Deemzo

Project Decision Documentation

This document explains how the Project Decision tool transforms the entered project information into economic, workload, schedule, capacity, and scope results.

Project Decision is designed as a transparent calculation tool. It does not assign hidden scores, apply undisclosed weights, or produce a recommendation from an opaque model. Every result is derived from the inputs and rules documented below.

This documentation explains how Project Decision analyzes a fixed-price project from several connected perspectives. A project can be above its minimum price while still having limited schedule capacity, or meet the deadline while producing an effective hourly rate below the entered minimum. The results are intended to be interpreted together rather than in isolation.

1. Inputs

The input sections define the information used to evaluate the current project. These inputs support the economic, schedule, capacity, and included work calculations described throughout this documentation. Additional units are evaluated separately in Scenario Analysis and do not modify the current project.

1.1 Project Details

These inputs define the financial and workload assumptions for the current project.

InputMeaningValidation
Project nameOptional name used to identify the project in the tool and exported files.Optional. Up to 80 characters.
Project priceThe total fixed price charged for the project.Required. Zero or a positive USD amount.
External project costsCosts paid from the project price, such as contractors, licenses, travel, or materials.Required. Zero or a positive USD amount.
Estimated workThe current estimate of all work required to complete the project.Required. A number greater than zero, in hours.
Minimum hourly rateThe minimum hourly rate used to evaluate whether the project price supports the estimated work.Required. A USD amount greater than zero.

1.2 Schedule and Capacity

These inputs define the weekly availability for the current project and, when dates are entered, the period used for completion, deadline, and capacity calculations.

InputMeaningValidation
Available project hours per weekThe number of working hours per week that can be assigned to this project.Required. Greater than zero and no more than 168 hours.
Start dateThe calendar date from which the estimated completion date is calculated.Optional. A valid date is required when a deadline is entered.
DeadlineThe calendar date used for deadline and available-capacity calculations.Optional. Must be a valid date and cannot be earlier than the start date.

1.3 Project Scope

Meetings, Revision rounds, and Custom work items describe identifiable parts of the project scope. They help explain how the Estimated work is distributed, but they do not increase it.

Meetings, Revision rounds, and Custom work items can include units associated with the current project or additional units used to evaluate a separate scenario.

1.3.1 Meetings

InputMeaningValidation
Meetings includedThe number of meetings included in the current project.Optional. When entered, it must be a whole number equal to or greater than zero.
Hours per meetingThe estimated work required for one meeting.Required when Meetings included or Additional meetings is greater than zero. When entered, it must be a number greater than zero, and at least one included or additional meeting must be specified.
Additional meetingsThe number of extra meetings evaluated in the Scenario Analysis.Optional. When entered, it must be a whole number equal to or greater than zero.

1.3.2 Revision rounds

InputMeaningValidation
Revision rounds includedThe number of revision rounds included in the current project.Optional. When entered, it must be a whole number equal to or greater than zero.
Hours per revisionThe estimated work required for one revision round.Required when Revision rounds included or Additional revision rounds is greater than zero. When entered, it must be a number greater than zero, and at least one included or additional revision round must be specified.
Additional revision roundsThe number of extra revision rounds evaluated in the Scenario Analysis.Optional. When entered, it must be a whole number equal to or greater than zero.

1.3.3 Custom work items

Custom work items allow the user to describe other repeatable activities that are not represented by meetings or revision rounds.

InputMeaningValidation
Item nameThe name used to identify the custom work category.Required. Up to 40 characters.
Included unitsThe number of units of this custom work item included in the current project.Optional. When entered, it must be a whole number equal to or greater than zero.
Hours per unitThe estimated work required for one unit of the custom item.Required when Included units or Additional units is greater than zero. When entered, it must be a number greater than zero, and at least one included or additional unit must be specified.
Additional unitsThe number of extra units evaluated in Scenario analysis.Optional. When entered, it must be a whole number equal to or greater than zero.
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2. Results

The results are organized into eight sections, moving from a concise decision overview to the detailed calculations behind the project.

  • Decision Summary

    Provides a concise overview of the project's financial position, workload, and schedule based on the calculated results.

