Event - Database Design

[jack]

Friend: Also, while you're being frank, I think your estimate was pretty pessimistic. [Two days/form + design + implementation] Don't kid yourself.
Me: I really don't mean to be cheating you. And don't call me Frank!
Friend: Seriously, I'm no database wiz, but I can do a form in an hour. Two full days is...
Me: Is it necessary that the address field look up to check it's a valid address?
Friend: Yes.
Me: Is it necessary for the most basic version that price is calculated dynamically?
Friend: Yeah.
Me: [10 other similar questions]
Me: Which of these do you think will take less than an hour? Seriously?
Friend: Umm.
Me: See?
Friend: Yes.
Me: If you want, you can ring accenture and ask what it'd cost for an average consultant to design this.
Friend: Ah.
Me: Sorry, I don't mean to scotch your little hopes. But it really does take a lot longer than your think.
Friend: Truce. No more patronising or sarcasm from either of us.
Me: Deal.

I just feel good that I did persuade someone to take me seriously, and not laugh when I say how long something will take: generally before no-one's believed me, and the job has been cut or cancelled half way through, not at the start, and it's been luck if the useful half has been done first :)