Planning realistically.
WHY ESTIMATES ARE FREQUENTLY WRONG
Hardware iterations take weeks each Certification takes months Field problems appear late Component availability is uncertain
WHAT TO ESTIMATE SEPARATELY
Hardware development and iteration Firmware Backend and applications Certification Pilot and field testing Manufacturing setup
WHAT TO ADD
Contingency for at least one unplanned hardware revision.
WHY
It is near-certain.
WHAT DRIVES THE CRITICAL PATH
Usually hardware and certification, not software.
WHAT TO START EARLIEST
Component ordering Certification planning Anything with a long lead time
WHAT TO PARALLELISE
Firmware and backend development against prototype hardware.
WHAT TO NOT PROMISE
Dates before the first hardware prototype exists.
WHAT TO COMMUNICATE
That field testing duration cannot be compressed.
WHY
Faults appearing after weeks require weeks to observe.
WHAT TO PLAN FOR IN THIS MARKET
Import and clearance time Customs and duties Currency movement between quotation and purchase
WHAT TO QUOTE
With validity periods, given rate volatility.