  • Key Findings

    Highlights the most relevant conditions identified from the project economics, schedule, capacity, and included work analyses.

  • Project Economics

    Evaluates net revenue, effective hourly rate, minimum project price, and the amount of work the current project value can support.

  • Schedule & Capacity

    Evaluates project duration, available capacity, capacity utilization, deadline difference, and the weekly effort required to complete the estimated work.

  • Included Work

    Shows how the estimated work is allocated across meetings, revisions, custom items, and other project work.

  • Work Overrun Sensitivity

    Shows how 5%, 10%, and 20% increases in estimated work affect project economics by comparing total hours, effective hourly rate, and required price adjustments.

  • Scenario Analysis

    Compares the current project with a separate scenario to evaluate the impact of additional included work.

2.1 Decision Summary

The summary surfaces five high-level results:

MetricDescription
Project priceThe entered fixed price.
Effective rateNet revenue per estimated hour.
DeadlineDays early, days late, on deadline, or not calculated.
Capacity utilizationPercentage of available working time required by the project.
Supported workHours supported by net revenue at the minimum hourly rate.

The summary does not calculate a separate score or final verdict. It provides a concise overview of the most important results.

2.2 Key Findings

Key findings are objective textual interpretations generated from up to four comparisons, depending on the information provided. Comparisons that cannot be evaluated because the required inputs are unavailable are omitted. They do not use confidence levels, qualitative weights, or recommendations.

Project price vs minimum project price

Above minimum, below minimum, or exactly at minimum.

Effective hourly rate vs minimum hourly rate

Above minimum, below minimum, or equal to minimum.

Estimated completion vs deadline

Before deadline, after deadline, or on deadline. Omitted without both dates.

Estimated work vs deadline capacity

Capacity remains, all capacity is used, or capacity is exceeded. Omitted when capacity is unavailable.

2.3 Review These Inputs

These observations identify entered values that may deserve a second look. They do not prevent calculation or change any result. Only observations supported by the information provided are displayed.

Possible observations
Included work exceeds estimated work hours
The identified hours for meetings, revisions, and custom items exceed the total estimated work.
External costs exceed the project price
The external costs are greater than the price before labor is considered.
Weekly availability is unusually high
The entered availability exceeds 80 hours per week and should be verified.

2.4 Project Economics

Project Economics presents the financial calculations derived from the entered project values. Results are grouped into key results and supporting details.

2.4.1 Key results

These results give you a quick overview of your project's financial performance. They show how much revenue you keep after external costs, what your effective hourly earnings are, the minimum price needed to reach your target hourly rate, and how much work the current project value can support.

2.4.1.1 Net revenue

Net revenue shows how much money remains from the project after external project costs have been deducted. It represents the amount available to cover your own work and generate profit.

Net revenue

Net revenue = Project price − External project costs

2.4.1.2 Effective hourly rate

Effective hourly rate shows how much you earn for each estimated hour of work after external project costs have been deducted. It helps you evaluate whether the project meets your target hourly rate.

Effective hourly rate

Effective hourly rate = Net revenue ÷ Estimated work

2.4.1.3 Minimum project price

Minimum project price shows the lowest price you should charge to achieve your target hourly rate based on the estimated work hours and external project costs. If you charge less, your effective hourly rate will be below your target.

Minimum project price

Minimum project price = (Estimated work × Minimum hourly rate) + External project costs

2.4.1.4 Supported work position

Supported work position shows how much work the current project budget can support while maintaining your target hourly rate. It helps you determine whether the available budget matches the estimated work required.

Supported work position

Supported hours = Net revenue ÷ Minimum hourly rate

Remaining supported hours = Supported hours − Estimated work

Maximum supported increase % = (Remaining supported hours ÷ Estimated work) × 100

2.4.2 Supporting details

  • Project price

    The entered fixed project price.

  • External project costs

    The entered external project costs.

  • Estimated work

    The entered estimated work hours.

  • Minimum hourly rate

    The entered minimum hourly rate.

2.5 Schedule & Capacity

Schedule and Capacity presents the estimated project duration and, when the required dates are available, compares the estimated work with the time available before the deadline.

