In a search for tools that could be used in the process of estimating costs and developing budgets for projects I ran across several that I thought were both interesting and useful.
The first on my short list is the book by Michael Greer, ID Project Manager; Tools and Techniques for Instructional Designers and Developers (Greer, 1992) This book is available for preview through Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=QUiGzp0PPyMC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=estimating+help+for+ID+projects&source=bl&ots=5Eq-gYNpOi&sig=ZFQMt88_3DlpQoufjJ-MTRqnJQY&hl=en&ei=hPFITcP1GMK88gap9YXsDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=estimating%20help%20for%20ID%20projects&f=false.
The portions that are available to be previewed offer a lot of information and useful tools. There are many templates that give structure for project scope, estimating materials and checklist for starting a project. I like that this source provides good documentation in addition to the forms that can be used. I thought it was easily read and provided clear background information and well written directions. I especially liked the worksheet for estimating project costs that starts on page forty-nine. I appreciated the detail and the forms that were provided.
Another tool or information source I liked was from the Big Dog’s and Little Dog’s Performance Juxtaposition website that can be viewed at http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/costs.html. This web page has some good tools and guides compiled by Donald Clark. He has put together some easy to get at lists and tables of information that aid in making estimations for projects. There is a good list of ratios for help in estimating development hours. I especially like the table from the USMC that shows estimates of the percentage of time to allow for development of interactive Multimedia Instruction in various categories within the project. This would be a great gauge to help guard against getting bogged down in any one area of the project when planning.
Reference
Greer, M. (1992). ID Project Manager; Tools and Techniques for Instructional Designers and Developers. Educational Technologies Publications; Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Google Books. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=QUiGzp0PPyMC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=estimating+help+for+ID+projects&source=bl&ots=5Eq-gYNpOi&sig=ZFQMt88_3DlpQoufjJ-MTRqnJQY&hl=en&ei=hPFITcP1GMK88gap9YXsDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=estimating%20help%20for%20ID%20projects&f=false.
Clark, D. (1995). Big Dog’s and Little Dog’s Performance Juxtaposition website. Retrieved from http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/costs.html.
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