The Software Process and Measurement Cast (SPaMCAST) Five features an interview with Ian Brown of Booz Allen Hamilton covering the topic of estimation. Project estimation (whether software, hardware, network or research projects) is one the hardest areas organizations face when planning or executing work. Ian provides serious advice for implementing an estimation program. SPaMCAST Five includes a guest essay by Paul Laberge of CCH Canada on fitting PPQA audit to an organization to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. If you have an idea for a guest essay contact Tom Cagley at [email protected], the Software Process and Measurement Cast welcomes guest essays! Finally this cast includes comments on Putts Law. Putts Law states that - those that understand do not manage and those that manage do not understand. I am worried about the thought of using project managers wholesale without technical competency. Does this casue a competency inversion? What are the attributes of a perfect project manager? Send your comment to [email protected]. Next Cast: The next cast continues the estimation theme arc on estimation with an interview with Michael Bragen of Software Productivity Research, LLC. The essay for the cast is tentatively titled, An Estimate is Just A Number, Right?