2.5.1 Key results

These results provide a clear overview of your project schedule and available capacity. They show how long the project is expected to take, when it is likely to be completed, how it compares with the deadline, and whether your available time is sufficient for the planned work.

2.5.1.1 Estimated duration

Estimated duration shows how long the project is expected to take based on the estimated work hours and your available working time. It helps you plan your schedule and assess whether the project timeline is realistic.

Estimated duration

Estimated duration = Estimated work ÷ Available project hours per week

The result is displayed as whole weeks and remaining days.

2.5.1.2 Estimated completion

Estimated completion shows the expected date when the project will be finished based on the planned schedule. It helps you determine whether the project is likely to be completed on time.

Estimated completion

Rounded calendar days = ceil(Estimated duration × 7)

Estimated completion = Start date + Rounded calendar days

Fractional calendar days are rounded upward before they are added to the start date.

When no start date is provided, the result is displayed as Not calculated.

2.5.1.3 Deadline difference

Deadline difference shows the time remaining before the deadline or the amount of time by which the project is expected to exceed it. It helps you see whether the project is on schedule or if adjustments may be needed.

Deadline difference

Deadline difference = Deadline − Estimated completion

The result is displayed as days before the deadline, days after the deadline, or On deadline.

It is displayed as Not calculated when the required dates are unavailable.

2.5.1.4 Calendar time available

Calendar time available shows the amount of calendar time available to complete the project between the start date and the deadline. It provides the basis for estimating the work capacity available during the project.

Calendar time available

Calendar time available = Deadline − Start date

When either date is unavailable, the result is displayed as Not calculated.

2.5.1.5 Available project capacity

Available project capacity shows how many hours you can realistically dedicate to the project during the available time based on your weekly availability. It helps you determine whether you have enough capacity to complete the planned work.

Available project capacity

Available project capacity = (Calendar time available ÷ 7) × Available project hours per week

When either date is unavailable, the result is displayed as Not calculated.

2.5.1.6 Capacity utilization

Capacity utilization shows how much of your available project capacity will be used by the estimated work. It helps you identify whether you have spare capacity or if the project is expected to exceed your planned availability.

Capacity utilization

Capacity utilization = (Estimated work ÷ Available project capacity) × 100

It is displayed as Not calculated when either date is unavailable or when there is no positive capacity between the entered dates.

2.5.1.7 Required hours per week

Required hours per week shows the average number of hours you need to work each week to complete the project by the deadline. It helps you compare the required workload with your available weekly capacity.

Required hours per week

Required hours per week = Estimated work ÷ (Calendar time available ÷ 7)

It is displayed as Not calculated when either date is unavailable or when there is no positive calendar interval between the entered dates.

2.5.2 Supporting details

  • Estimated work

    The estimated work entered in the form. This value is used to calculate the Estimated duration, Capacity utilization, and Required hours per week.

  • Available project hours per week

    The available project hours per week entered in the form. This value is used to calculate Estimated duration and Available project capacity.

  • Start date

    The optional project start date entered in the form. It is used to calculate Estimated completion and Calendar time available.

    When no start date is provided, the result is displayed as Not entered.

  • Deadline

    The optional project deadline entered in the form. It is used to calculate Deadline difference and Calendar time available.

    When no deadline is provided, the result is displayed as Not entered.

2.6 Included Work

Included Work shows the breakdown of Estimated work across Meetings, Revision rounds, and Custom work items, along with the Remaining estimated work.

The hours calculated in this section are already part of Estimated work. They are not added to the project estimate again.

2.6.1 Key results

These results provide an overview of the work that can be included in the project based on its current budget and planned conditions. They help you assess whether the planned project scope matches the available resources.

2.6.1.1 Estimated work

The Estimated work entered in the form. It includes all work expected to complete the current project, including both identified included work and remaining estimated work.

2.6.1.2 Identified included work

Identified included work shows the total hours assigned to meetings, revision rounds, and custom work items. These hours are already part of the estimated work and do not increase the project's estimated hours.

