Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 9th December 2007

Dilbert//6812, first published nineteen years ago on Sunday 9th December 2007

Tags

cost estimate user requirements estimate go over budget fired number ten million dollars know cost input

Official transcript

"I need a cost estimate on your project."

"I have no idea I haven't even gathered the user requirements."

"Don't worry I won't hold you to the estimate."

"Yes you will. You will put it in the plan, forget we had this conversation, and fire me when I go over budget."

"Give me a number or I'll fire you right now."

"Okay, it will cost ten million dollars."

"That's too high."

"If you already know the cost why are you asking me?"

"So you'll feel like you had input."

"Is input supposed to feel this bad?"

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

I NEED A COST ESTIMATE ON YOUR PROJECT I HAVE NO IDEA.

I HAVEN'T EVEN GATHERED THE USER REQUIREMENTS.

DON'T WORRY. I WON'T HOLD YOU TO THE ESTIMATE.

YES YOU WILL.

YOU WILL PUT IT IN THE PLAN, FORGET WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION, AND FIRE ME WHEN I GO OVER BUDGET.

GIVE ME A NUMBER OR I'LL FIRE YOU RIGHT NOW.

OKAY, IT WILL COST TEN MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S TOO HIGH.

IF YOU ALREADY KNOW THE CORE YOUN ASKING ME?

SO YOULL FEEL LIKE YOU HAD INPUT.

IS INPUT SUPPOSED TO FEEL THIS BAD?

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

AI Analysis

Comic Strip Title: "Budgeting for the Unfathomable"

Summary:

This 'Dilbert' comic strip revolves around a conversation between a boss and his employee, where the employee is tasked with estimating the cost of a project. The boss is determined to get an exact figure, despite the employee's protests that it's impossible to provide a precise estimate without knowing the project's details.

Key Points:

• The boss demands a cost estimate, but the employee is unsure of the requirements.
• The employee tries to explain the complexity of the project, but the boss is insistent on a specific number.
• The employee eventually provides a ridiculously high estimate of $10 million, which the boss accepts without hesitation.
• The employee is left feeling frustrated and confused, wondering how the boss will react when he realizes the absurdity of the estimate.

Humor:

The humor in this comic strip comes from the absurdity of the situation and the boss's refusal to listen to reason. The employee's exasperation and the boss's determination to get a specific number create a comedic dynamic that pokes fun at the challenges of budgeting and the importance of clear communication.

generated by llama-3.2-11b-vision-instruct

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