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Software budget planner

IT budget planner: calculate several software initiatives together

Plan your digitalisation budget: select initiatives, set period and buffer – the planner delivers total budget and annual rate based on real project values.

Software budget planner

The Budget Planner cost calculator provides an immediate, non-binding cost range without requiring an email address or registration. It combines your project inputs with documented calculation rules and experience from more than 250 software projects.

  • Instant result without email or registration
  • Transparent inputs and calculation path
  • One-off and recurring cost components separated
  • Non-binding guidance based on real project experience

Read the documented calculation methodology

Use the calculator right below for an instant first estimate – no sign-up and no fixed-price commitment. We align scope, risks, and assumptions in a conversation before a binding quote.

Budget planner

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How the Budget Planner cost calculator calculates your range

The calculation follows six visible stages. All figures remain planning values until scope and assumptions have been reviewed.

  1. 1. Capture inputs

    The calculator records the visible project, volume, complexity and operating parameters selected on this page.

  2. 2. Add fixed components

    Fixed base modules and selected add-ons are added without mixing them with recurring charges.

  3. 3. Apply multipliers

    Quantity, complexity and scope factors multiply only the cost components identified for them in the calculator model.

  4. 4. Create the range

    The calculator applies its documented lower and upper uncertainty factors to the base result; ROI views keep investment and savings visible separately.

  5. 5. Round and calibrate

    Monetary result fields are rounded to the nearest whole euro. Public project-cost components are calibrated with the centrally maintained display factor.

  6. 6. Classify the result

    The result is shown as non-binding guidance. A binding quote requires scope, data, integrations, risks and acceptance criteria to be reviewed.

Included

  • Inputs shown in the calculator
  • Calculator-specific base values and factors
  • Displayed one-off and recurring result components

Not included

  • Requirements not selected in the calculator
  • Unknown data migration and third-party licence costs
  • Taxes, legal advice and a binding delivery commitment

Efficiency or discount factor: A central display factor of 0.7 is applied to public project-cost components to keep all calculators aligned with the currently reviewed pricing basis. It is not a customer-specific discount; customer-entered wages, revenues and existing operating costs are not reduced.

Why this is not a binding quote: The calculator cannot verify complete requirements, third-party dependencies, data quality, legal constraints or acceptance criteria.

Technical responsibility and review

Technical owner
Björn Groenewold
Role
Managing Director and software engineer
Expertise
Software development and software estimation
First published
Last technical review
Price basis
September 2026

Costs for Budget Planner depend on scope, risk, and quality expectations. The calculator provides an initial range.

Sizing costs for Budget Planner

  • Binding quotes follow a short scope alignment
  • Include operations, maintenance, and potential grants
  • Many mid-market digitalization projects may qualify for funding

Transparent quoting

  • Milestones and documented assumptions
  • Clear exclusions in the quote
  • Consulting and development delivered from Germany

We quote transparently with dedicated contacts from East Frisia.

Sample calculations & scenarios

Concrete project profiles with assumptions and indicative budgets—useful for internal alignment alongside the calculator.

Cost examples

All cost examples for this calculator

FAQ

Planning your IT budget

Planning your budget

How do I plan a realistic IT budget for several initiatives?

Record all planned digitalisation initiatives with typical project values, spread them over a 12–36 month period and include a buffer.

The planner uses experience values from our cost calculators – from website relaunch and apps to ERP – and delivers the total budget plus annual rate.

How large should the budget buffer be?

For well-specified initiatives, a 15% buffer (“realistic”) is sufficient.

With many unknowns – legacy systems, unclear interfaces, new technologies – 30% (“conservative”) is appropriate. Planning without any buffer almost always leads to change requests or cancelled project parts.

In what order should initiatives be implemented?

Proven prioritisation: first projects with fast, measurable benefits (automation, time tracking), then foundation initiatives that others build on (ERP, interfaces), finally expansion topics (portals, AI).

Early savings then partially finance the later projects.

Björn Groenewold – Geschäftsführer Groenewold IT Solutions

Discuss your budget planning

We prioritise your initiatives, check funding options and create a solid roadmap.

Costs & funding

Which project values does the planner use?

The values configured in the budget planner: website relaunch EUR 21,168, mobile app EUR 28,420, ERP/CRM implementation EUR 25,200, and AI project EUR 16,016 – excl.

VAT. For detailed planning, we recommend the respective specialised calculator.

Can funding programmes relieve the IT budget?

Yes – depending on initiative and federal state, digitalisation grants and the research allowance come into question.

Eligible projects should be identified early because applications must be submitted before the project starts. In the budget consultation, we check suitable programmes for your initiatives.

How binding is the planner's budget estimate?

The planner provides orientation for annual and mid-term planning, not a quotation.

Binding figures are produced per initiative after a requirements analysis – with us transparently after a requirements analysis, with a fixed-price option for clearly scoped projects.

Typical pricing models (overview)

Comparison: typical pricing models for software and IT projects
ModelWhen it fitsBudget & flexibilityTypical risks
Fixed price (fixed scope)Clearly defined scope, stable requirements, repeatable delivery.Predictable total cost; little room for change without a change order.Scope creep leads to change orders or quality trade-offs.
Time & MaterialDiscovery, legacy, evolving requirements, or close collaboration.Maximum flexibility; budget transparent via hourly or daily rates.Without prioritisation, effort can grow—backlog and reviews matter.
Retainer / maintenance packageOngoing operations, updates, small features, and support.Agreed capacity per month; predictable follow-on cost.Large changes may still need a separate estimate.
Hybrid (milestone + T&M)MVP or phased releases with clear go-lives, then iterate.Core delivery fixed price; extensions on a time-and-materials basis.Define contractually what is in scope vs. extra work.

Calculators on this page provide indicative ranges; we choose the right model with you based on risk, scope, and planning horizon.

What determines the costs, and what comes next?

The ranges shown are indicative. For a binding quote we discuss scope, priorities and funding options in a free intro call. Many digitalization projects qualify for grants – try our funding calculator.

Browse all cost calculators, explore services and typical solutions. Questions about Budget Planner? Contact us.

After using the Budget Planner calculator, validate assumptions in a short intro call.

What we align in the call

  • Scope, risks, and funding options
  • Milestones and documented exclusions
  • Transparent quote without hidden line items

Costs for Budget Planner in context

  • Scope, risk, and quality expectations drive the range
  • Include operations, maintenance, and grants
  • Dedicated contacts and short paths from East Frisia

Browse all cost calculators in the costs overview.