Identified included work

Identified included work = Meeting hours + Revision rounds hours + Custom work item hours

2.6.1.3 Remaining estimated work

Remaining estimated work shows the estimated project hours that have not been assigned to meetings, revision rounds, or custom work items. It represents the rest of the work needed to complete the project.

Remaining estimated work

Remaining estimated work = Estimated work − Identified included work

When Identified included work is greater than Estimated work, the result would be negative. In that case, Deemzo displays Not shown and produces an objective warning instead of displaying negative remaining work.

2.6.2 Hours breakdown

The Hours breakdown table shows the included quantity, hours per unit, and calculated included hours for each defined work item. If no meeting, revision round, or custom work item is defined, the table is replaced by a message indicating that no included work items were entered.

  • Item

    Identifies the type of included work. Meetings and Revision rounds use fixed labels. Each Custom work item uses the name entered in the form.

  • Included units

    The number of meetings, revision rounds, or custom work items included in the current project.

  • Hours per unit

    The estimated work required for one meeting, one revision round, or one unit of the corresponding custom item.

  • Included hours
    Included hours = Included units × Hours per Unit

    Total estimated work assigned to the corresponding row.

  • Identified included work total
    Identified included work = Sum of Included hours for All Rows

    The final row of the table adds the Included Hours column. This total is the same value shown as Identified included work in Key results.

Notes
  • Meetings, revision rounds, and custom work items are optional. They appear in the table only when their Included units value is greater than zero.
  • Included units must be whole numbers equal to or greater than zero. Hours per unit must be greater than zero for every displayed item.
  • A Custom work item may be left completely blank. If any of its fields are entered, Item name, Included units, and Hours per unit become required for that item.

2.7 Work Overrun Sensitivity

Work Overrun Sensitivity compares the current project Estimate work with fixed scenarios in which the estimated work increases by 5%, 10%, or 20%. Results are grouped into Key results and Supporting details.

These scenarios keep the Project price, External project costs, and Minimum hourly rate unchanged. Only the Estimated work is increased.

2.7.1 Key results

These results show how additional work beyond the original estimate could affect your project's financial performance. They help you understand the impact of work overruns and evaluate how sensitive the project is to changes in the estimated workload.

2.7.1.1 Scenario

Identifies the work level evaluated in each row. The table includes the current Estimate work and fixed scenarios with 5%, 10%, and 20% more work.

The Current estimate row represents the Estimated work entered in the form without an overrun. The remaining percentages are predefined comparison scenarios and are not entered by the user.

2.7.1.2 Total hours

Total hours shows the total number of project hours after applying the selected work overrun. It helps you understand how additional work affects the project's overall workload.

Total hours

Total hours = Estimated Work × (1 + Overrun Percentage ÷ 100)

The total project work evaluated for the corresponding scenario.

For the Current estimate row, the Overrun Rate is zero, so Total hours is equal to the entered Estimated work.

2.7.1.3 Rate ($/hour)

Rate ($/hour) shows your effective hourly earnings after applying the selected work overrun. It helps you see how additional work affects the value of your time.

Rate ($/hour)

Net revenue = Project price − External project costs

Rate ($/hour) = Net revenue ÷ Total hours

Because Net revenue remain unchanged, the Rate ($/hour) decreases as Total hours increases.

2.7.1.4 vs minimum

vs minimum shows the difference between your effective hourly rate after applying the selected work overrun and your Minimum hourly rate. It helps you see whether your earnings are above or below your minimum target.

vs minimum

vs minimum = Rate ($/hour) − Minimum hourly rate

A positive result is displayed as an hourly amount above the minimum. A negative result is displayed as an hourly amount below the minimum. When the difference is zero, Deemzo displays At minimum.

2.7.1.5 Price adjustment

Price adjustment shows how much the project price should be increased so that your effective hourly rate remains at least equal to your Minimum hourly rate after applying the selected work overrun. It helps you estimate the additional amount to charge if the project requires more work than expected.

Price adjustment

Required project price = External project costs + (Total hours × Minimum hourly rate)

Price adjustment = max(0, Required project price − Project price)

When the current Project price is already sufficient, the adjustment is displayed as $0.00. The Current estimate row displays an em dash because it is the baseline rather than an overrun scenario.

