# 2026-01-29 10:07:37

#topic/estimating

A peer's senior, expressing frustration,
told them that it if they disagree with an instruction,
they must have a reason,
implying that the estimator's previous complaints,
which were based on conflicting direction
received from other estimators and seniors,
were made _without_ reason.

See [[realism-vs-instrumentalism]].

The peer's senior is looking for a _realist_ objection to his methods,
which an estimator without field experience (which the senior has)
would be unlikely to be able to provide.
Their dismissal of legitimate _instrumental_ complaints
(misplaced effort, and deviation from more widely accepted standards)
speaks to a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of estimating.