2009 edition of my "State of the IT Union" survey

Jon Erickson's blog 

http://www.ambysoft.com/surveys/stateOfITUnion200907.html

125 participants

Cost estimates:

 21% no initial cost estimates
 if they do, then on average estimates are off by +/- 11%
 39% do not track cost
 if they do, then on average they stay within +/- 19%

"Techniques"

    * 72% indicated that their project teams will extend the schedule so as to deliver on the promised scope
    * 63% descope towards the end of the project to meet the deadline
    * 39% avoid "scope creep" whenever possible via a "change management" process
    * 34% will ask for extra funds
    * 32% have a flexible scope from the beginning of the project
    * 26% have a flexible schedule from the beginning of the project
    * 18% pad the budget
    * 18% change the original schedule to reflect the actual results
    * 13% have a flexible budget from the beginning of the project
    * 12% take a stage-gate approach to funding
    * 10% change the original estimate to reflect the actual results