This phrase is derived from the English slang word buggerance meaning something annoying, an untimely interruption or anything else that interferes with the smooth progress of work. It is used a lot in
project management where it became necessary to allow additional time for these unforeseen and unforeseeable events. Where it was not possible to allow this time against a particular element of the project, a non-specific increase in time was allowed to cover these eventualities, this became known as the Buggerance Factor.
The Buggerance Factor is there to cover the extra time needed to rectify those things, which never ever go wrong, but invariably do if you fail to allow for them. It is usually added because of a sixth sense on the part of the
project manager that something unexpected is going to happen and is the factor that allows for the law of
project management that states Parkinson, Murphy and Sod are alive and well and working on your project. See also Malcolm’s Law.
