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Мой личный склад идей

#45 · Published: 2025-04-09 13:08 UTC

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I often get asked the same questions: **"How long will the development take?"** and **"How much will it cost?"** And even if I already have all the necessary information about the project — which is extremely rare — I still find it difficult to give a quick and accurate answer. Do you know why? Because each of these questions triggers a complex model in my mind — with dozens of interdependent variables and possible options. At that moment, I feel like Doctor Strange in *Avengers*: — I’ve looked at 14,000,605 possible futures. Not in a battle for the universe, but in a battle for a high-quality, safe, and budget-friendly product. Every decision is a choice between consequences: — Do it quickly — but then it will be difficult and expensive to maintain later. — Do it cheaply — but with risks to quality and safety. — Do it simply — but possibly lose flexibility and scalability. — Do it with quality — but with higher resource and time costs. — Do it beautifully — but it’s not guaranteed that users will actually need it. — And finally, — will it bring sustainable business value?
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Summary

This article explores the common challenges faced when estimating project development timelines and costs. It highlights the complexity of providing accurate answers, even with complete project information, due to numerous interdependent variables and potential options. The author likens this decision-making process to Doctor Strange viewing multiple futures, emphasizing the intricate balance required to deliver a high-quality, safe, and cost-effective product. Key considerations include trade-offs between speed, cost, quality, safety, flexibility, scalability, and aesthetic appeal. Choosing to expedite development may lead to higher maintenance costs later, while prioritizing affordability could compromise quality and safety. Simplifying the project might reduce initial costs but limit future adaptability. Investing in quality and beauty can increase resource and time requirements, and there's also the question of whether the product will generate sustainable business value. Ultimately, the article underscores the importance of strategic decision-making in project management, weighing various factors to achieve a successful outcome that aligns with business goals and user needs.

Keywords

project development estimationsoftware development costsproject timeline planningdecision-making in project managementbalancing quality and costscalability and flexibilitydevelopment trade-offsproject management strategiessustainable business valuecost vs quality in projectsproject planning challengesrisk management in development
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