• Broad (ball park) - This is a very general estimate that can be furnished after an initial meeting where some high level requirements are collected. This type of estimate is free of charge and provided before any work is done on the five development stages explained in this table. The broad (ball park) estimate will only be based on a cursory glance at the available requirements of the new system and the current system documentation. The goal of the broad (ball park) estimate is to be within 50% either way of the final project cost.

• Specific - After conducting the first two phases of development: Initial Analysis and Business Design, a specific estimate may be provided. This detailed estimate requires a great deal of work and consequently the client will be billed for this service prior to initiation of the project. A ceiling for these first two phases will be agreed upon during or shortly after the initial meeting. The goal of the specific estimate is to fall within 20% of the actual project costs.
  

Estimates are provided so that you will not only have an idea of what the cost will be but also have a tool to track the progress. Keep in mind, the estimate does not state what the actual cost of the system will be. Frequently during a project new features or unforeseen problems will surface which require a scope change and therefore add to the project cost. This is called "scope creep". Didelot Consultants attempts to minimize "scope creep" by relying on our five phase development process. If this occurs, every effort will be made to document each scope change.