In hardware design, there is more up-front time making prototypes and running simulations, so that engineers have clearer ideas about what they will build and h

In hardware design, there is more up-front time making prototypes and running simulations, so that engineers have clearer ideas about what they will build and how they will solve problems. We don't do the same with software, though I would argue that we should. Based on my experience, the more time you spend coming up with application prototypes that closley resemble final products, more accurate estimates you will get from engineers.