Why is it so important to estimate the workload of your team when developing a game?

Disclaimer: This DevLog is intended to help anyone, who is in a similar situation we are in at the moment. Everyone has to make their own decisions. This merely is our own honest view and opinion, based on our experience. We would love to hear from you, what you think about it all. We wish you all the success and fun you deserve with the development and release of your game! eXplore Studio

Many developers do not bother with estimating their workload, because it takes time and effort, and in most cases, estimates turn out to be incorrect anyway. This is true. All estimates will probably be false. Too many factors have an influence on the time it takes us to do anything really, even depending on multiple human performance influencing factors present on a given day, which will vary from one day to the next. But if estimates are good enough to give us helpful indications for decision making, they are precious.

So, estimating our workload when developing a game is crucial for several reasons: First, knowing how much time and effort each task will take, even if not 100% accurate, helps in allocating resources effectively and scheduling realistically. It helps in setting more achievable milestones and deadlines, ensuring that the project stays on track. Second, by understanding the scope of work, we can identify potential bottlenecks and challenges much earlier, which helps in proactively mitigating risks and avoiding costly delays. Third, Quality Assurance (QA) is greatly enhanced, since appropriate estimates are more likely to ensure that sufficient time is available for testing and other QA purposes. Fourth, clear estimates will help in managing expectations with stakeholders, including investors, publishers, and team members. It provides a transparent view of the development or project progress and potential obstacles or impediments that can be addressed appropriately. Fifth, estimating workload helps in creating a detailed budget, which is vital for securing funding and managing expenses throughout the development process. As a result of the above points, we can ensure a smoother development process, which should be leading to a successful and timely game launch.

However, most importantly, estimating our workload is essential for protecting our team in several ways: Accurate workload estimates help in distributing tasks evenly among team members, ensuring no one is overburdened. This balance is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and preventing burnout. Also, when team members have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and deadlines, it reduces stress and anxiety. This clarity helps in maintaining high morale and job satisfaction. Proper estimation helps with assigning work more fairly, based on each team member’s availability and competence with respect to the necessary work. This fairness fosters a positive work environment and promotes teamwork. Setting realistic goals and timelines, we can help our team stay focused and productive, because unrealistic expectations can lead to rushed work, mistakes, and lower quality of work outputs. Furthermore, when workloads are well-managed, team members can learn and grow without feeling overwhelmed and overly stressed. This balance allows for ongoing skill development and career progression. Finally, clear workload estimates improve communication within the team in general. Everyone knows what to expect and can plan their work accordingly, leading to better collaboration and fewer misunderstandings. 

In summary, by carefully estimating workloads, we create a supportive environment where each team member can thrive. All the above will positively contribute to making our game better and building a stronger, and highly motivated team, in which everyone is more likely to enjoy their work.