# Software Project Schedule Calculator

> Turn effort into a schedule, by the published model or by your staffing.

Page: https://freecalculator.tech/tools/software-project-schedule-calculator
Last reviewed: 2026-09-16

## Formula

COCOMO II model: TDEV = 3.67 × PM^(0.28 + 0.2 × (E − 0.91)). Staffing model: Months = Effort in person-months ÷ People available

- COCOMO II model: TDEV = 3.67 × PM^(0.28 + 0.2 × (E − 0.91)). Staffing model: Months = Effort in person-months ÷ People available.
- Inputs used: Estimation model, Estimated effort, COCOMO II scale exponent, People available.
- Edge handling: Estimated effort is required.; Estimated effort cannot be negative.; Estimated effort must be no more than 1000000000.; COCOMO II scale exponent is required.; COCOMO II scale exponent must be greater than zero..

## Inputs

- Estimation model
- Estimated effort
- COCOMO II scale exponent
- People available

## Worked example: 286 person-months on the published schedule equation

Pick the model you want; the other one is not mixed in.
1. Start with Estimation model: cocomo, Estimated effort: 286, COCOMO II scale exponent: 1.0997, People available: 0.
2. Apply the method: COCOMO II model: TDEV = 3.67 × PM^(0.28 + 0.2 × (E − 0.91)). Staffing model: Months = Effort in person-months ÷ People available.
3. Pick the model you want; the other one is not mixed in.

## Common questions

### Where does this formula come from?

COCOMO II Model Definition Manual — post-architecture effort PM = A × Size^E × ΠEM with A = 2.94 and E = B + 0.01 × ΣSF (B = 0.91), and schedule TDEV = C × PM^(D + 0.2 × (E − B)) × SCED%/100 with C = 3.67 and D = 0.28. See the source link on this page.

### What kind of calculation is this?

Two published methods for turning effort into calendar time, selectable on the page and reported separately. Check the formula, example, and limitations on this page before using the result for a real professional & industry decision.

### What are its limits?

COCOMO II is a calibrated estimation model, not an exact prediction; its published accuracy is a range, not a point. Estimates are only as good as the size, scale factors and effort multipliers entered. The staffing model ignores the compressibility limits the published model imposes.

### How do I use the Software Project Schedule Calculator?

Enter the required values for Estimation model, Estimated effort, COCOMO II scale exponent, People available. The calculator applies the formula on this page and shows the main result with any supporting breakdown so you can check the arithmetic.

### What formula does the Software Project Schedule Calculator use?

COCOMO II model: TDEV = 3.67 × PM^(0.28 + 0.2 × (E − 0.91)). Staffing model: Months = Effort in person-months ÷ People available The visible formula section above lists the calculation path and the edge cases the page handles, so the result can be checked without relying on the form alone.

### Can the Software Project Schedule Calculator be used for exact decisions?

Use it as a calculation aid, not as a substitute for checking the underlying rule, contract, policy, or professional advice that applies to your situation. When a result depends on local rules, personal details, prices, or dates, enter those values yourself and confirm them before acting.

## Limitations and assumptions

- Inputs outside the supported range are rejected rather than forced into a result.
- The result depends on the values you enter for this software project schedule calculator; it does not supply missing rates, rules, prices, dates, or assumptions for you.

## Sources

- University of Southern California, Center for Systems and Software Engineering — https://csse.usc.edu/tools/cocomo/

## Cite this page

- APA: Free Calculator. (2026, September 16). Software Project Schedule Calculator. https://freecalculator.tech/tools/software-project-schedule-calculator
- MLA: "Software Project Schedule Calculator." Free Calculator, 16 Sept. 2026, https://freecalculator.tech/tools/software-project-schedule-calculator.
- Link: Software Project Schedule Calculator — Free Calculator, https://freecalculator.tech/tools/software-project-schedule-calculator