Skip to content

Reference Class and Parametric Estimating for Project Managers

Optimistic bottom up estimates are a major reason projects overrun, because teams underestimate what they cannot yet see. This course teaches reference class and parametric estimating, using data from past projects to produce more honest cost and time forecasts. It draws on African capital and infrastructure project data to ground the techniques.

Ready to book? Secure your place on this programme.

Register for this course

What you will be able to do

  • Explain why bottom up estimates tend to be optimistic.
  • Build reference classes from comparable past projects.
  • Apply reference class forecasting to adjust base estimates.
  • Develop parametric estimates using cost and time drivers.
  • Combine methods to cross check and strengthen estimates.
  • Present estimate ranges and assumptions to decision makers.

Course outline

  1. 01Why estimates go wrong
  2. 02Estimating methods compared
  3. 03Building reference classes
  4. 04Reference class forecasting in practice
  5. 05Parametric estimating and drivers
  6. 06Cross checking and combining methods
  7. 07Estimate ranges and assumptions
  8. 08Presenting estimates to decision makers

Who should attend

Project managers, estimators, cost engineers and planners who prepare or review cost and schedule estimates for projects and business cases.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendarRegister
15 to 16 Oct 2026Johannesburg2R10,000Register
19 to 20 Oct 2026Cape Town2R10,000Register
20 to 21 Oct 2026Durban2R10,000Register
21 to 22 Oct 2026Pretoria2R10,000Register
22 to 23 Oct 2026Windhoek2US$1,100Register
26 to 27 Oct 2026Gaborone2US$1,100Register
27 to 28 Oct 2026Maseru2US$1,100Register
28 to 29 Oct 2026Mbabane2US$1,100Register
29 to 30 Oct 2026Lusaka2US$1,100Register
2 to 3 Nov 2026Harare2US$1,100Register
3 to 4 Nov 2026Lilongwe2US$1,100Register
4 to 5 Nov 2026Blantyre2US$1,100Register
5 to 6 Nov 2026Mozambique2US$1,100Register
9 to 10 Nov 2026Nairobi2US$1,100Register
10 to 11 Nov 2026Dar es Salaam2US$1,100Register
11 to 12 Nov 2026Kigali2US$1,100Register
12 to 13 Nov 2026Kampala2US$1,100Register
16 to 17 Nov 2026Accra2US$1,100Register
17 to 18 Nov 2026Lagos2US$1,100Register
18 to 19 Nov 2026Cairo2US$1,100Register
19 to 20 Nov 2026Mauritius2US$1,100Register
23 to 24 Nov 2026Dubai2US$1,100Register
24 to 25 Nov 2026Online2US$900Register

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

Related courses in Project Management

Project Management

Project Risk and Stakeholder Management

Most projects fail for reasons that were visible early and for people reasons that were never managed.

Next session
19 to 21 Oct 2026
Venue
Johannesburg
3 day programme
FromR13,000
See all Project Management courses