Estimating is one of the most difficult parts of our job. There’s natural tendency to treat estimates like promises. And in the software business, there are many reasons why a project might end up more expensive than estimated.

Here are a few things for customers to keep in mind when approaching a major software project. Understanding what features you need, knowing what you can afford, and being open to suggestions from an IT provider can make life a lot easier.

Know what you can afford

The key to getting the software you need and not breaking the bank is to be realistic about your budget.

It’s easy to put down on paper what you’d like to have. But in the software business, where you can’t touch or see what it is that you’re asking for, there’s a tendency to overshoot. Features sound simple enough to add, but each feature adds on cost and time.

Be open to change

Like a custom-built home, each feature that you add costs more money. If you’re flexible enough to know the difference between a must-have and a nice-to-have, you can get the most bang for your buck.

In some cases, features that you thought were necessary might prove too expensive. And in the long run, you may be able to get all that you need without those features. We work with our customers to decide what they need and what they could do without.

It’s important for our customers to be flexible. Otherwise, projects tend to go over budget and take longer to complete.

Don’t set an estimate in stone

Remember that ultimately an estimate is an estimate. Start with a realistic budget, but understand that there’s always a chance work will take longer and cost more than was originally planned.

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