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
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 before the calculator.
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
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.
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?
Typical averages from our specialised cost calculators: website relaunch from about EUR 15,000, mobile app from about EUR 40,000, ERP/CRM introduction from about EUR 60,000, AI projects from about EUR 25,000 – 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 based on EUR 140 per hour excl. VAT, with a fixed-price option for clearly scoped projects.
Typical pricing models (overview)
| Model | When it fits | Budget & flexibility | Typical 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 & Material | Discovery, 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 package | Ongoing 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.
Costs & next steps
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.