Timeline guide
Custom Software Timeline Guide
A focused MVP commonly requires 8–16 weeks after scope approval. Broader custom systems require a project-specific schedule because integrations, migration, authorization, and acceptance work change the critical path.
What this guidance assumes
- A bounded workflow and accountable decision-makers
- Production deployment, testing, and handoff are included
- Existing systems and data are available for discovery
Critical-path and timeline drivers
- Workflow breadth and business rules
- Roles, RBAC, and tenant isolation
- Data model, migration, reporting, and administration
- Integrations, security, deployment, and operational support
Typical delivery stages
- 01Discovery and requirements
- 02Architecture, UX, and data modeling
- 03Implementation and integration
- 04QA, deployment, and handoff
What commonly causes delays
- Unresolved data ownership
- Late workflow or role changes
- Legacy-system uncertainty
- Delayed acceptance decisions
Dependencies outside engineering control
- Third-party licenses and usage fees
- Ongoing maintenance unless scoped
- Taxes, contingency, and change requests
Cost and timeline are connected
Scope changes affect engineering effort and elapsed time differently. Parallel work can shorten a calendar schedule only when decisions and dependencies are ready.
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