Why “On-Time and Under-Budget” Is a Myth—And What You Can Do About It

“Your IT project is on-time and under-budget,” said no one ever.

By Emil Davidoff

If you've led a large software project before, you’ve likely learned this the hard way. Budget overruns, schedule slips, shifting requirements—these aren't anomalies, they’re the norm. And while that might feel frustrating, it’s not surprising. Even the most sophisticated teams struggle to accurately estimate software development timelines.

Take NASA’s Galileo mission as a dramatic example. Originally scheduled to launch in 1982 with a budget of $410 million, the spacecraft eventually launched seven years late—in 1989—and at more than three times the original cost, topping $1.3 billion.

I was fortunate to work on this mission, though not on the original budget forecast. I was part of the team that had to navigate the very real challenges that emerged along the way: unexpected delays with the Space Shuttle, major setbacks from the Challenger disaster, and dozens of engineering “firsts” that required solving problems no one had encountered before.

And that’s the point: “Firsts” mean unknowns. Unknowns mean learning as you go. And learning as you go is exciting—but also expensive.

What That Means for Enterprise IT Projects

Unlike NASA, your company doesn’t have congressional funding, multi-decade timelines, or an army of engineers to brute-force through unknowns. In the private sector, deadlines, budgets, and business outcomes are non-negotiable.

In fact, the stakes are higher: Miss your targets, and your reputation—and your job—might be on the line.

So how do you avoid a billion-dollar black hole of your own?

5 Strategies to Keep Your Software Project Grounded

1. Treat Uncertainty as a Requirement

   • Acknowledge that unknowns will happen. Build in time and budget contingency from day one. Don’t sell leadership on a fantasy—they’ll thank you later for your honesty.

     
     

2. Avoid “Firsts” When You Can

   • Innovation is important, but don’t invent where you can reuse, repurpose, or license. There’s no need to write your own authentication system when proven tools already exist.

     
     

3. Choose Partners Who Know the Terrain

   • Work with development teams that have “been there, done that” in your domain. Experience shortens timelines, avoids pitfalls, and drives better outcomes

     
     

4. Break It Down

   • Don’t run a 12-month marathon blindfolded. Use agile methods to break the project into clear, measurable phases. Every sprint should produce something you can test, learn from, and iterate on.

     
     

5. Align IT with the Business

   • Software projects don't live in isolation. They support revenue, operations, customer experience, or compliance. Involve stakeholders early and ensure their goals shape the development priorities.

     
     

Final Thought: You’re Not Launching to Jupiter

Most enterprise software isn’t building a spacecraft. But the lesson from Galileo still applies: innovation without structure leads to chaos. With the right mindset, experienced partners, and clear governance, you can move fast without losing control.

Need help ensuring your software project stays on track? Contact us to learn how we help enterprise teams build smart, scalable solutions—on budget, and on purpose.