Fermi Estimation FAQs

Question 1

What does the Fermi Estimation skill do?

Accepted Answer

This skill enables Claude to generate rapid 'back-of-the-envelope' estimates for complex problems where data is scarce. It uses a structured approach to break down large unknowns into smaller, estimable components to provide answers accurate within an order of magnitude.

Question 2

When should I use this skill in my workflow?

Accepted Answer

Use it during the early stages of strategic planning, such as estimating TAM/SAM for a new product, calculating infrastructure capacity like server needs, performing feasibility checks for project timelines, or sanity-checking complex financial models.

Question 3

How does this skill improve Claude's reasoning?

Accepted Answer

It provides Claude with a rigorous methodology for handling uncertainty, including anchoring techniques using physical constants, optimistic/pessimistic bounding, and triangulation—estimating the same quantity through different paths to ensure consistency.

Question 4

What are the core capabilities of the Fermi Estimation skill?

Accepted Answer

The skill provides structured decomposition strategies, sanity-checking against reality benchmarks, and 'order-of-magnitude' analysis. It helps avoid false precision by focusing on getting the scale right (e.g., $1M vs $10M) rather than decimal point accuracy.

Question 5

Can I use this for technical capacity planning?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is highly effective for infrastructure estimates, such as predicting DAU-to-server ratios, storage requirements, or bandwidth needs, allowing engineers to validate architectures before committing to detailed resource modeling.

Fermi Estimation

Fermi Estimation

About

Key Features

Use Cases

About

Key Features

Use Cases