We're so used to thinking about an estimate as a number, or a range of numbers, how many hours or days or weeks we think it'll take to do something, how many people we'll need to get it done in a certain amount of time.

It's an artifact, a deliverable.

The estimation process itself is important,too. A good estimate doesn't only communicate how long a task will take but the plan for getting the work done in the allotted time. There are other people who benefit from our estimates, such as project managers.

It may be frustrating to be asked for an estimate when you just want to roll up your sleeves and code, but it puts the entire project on a path toward success.