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estimating-detail.md

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 # Estimating Detail
 
-In [[construction-estimating]], the acceptable level of detail of an estimate is a contentious subject.
+The acceptable level of detail of an [[construction-estimating|estimate]] is a contentious subject.
 What's worse, estimators often disagree on what makes an estimate more detailed than another.
-With our [[risk-oriented-estimating]] approach,
-detail is essentially the inverse of epistemic [[uncertainty]].
 
-That said, the correct answer is this.
+The commonly repeated answer is this:
 
 > As detailed as possible, given required turnaround and available estimating resources.
 
-%%
-TODO: This analysis is not much better than the common belief.
-A commonality of both is the implication that more time ought to be preferred,
+This analysis is flawed
+because it implies more time ought to be preferred,
 when the reality is that when considering larger organizational factors (strategy),
 ideal estimate certainty is likely far lower than most expect.
 
 The _correct_ correct answer involves optimizing for these factors:
 * value of increased bid certainty
 * value of increased estimate volume
-%%
 
 An estimate's detail is irrelevant to its quality.
-A less detailed estimate is a more [[risk]]y bid,
+A less detailed estimate is a more [[risk|risky]] bid,
 but **it is not the role of the estimator to determine acceptable risk**.
 
 ## Experiment