FAQ: How to set a realistic timeline for software development?
Last updated: February 06, 2024 Read in fullscreen view



- 02 Nov 2023
Differences between software walkthrough, review, and inspection 1537
- 15 Feb 2024
What is a Cut-Over in Software Development? 855
- 15 Oct 2022
Project-based team model for one-off and pilot software development projects 598
- 19 Mar 2021
Selective Outsourcing of IT Functions - a new trend in business outsourcing 394
- 16 Dec 2021
Why outsource Python development of your project? 336
- 10 May 2021
What are things you should look for in a good IT outsourcing company? 334
- 14 Dec 2021
The Top 10 Problems with Outsourcing Implementation and How to Solve Them 326
- 12 May 2021
The Real Cost Between Outsourcing IT vs In-House: A Quick Comparison 309
- 08 Feb 2022
Software Development: Fixed Cost or Opportunity Cost? 305
- 15 Aug 2021
TIGO Rate Formula - Things the partners should know 302
- 06 Oct 2021
Intellectual property issues with outsourcing software development 302
- 03 Oct 2020
Outsourcing Your MVP Development - Streamlined Solutions for future 293
- 19 Oct 2020
The hidden costs of outsourcing software development 285
- 24 Nov 2021
What is the Actual Cost of Hiring Cheap Developers? 283
- 22 Mar 2022
8 Mistakes Marketing Agencies or Consulting Firms Make When Outsourcing Web Development 273
- 01 Sep 2019
Outsourcing Software To Vietnam: Facts, benefits and limitations 268
- 02 Mar 2021
Estimate the Cost of Software Development 245
- 31 Dec 2021
Outsourcing Software Development to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 243
- 01 Jan 2023
4 New IT Outsourcing Pricing Models to consider in 2023 241
- 25 Nov 2021
Low-Cost Software Development: Buy Nice or Buy Twice? 240
- 05 Jan 2022
What Outsourcing Engagement Model is Right For You? 225
- 03 Nov 2021
7 phases of Odoo Implementation and Development: Can they be outsourced? 223
- 01 Mar 2022
Top 5 reasons why outsourcing to Vietnam is a smart move 218
- 04 Jan 2021
VIETNAM AS A BIG ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION IN THE FIELD OF OUTSOURCING 218
- 12 Jan 2023
Top 10 Trustworthy IT Outsourcing Companies in Vietnam 217
- 12 Oct 2021
Vietnam outsourcing path - the silk road connecting ASEAN with the developed countries (EU, US, Japan...) 215
- 21 Oct 2021
Advantages and Disadvantages of IT Outsourcing 205
- 10 May 2021
Project Audit and Second Opinion Services 200
- 01 Apr 2021
IT Outsourcing to vietnam: Why It Is A Good Choice? 195
- 03 Nov 2022
Top questions and answers you must know before ask for software outsourcing 191
- 01 Jan 2023
Software Development Outsourcing Trends to Watch Out for in 2023 186
- 08 Jan 2024
Ask Experts: Explicitation/Implicitation and Elicitation; two commonly used but barely unraveled concepts 175
- 01 Mar 2024
(AI) Artificial Intelligence Terms Every Beginner Should Know 166
- 16 Mar 2021
Outsource Data Engineering Services - TIGO Streamlined Solutions 164
- 08 Oct 2024
Vietnam: The Rising Star in Global Outsourcing – Trends and Costs for 2025 162
- 11 Mar 2023
Common Pain Points in Software Development Outsourcing 157
- 02 Nov 2023
What are the pros and cons of iIT outsourcing? 156
- 01 Jan 2023
Top Software Development Challenges in 2023 153
- 13 Oct 2021
Why Outsourcing Software Development Services Is Gaining Traction With Non-Technical Leaders? 149
- 01 Oct 2022
Vietnam is a favorite supply of IT outsourcing services to Japan 143
- 01 Jan 2023
Top 5 IT outsourcing countries in 2023 142
- 17 Oct 2020
How Outsourcing can Improve Time Management for Better Business 142
- 04 Apr 2024
Unlock Vietnamese-Japanese outsourcing potential 142
- 01 Jan 2023
Why is Vietnam the Top IT Outsourcing Destination of 2023? 141
- 08 Aug 2021
Why Nearshore Software Development is better than In-House Development? 139
- 21 Oct 2022
Outsourcing Billable Rate 137
- 01 May 2023
Streamline Your Business with Outsourcing 132
- 01 Jan 2024
Tech Partnerships: Choosing the Right Software Outsourcing Firm in Vietnam 128
- 01 Feb 2023
[InfoWorld] Is your outsourcer agile enough? 123
- 01 Jan 2024
Software Outsourcing Questions for 2024 122
- 10 Mar 2021
The 7 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid Before Outsourcing a Web Development Project 119
- 21 Aug 2022
Forbes: IT Outsourcing Hotspot: Vietnam, A Small But Mighty Powerhouse 117
- 01 Jan 2024
Hiring Tech Talents in Asia: An Overview of Skills, Costs, and Potential 117
- 01 Jan 2024
12 reasons for software development outsourcing 117
- 08 Jan 2024
Outsourcing on an As-Needed Basis 114
