Re: Striving To Increase The Page Count Was: Estimation of the number of pages...

[TechComm Dood <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>]

> I never include page counts in our project estimates.  We base ours on
> topics covered, and let the pages fall where they may.  We don't even
> bother to count them unless we have to fill out the pagination sheets for
> a print vendor.  The only times I recall number of pages enteirng into
> one of my project estimates was when there was a *limit* on the number
> of pages that could be in the documents, based on allowable volume in
> the product packaging or weight limitations.

I'm right there with you, Gene. Page count means so very little, but
topic coverage speaks volumes. I never use page counts for anything
other than printing, because for anything other than printing, page
count is irrelevant!

A 400 page book that covers only 40% of the number of topics your
customers need, but in very accurate detail, is a pretty poor excuse
for a book. A 150 page book that covers 75% of topics your customers
need, perhaps in not as bulletproof a detail, is better. Of course, a
book of any length that covers 100% of what customers need to know in
the right amount of detail is best. ;-)

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