2.7.2 Supporting details

  • Project price

    The entered fixed project price. It remains unchanged in every work overrun scenario.

  • External project costs

    The entered external project costs. This value remains unchanged in every work overrun scenario.

  • Estimated work

    The entered estimated work hours. This value is used as the baseline for calculating Total hours under different work overrun scenarios.

  • Minimum hourly rate

    The entered minimum hourly rate. This value remains unchanged in every work overrun scenario.

2.8 Scenario Analysis

Scenario Analysis compares the current project with a separate scenario created from the Additional units entered for Meetings, Revision rounds, and Custom work items. The submitted project values are not modified.

This section is displayed only when at least one Additional units field contains a value greater than zero. Blank fields and values equal to zero are excluded.

2.8.1 Evaluated scope

Evaluated scope lists every item included in the scenario. Each row shows the item name, the entered Additional units, the Hours per unit, and the resulting additional work.

  • Meetings use the label Meetings. Revision rounds use the label Revision rounds. Custom work items use their entered item names.

  • Below each item, the calculation is displayed as Additional units × Hours per unit, together with the Total additional hours calculated for that item.

    Total additional hours by item
    Total additional hours by item = Additional units × Hours per unit
  • The last row of Evaluated scope displays the Total additional work, calculated as the sum of the Total additional hours for all items.

    Total additional work
    Total additional work = Sum of all Total additional hours by item

2.8.2 Key results

These results compare the current project with the scenario project. They show how the additional work affects the total workload, effective hourly rate, estimated completion, capacity utilization, and supported work.

2.8.2.1 Total Work

Total Work compares the entered Estimated work with the total work after adding the evaluated scope. It helps you see how the additional scope affects the overall workload.

Current project

Current Total Work = Estimated work

Scenario project

Scenario Total Work = Estimated work + Total additional work

Impact message
  • The scenario increases the total project effort by [hours].
2.8.2.2 Effective Hourly Rate

Effective Hourly Rate compares the net revenue earned per work hour in the current project and in the scenario project. It helps you see how the scenario changes the value of each hour worked.

Net revenue

Net revenue = Project price − External project costs

Net revenue remain unchanged. Therefore, adding work normally reduces the Effective Hourly Rate because the same Net revenue is distributed across more hours.

Current project

Current Effective Hourly Rate = Net revenue ÷ Current Total work

Scenario project

Scenario Effective Hourly Rate = Net revenue ÷ Scenario Total work

Impact message
  • The scenario reduces the effective hourly rate by [USD/hour].
2.8.2.3 Deadline

Deadline compares the estimated completion dates of the current project and the scenario project against the project deadline. It helps you see how the scenario affects the likelihood of completing the project on time.

Deadline is displayed only when both a Start Date and a Deadline are available.

Estimated duration

Estimated duration = Total Work ÷ Available hours per week

Estimated completion

Rounded calendar days = ceil(Estimated duration × 7)

Estimated completion = Start date + Rounded calendar days

Current project

Deadline Difference = Deadline − Estimated completion

The result is displayed according to the relationship between the estimated completion date of the current project and the entered Deadline:

  • days before deadline when the estimated completion is earlier than the Deadline.
  • On deadline when both dates are equal.
  • days after deadline when the estimated completion is later than the Deadline.
Scenario project

Deadline Difference = Deadline − Estimated completion

The result is displayed according to the relationship between the estimated completion date of the scenario project and the entered Deadline:

  • days before deadline when the estimated completion is earlier than the Deadline.
  • On deadline when both dates are equal.
  • days after deadline when the estimated completion is later than the Deadline.
Impact messages
  • The estimated completion remains unchanged.

    Displayed when additional work does not increase the rounded calendar duration.

  • The scenario pushes the estimated completion back by [days].

    Displayed when additional work increases the rounded calendar duration.

2.8.2.4 Capacity Utilization

Capacity Utilization compares how much of your available capacity is used by the current project and the scenario project. It helps you see how the scenario affects your workload and available capacity.

