Software Costs

Understanding Software Application Types, Costs, and Documentation Needs
18 Jan

Choosing the right software type—Proof of Concept (PoC), Minimum Viable Product (MVP), or full-scale product—can significantly impact a business’s costs and growth. Off-the-shelf software offers lower upfront costs and immediate use but may lack flexibility. Custom software is tailored to specific needs, offering scalability at a higher initial cost. Hybrid solutions combine both approaches. Comprehensive software documentation, whether for off-the-shelf or custom software, is crucial for maintenance, troubleshooting, and future-proofing. Good documentation minimizes errors, reduces long-term costs, and supports efficient updates. Read More…

How to Budget for an Agile Software Development Project
1 Jan

This guide helps product owners set a budget for Agile software development projects, balancing business expectations with project realities. Agile projects often reveal effort and time in hindsight, which conflicts with the need for upfront financial planning. To navigate this, product owners should focus on leveraging technology like Codebots to automate coding tasks, use a risk-based estimation method, and employ flexible project trade-offs such as fixed time with variable scope to manage costs and timelines. This approach, alongside Behaviour Field Trials, helps streamline the process and avoid costly overruns. Read More…

The Benefits of Outsourcing Software Development for Australian Businesses
1 Jan

Outsourcing software development allows Australian businesses to save costs, access global talent, and focus on core competencies. While local (onshore) outsourcing offers better communication and market understanding, it can be more expensive. Offshore outsourcing provides cost savings but may involve challenges like time zone differences and communication barriers. To succeed, businesses should carefully choose partners, watch for red flags, and maintain strong communication and collaboration. With the right strategy, outsourcing can drive innovation and efficiency. Read More…

What are the monthly operational expenses to budget for a software application project?
1 Jan

In 2024, budgeting for a software application project includes essential monthly expenses such as support ($500 AUD), cloud hosting ($600 AUD), mail servers ($10 AUD), domain hosting ($2 AUD), and SSL certificates ($5 AUD), totalling around $1,117 AUD per month. Optional costs include APIs ($150 AUD), Google Play Store and Apple Developer Account fees, and development platforms like Codebots, which could add up to an extra $246 AUD. Planning these operational expenses upfront ensures smooth project management and helps avoid unexpected costs down the road. Read More…

These Are the ‘Other Costs’ when Building Custom Software
1 Jan '24

Building custom software involves several key costs, including ongoing maintenance for updates and support, varying hosting expenses depending on service needs, and the importance of hiring a dedicated product owner to reduce costly change requests. Marketing costs can range from traditional methods like TV ads to cost-effective digital strategies, while legal expenses for patenting software ideas in Australia can quickly escalate based on complexity. Don’t overlook the cost of training staff to use the new software effectively. Proper planning and budget allocation are essential for a successful project. Read More…

The 6 Constraints That Lead To Failed Software and IT Projects
1 Jan '24

In 2024, software project success hinges on mitigating six key constraints: budget, customer satisfaction, meeting user requirements, quality, risk, and time. AI and DevOps are now central in optimizing project timelines, budget estimation, and quality assurance. Enhanced user engagement, automated testing, and improved cybersecurity measures have refined the development process. While challenges persist, incorporating cutting-edge technologies has improved risk management and project success rates, fostering stronger relationships and better outcomes in software and IT projects. Read More…

How to Accurately Estimate Software Development Costs
23 Mar '21

To accurately estimate software development costs, break down the project into tasks, estimate time and resources for each task, and account for potential risks and changes. Use historical data and consult with stakeholders to refine estimates. Read More…

Using Software Estimations to Account for Scope Discovery
15 Feb '21

Discovery issues often increase the number of tasks in a project by about 15%, impacting time and costs. To handle this, acknowledge potential variations, incorporate a 10% buffer in your estimates for discovery, and refine your process based on tracked data. This approach helps manage unexpected changes and improve estimation accuracy. Read More…

How Accurate Are Software Estimates? Traditional vs Scientific Estimates
27 Jul '20

Estimating software development costs is challenging due to the unique and evolving nature of software projects. Unlike other industries, software development involves many unknowns and rapidly changing technologies. Methods like bracketing, historical comparison, and scoping approaches such as T-shirt sizes or Fibonacci estimations are used, but accuracy improves with more information and scientific methods. Continuous learning and refining the estimation process can enhance accuracy, but no estimate is perfect. Read More…

The Process and Price of Software Releases
14 May '20

Proper software release involves not just development, but effective deployment and hosting. Cloud hosting options are either private (more secure, costly) or public (less control, automated, cost-effective). WorkingMouse handles public cloud setups (AWS, Azure) efficiently, reducing setup time from weeks to a day with tools like Kubernetes. Costs for clients are minimized as WorkingMouse covers setup for public cloud environments, while private or customized setups may incur additional fees. Read More…