Three Point Estimate for More Balanced Planning
Complex projects need more than a single guess. Doofer’s three point estimate method helps you forecast with confidence by considering a full range of possible outcomes.
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How the 3 Point Estimate Works in Doofer
The three point estimate formula is designed to calculate a more accurate time prediction by using three inputs:
- Optimistic (O) – The best-case scenario
- Most Likely (M) – The expected time based on experience
- Pessimistic (P) – The worst-case outcome
Doofer then applies the 3 point estimate formula: (O + 4M + P) / 6
This gives you a weighted average that better reflects uncertainty, risk, and real-world variability.
Why Use the Three Point Estimate in Project Planning
- Provides more realistic timelines
- Reduces risk of over-promising
- Encourages teams to think through best/worst outcomes
- Ideal for IT tasks, feature planning, and product sprints
Apply the Formula Easily in Your Estimates
Doofer’s estimation template lets you input all three values directly in the table. It does the math for you and updates total time, cost, and margin instantly.
Use the 3 Point Estimate with Cost and Role Data
Time estimates aren’t everything. Doofer connects your three point estimate to the assigned roles, billing rates, and internal costs — so you see the full picture right away.
Compare with Other Estimation Templates
Need to test other methods? Create a new version using the same project scope but with a different approach, like Min-Max or Point Estimation. Compare them side by side and decide what fits best.
🤔 FAQ
Do you have any other question? Email us
It’s a method that uses three time values (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic) to create a balanced average. It helps reduce guesswork in time forecasting.
The formula is (O + 4M + P) / 6 — a weighted average used to predict realistic durations. Doofer automates this as you enter your task data.
Yes. You can export the final estimates as PDFs or CSVs to share with clients or upload to task platforms like Jira or ClickUp.
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