Available project capacity

Calendar time available = Deadline − Start date

Available project capacity = (Calendar time available ÷ 7) × Available project hours per week

Capacity utilization

Capacity utilization = (Estimated work ÷ Available project capacity) × 100

Capacity Utilization is displayed only when the available project capacity can be calculated. This requires both a Start Date and a Deadline and a positive interval between them.

Current project

Current Capacity Utilization = Current Total Work ÷ Capacity utilization

The values are displayed as percentages:

  • A value below 100% indicates available capacity.
  • 100% indicates full capacity.
  • A value above 100% indicates that the project requires more work than the calculated capacity.
Scenario project

Scenario Capacity Utilization = Scenario Total Work ÷ Capacity Hours

The values are displayed as percentages:

  • A value below 100% indicates available capacity.
  • 100% indicates full capacity.
  • A value above 100% indicates that the project requires more work than the calculated capacity.
Impact messages
  • The scenario increases capacity utilization from [current utilization] to [scenario utilization], leaving [remaining capacity] available.

    Displayed when both projects remain within capacity.

  • The scenario uses the remaining [capacity] of available project capacity.

    Displayed when the current project is within capacity and the scenario reaches exactly 100%.

  • The scenario moves the project beyond available capacity, changing from [available capacity] available to [capacity excess] above capacity.

    Displayed when the current project is within capacity and the scenario exceeds 100%.

  • The scenario moves the project beyond full capacity by [capacity excess].

    Displayed when the current project uses exactly 100% of capacity and the scenario exceeds it.

  • The scenario increases the capacity excess from [current excess] to [scenario excess].

    Displayed when both projects exceed capacity and the scenario increases the existing excess.

2.8.2.5 Supported Work

Supported Work compares how much work can be supported by the current project and the scenario project while maintaining your Minimum hourly rate. It helps you see how the scenario affects the amount of work the project budget can realistically cover.

Supported hours

Supported hours = Net revenue ÷ Minimum hourly rate

Supported hours remain the same for the current and scenario projects because Net revenue and Minimum hourly rate are unchanged.

Current project

Current Remaining Supported Hours = Supported hours − Current Total Work

Current Supported-work Percentage = Current Remaining Supported Hours ÷ Current Total Work × 100

The result for the current project is displayed as one of the following:

  • hours remaining, with the corresponding percentage, when the project remains within its supported-work limit.
  • At maximum supported work when no supported hours remain.
  • hours above supported work, with the corresponding percentage, when the work total exceeds the supported limit.
Scenario project

Scenario Remaining Supported Hours = Supported hours − Scenario Total Work

Scenario Supported-work Percentage = Scenario Remaining Supported Hours ÷ Scenario Total Work × 100

The result for the scenario project is displayed as one of the following:

  • hours remaining, with the corresponding percentage, when the project remains within its supported-work limit.
  • At maximum supported work when no supported hours remain.
  • hours above supported work, with the corresponding percentage, when the work total exceeds the supported limit.
Impact messages
  • The scenario reduces the remaining supported-work margin by [hours].

    Displayed when both projects remain within the supported-work limit.

  • The scenario moves the project beyond its supported work limit.

    Displayed when the current project is within the supported-work limit and the scenario exceeds it.

  • The scenario moves the project further beyond its supported work limit.

    Displayed when both projects exceed the supported-work limit and the scenario increases the existing excess.

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3. Calculation Workflow

Deemzo follows a simple calculation workflow. Project information is validated as it is entered. When you select Calculate, Deemzo performs a complete calculation and displays the project results. Depending on the information entered, additional analysis may also be displayed.

  • 1. Enter project information

    The user enters the project information in the Inputs section. As each field loses focus, Deemzo validates the entered value and immediately reports any validation errors below the corresponding field.

  • 2. Validate and calculate

    When Calculate is selected, Deemzo performs a complete validation of all entered information. If no validation errors are found, the application calculates all project results and displays the Results section.

    When the calculated values indicate information that should be reviewed, the Review the Inputs section highlights the relevant items.

  • 3. Generate Scenario Analysis

    If additional units have been entered, Deemzo generates the Scenario Analysis section. It compares the current project with the project after the additional work is included while keeping the original Project Price unchanged.