- 09 Jan 2021
How can outsourcing enable business agility? 113
- 13 Jan 2023
What are the Hourly Rates in Offshore Software Development? 112
- 07 Nov 2024
Outsourcing Crisis Looming: Will Trump's Policies Transform the Global IT Landscape? 112
- 01 Feb 2024
How long does it take to develop software? 110
- 17 Jan 2024
What are the benefits and challenges of using multi-sourcing or single-sourcing strategies? 110
- 28 Oct 2022
Expect the unexpected in 2023 - How Outsourcing Can Help? 110
- 15 Nov 2023
IT Staff Augmentation Types and the Best Choice for Your Business 105
- 03 Jan 2023
IT Outsourcing Costs: Is outsourcing really cost-effective? 98
- 09 Sep 2022
Close Collaboration and Communication Can Overcome the Challenges of Distributed Teams 97
- 10 Jan 2024
Facts Chart: Reasons for outsourcing 96
- 01 Jan 2024
What The World Is Flat Means to IT Outsourcing 71
- 02 May 2021
Outsourcing Software Development: Avoid 8 Mistakes 60
What is the average timeline for software development?
On average, we see a software development timeline of 4-9 months. The size and complexity of the project are the biggest factors in its overall duration. A project is considered large or has a greater complexity if any of the following apply: Involves 25+ screens.
How long does it take to create a software?
- Small business software project timeline: 3 to 4 months
- Mid-level business software project timeline: 5 to 6 months
- Enterprise business software project timeline: 12 or more months
How much time does it take to create software?
Check the following software table to quickly know the timeline of different software projects.
Type of Software | Requirements of Software | Timeline |
---|---|---|
Small business |
|
2 to 4 months |
Mid-level business |
|
5 – 6 months |
Enterprise business |
|
> 12 months |
How to estimate the software development time?
- Define the scope of the project.
- Break down the project into tasks.
- Determine the resources required.
- Estimate the time required for each task.
- Identify the risks and contingencies.
- Craft a timeline.
- Monitor the progress.
Which factors influence timeline estimation?
There is an answer from Forbes (Author: Eduardo).
First is the type of project. The more complex and unique the project is, the more time it needs in order to be built. A banking app development time will definitely differ from an app for virtual experience shopping. And the more screens you require, the longer the time will be.
The second thing to consider is whether you have to migrate large amounts of data from one system to another. The data should be modified to be suitable for your new solution, which can be done with the help of a custom script. After data has been moved, testing has to take place to see if everything works as expected. While, in my experience, the migration is not a complex task, it is time-consuming and takes software engineering.
The number of features, complexity in functionality and difficulty in implementation also dictate the development time. For example, it usually takes anywhere from three to six months to develop an app with simple functionality but six to nine months to make an average-complexity product. I have seen it take nine months to build an app that is highly complex in functionality.
Lastly, there is the complexity of integrating the new software within your business system. Some integrations are easy, but others require more time and effort.
Why is software development taking longer than expected?
Software development can take longer than expected for a variety of reasons, including:
- Underestimating the scope of the project: The project requirements may be unclear or incomplete, leading to more work than originally anticipated.
- Technical challenges: The technology used to build the software may have unexpected limitations, bugs or compatibility issues that can slow down the development process.
- Unforeseen dependencies: The software may need to integrate with other systems or technologies, creating additional work and delays.
- Lack of resources: Insufficient staffing or budget can result in slower development times.
- Change requests: Changes to the scope or requirements of the project can also delay the timeline.
- Poor project management: Issues with project planning, communication, or coordination can cause delays in the software development process.
- Best practices for avoiding these issues include thorough requirements gathering, clear project planning, regular communication with stakeholders, and effective project management.