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Initial estimate underquoted by 40%

Stima iniziale sottovalutata del 40% · Project Management · Advanced

The case

You inherited a project already sold to the client at 100 person-days. Redoing a bottom-up estimate with the team, 140 real person-days emerge: the commercial estimate was 40% optimistic. The contract is fixed-price, the margin is now negative and the promised delivery is two months away. The internal sponsor fears losing the client. How do you tackle the gap between sold estimate and reality?

Hai ereditato un progetto già venduto al cliente a 100 giorni-uomo. Rifacendo la stima bottom-up con il team, emergono 140 giorni-uomo reali: la stima commerciale era ottimistica del 40%. Il contratto è a corpo, il margine ora è negativo e la consegna promessa è tra due mesi. Lo sponsor interno teme di perdere il cliente. Come affronti il gap tra stima venduta e realtà?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the "Initial estimate underquoted by 40%" problem-solving case on Grace?

It is a advanced-level Project Management case based on a real workplace situation. You read the problem, write how you would solve it in free text, and Grace's AI judges whether your solution actually works — or what is still uncovered.

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Is there one correct answer to "Initial estimate underquoted by 40%"?

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