RE: Justification for hiring and realistic deadline - pls help.

[Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au>]

There are several metrics that might make sense to your management, but 
it would be a lot of work to prepare figures for all of them in 
anticipation.

I think the simplest approach to take initially is to compare the 
workload two years ago and now. For example: "Back then we had six 
developers and one product and did two major releases, and this year we 
have eleven developers, three products and plan five major releases. The 
company took on the new programmers and testers to handle the increased 
workload, and the documentation workload has also increased in proportion."

If they come back with a request for a particular metric (such as pages 
per day or 'industry standard') at least you know how to couch the 
request in specific terms.


If they agree in principle that the work is too much for one person, you 
could suggest they take on a TW for a few months on a 'contract to hire' 
basis. That way you can see the new person in action before you commit 
to hiring them long term.

Stuart
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