In a relatable saga with a washing machine, the author learned valuable lessons about estimating effort through a series of unexpected challenges. Moving into a new house for the first time as the sole occupant, the simple task of installing a washing machine turned into a 4-hour ordeal. From drilling holes to buying new hoses, removing cap covers, and dealing with drainage obstruction errors, the experience highlighted the importance of accounting for unknown unknowns in both everyday tasks and software development projects. The analogy drawn between the surprises faced in installing a washing machine in a new house and the challenges in software development estimation is both clever and insightful.
https://www.cosive.com/blog/my-washing-machine-refreshed-my-thinking-on-software-effort-estimation