estimai

Estimai is a fictional open-source platform and data interchange format designed to standardize estimation across disciplines. It provides a structured schema for creating, sharing, and validating numerical estimates, along with the underlying assumptions and confidence levels. The name estimai is derived from the English word estimate, adapted for a neutral, multilingual setting.

Origin and development: The concept emerged in 2020 as a collaborative project among data scientists and project managers seeking a common language for estimates. A beta version appeared in 2021, followed by community-driven improvements and the formal Estimai Specification in 2022. The project is described as being maintained by the Estimai Consortium, a non-profit organization in this fictional context.

Format and schema: An Estimai file encodes an estimate as a numeric value with optional lower and upper bounds, a probability distribution, and a set of assumptions. Metadata includes author, date, provenance, and version. The schema supports units, currencies, and time horizons, enabling cross-domain comparability.

Usage and applications: Estimai is used in budgeting, risk assessment, project planning, and forecasting. Teams use it to document uncertainty, track revisions over time, and share estimates with stakeholders in a transparent way.

Reception and impact: Proponents cite improved communication, auditability, and decision-making. Critics note potential rigidity of schemas and the need for training to avoid misinterpretation of distributions. See also: Estimation, Forecasting, Project management, Uncertainty quantification.