This is interesting because one of the first project scoping lessons I learned was that engineers rarely give accurate time estimates. I would always go back to

This is interesting because one of the first project scoping lessons I learned was that engineers rarely give accurate time estimates. I would always go back to my boss having tacked on 20-30% of the time and make sure it’s clear that it’s an estimate and could take longer. Who wants a product that was rushed? If there’s not enough time, cut scope. As a Project/product/eng manager, it’s my job to buy time, hit the dates I set, and make my boss more $$$. If I’m saying stuff like “a month is too long; you have until Friday,” I screwed something up or got screwed by someone else. Regardless, the engineers should leave because it’ll keep happening.