This article discusses how  projects can now be estimated and bid with reasonable precision, allowing for a fact-based position in negotiations.

“That phrase, time boxing, has a fine manly ring to it,” the vice president said, grinning broadly. “I like it.”

“What does it mean to you,” we inquired.

“First you box in the development time you allow a project to have,” he answered.

“No more shilly-shallying around. You draw a box on the time line, like this (Figure 1). The project people know they have to deliver at the end of the box.”

What is the minimum of control that will maintain the process? Peter F. Drucker 1