in Aarhus, Helsinki, Helsingborg, Oslo, and Gothenburg. This geographical distribution indicates a significant presence across the Nordic countries, offering clients access to local expertise and support. The list of locations reinforces Creuna's claim of being a large, established agency with broad coverage of the Nordic market. The inclusion of specific locations suggests a commitment to serving clients in multiple regions.

4. Creuna s Mission and Value Proposition

Creuna's mission statement is implicitly conveyed: 'Creuna helps clients build brands, grow business and harness change.' This concise statement clearly articulates the company's value proposition, focusing on assisting clients in achieving brand growth and adapting to change. The emphasis on brand building, business growth, and change management suggests a forward-thinking approach that aligns with the needs of modern businesses. The statement serves as a memorable summary of Creuna's purpose and commitment to its clients.

IV.Predictability in Agile Development

The document touches on achieving predictability in agile projects. It highlights the importance of a consistent workflow, progressing from backlog specification, through sprint backlog, development, testing, demo, QA, and finally to production and acceptance. This process is visualized using a Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD). The document emphasizes that data-driven insights ('Data beats detail') and probabilistic forecasting are key to managing uncertainty in agile projects. The overall message promotes a shift from detailed estimations to understanding the probability distribution of outcomes.

1. Agile Workflow and Predictability

This section emphasizes achieving predictability in agile development by focusing on a structured workflow. The process is depicted as a linear progression: from Backlog to Specification, Sprint Ready, Sprint Backlog, Development, Testing, Demo, QA, Production, and finally, Acceptance. This sequential approach aims to enhance transparency and control, enabling better prediction of project outcomes. By visualizing the flow of work, potential bottlenecks or delays can be identified early, allowing for proactive adjustments. The clear stages promote better communication and accountability within the team.

2. Data Driven Insights and the Cumulative Flow Diagram CFD

The importance of data-driven insights is stressed, summarized by the phrase 'Data beats detail'. The use of a Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) is mentioned—a visual tool used to track the flow of work items through the different stages of the agile process. The CFD provides a clear picture of workflow efficiency and potential areas for improvement. The emphasis on data-driven decision-making reflects a focus on evidence-based practices, enabling a more objective assessment of progress and performance. Using a CFD allows for informed decisions and adjustments to ensure project success.

3. Probabilistic Forecasting and Managing Uncertainty

The section advocates for probabilistic forecasting to account for the inherent uncertainties in agile projects. Instead of relying on precise point estimates, the concept of a distribution of possible outcomes is introduced. This approach accepts uncertainty as a natural aspect of agile development, contrasting with deterministic methods. The use of probabilistic models enables a more realistic representation of project timelines, enabling better risk management and more informed decision-making. This sophisticated approach acknowledges the complexities of software development and fosters a more flexible and adaptive project management style.

4. Addressing Misconceptions about Estimation and Predictability

The concluding points address common misconceptions about estimation and predictability in agile. It cautions against using estimates for blame and emphasizes that estimates represent a distribution, not a single number. The '#NoEstimates' movement is mentioned, but criticized for its narrow focus on predictability. The document concludes by reiterating that story points and T-shirt sizes facilitate the acknowledgment of uncertainty, which is key for effective agile project management. By dispelling common misconceptions and promoting a more realistic understanding of estimation, the section helps to clarify best practices for agile teams.