when asked to estimate, i ask if the biz if they can also give me an estimate for meetings, UAT, changes, hiring resources, unscheduled downtime and scheduled d

when asked to estimate, i ask if the biz if they can also give me an estimate for meetings, UAT, changes, hiring resources, unscheduled downtime and scheduled downtime and historic data comparing previous project estimates to actuality. Its the only way to get closer to accurate. The developers estimates generally are best case scenarios without any external or motivational factors included.