I don't judge, and I recur to this solution as well, more often than I'd like to. But it doesn't only sounds bad.. it is bad indeed, for a number of reasons.
For instance, work usually expands to spend all the time available. Then, if you estimate a one-month task as four months, you will likely not win three months to spend on other tasks. You'll probably spend the whole four months on a one-month task instead.
Another issue: if you are competing for a project, over-estimates will translate in higher than necessary costs, and you may end up overpricing a project and missing the opportunity.
However, as I said, I don't judge and I also recur to that more often than not. On many Organizations, there aren't many other ways to deal with the matter. And that's why I say that the entire Organization looses: managers will have a good night of sleep after putting all the burden over your shoulders, but the losses are affecting every single stakeholder.
It's about time for them to start behaving a bit more responsibly.
Fair points, but I do not triple my estimations. Its more like added buffer for unforeseen risk. And I am careful to balance my team's well-being with the demands of business.
For instance, work usually expands to spend all the time available. Then, if you estimate a one-month task as four months, you will likely not win three months to spend on other tasks. You'll probably spend the whole four months on a one-month task instead.
Another issue: if you are competing for a project, over-estimates will translate in higher than necessary costs, and you may end up overpricing a project and missing the opportunity.
However, as I said, I don't judge and I also recur to that more often than not. On many Organizations, there aren't many other ways to deal with the matter. And that's why I say that the entire Organization looses: managers will have a good night of sleep after putting all the burden over your shoulders, but the losses are affecting every single stakeholder.
It's about time for them to start behaving a bit more responsibly.