Are estimates based on historical data or SMEs better?
by: Tom Cagley
The discussion of whether estimates based on historical data are better than estimates from subject matter experts (SME) is a difficult question. We suggest that as SMEs are actually repositories of historical data (their memory – as good or bad as that might be – assuming that they are ever informed about actuals) the question is a false dichotomy. Rather the question is more a reflection of whether a tool based estimate is better than a SME/expert based estimate.