  • 4. Save or load a project

    The current project can be saved as a JSON file using Save Project. Previously saved projects can later be restored using Load Project.

  • 5. Export the results

    The displayed results can be exported as a PDF document using Download PDF. The generated PDF reproduces the Results section as displayed in the application.

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4. Method behavior and limitations

4.1 When results cannot be calculated

The following table explains when a result cannot be calculated because the required dates, values, or available time are missing.

ResultReason
Estimated completionNo Start date was entered, or the estimated completion date falls outside the supported calendar range.
Deadline differenceStart date or Deadline was not entered, or Estimated completion could not be calculated.
Calendar time availableStart date or Deadline was not entered.
Available project capacityStart date or Deadline was not entered.
Capacity utilizationStart date or Deadline was not entered, or there is no available time between the two dates.
Required hours per weekStart date or Deadline was not entered, or there is no available time between the two dates.
Remaining estimated workIdentified included work is greater than Estimated work.
Scenario analysisNo additional units were entered.

4.2 Calculation and display precision

Deemzo performs calculations with JavaScript numeric values and does not round intermediate results to the values shown on screen. Currency, hours, percentages, and dates are formatted for presentation after the calculations are complete. As a result, manually calculating from rounded values shown on screen can produce small differences in later displayed results.

4.3 Assumptions and interpretation limits

The following assumptions and limitations apply to the calculations and interpretations provided by Deemzo.

  • The project is evaluated as a fixed-price project rather than a time-and-material project.
  • External Project Costs are treated as amounts paid from the Project Price.
  • The Minimum Hourly Rate is supplied by the user; Deemzo does not determine what it should be.
  • Estimated Work represents the complete estimate of the current project.
  • Available Hours per Week are assumed to remain reasonably consistent throughout the project.
  • Schedule calculations assume that the entered weekly availability can be spread evenly across the available calendar period.
  • Dates use calendar days, not business days, holidays, or working-day calendars.
  • The items entered in Project Scope describe the parts of the project that the user chooses to identify. They do not have to represent all of the Estimated Work. If their total exceeds the Estimated Work, Review these inputs displays the warning "Included work exceeds estimated work hours."
  • Scenario Analysis and Work Overrun Sensitivity compare different work scenarios. They do not predict what will happen during the project.
  • Results do not include taxes, inflation, payment timing, cash-flow effects, or additional pricing for risk unless those assumptions are reflected in the inputs.

4.4 What Project Decision does not do

Project Decision does not approve or reject a project, predict client behavior, estimate the probability of scope growth, determine the best project price, or replace professional judgment. It does not infer missing project information and does not use artificial intelligence to alter the calculations.

Its purpose is to provide transparent and consistent calculations so that the financial and schedule implications of the entered assumptions can be understood before committing to a project.

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5. Frequently asked questions

Why are Project Price and Effective Hourly Rate different?

Project Price is the total amount charged. Effective Hourly Rate first subtracts External Project Costs and then divides the remaining revenue by the Estimated Work.

Why does the Minimum Project Price include External Project Costs?

External Project Costs must be recovered in addition to the amount required to preserve the Minimum Hourly Rate for the Estimated Work.

Is Supported Work the same as Estimated Work?

No. Estimated Work is entered by the user. Supported Work is calculated from Net Revenue and the Minimum Hourly Rate. Comparing them shows whether the project price supports more or less work than currently estimated.

Why can a project be early but over capacity?

Estimated Completion is based on the entered weekly availability, while Capacity Utilization compares the Estimated Work with the time available before the Deadline. These results should be interpreted together.

Do Additional Units change the current project?

No. They are only used to generate Scenario Analysis. The current project inputs and results remain unchanged.

Does Work Overrun Sensitivity predict actual overruns?

No. It shows fixed 5%, 10%, and 20% increases in Estimated Work so their financial impact can be evaluated.

Why do I see 'Included work exceeds estimated work hours'?

The total hours entered for Meetings, Revision Rounds, and Custom Work Items are greater than the Estimated Work. Deemzo continues the calculation but displays a warning in Review these Inputs.

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Evaluate a fixed-price project

Enter your project information and review its financial results, schedule, capacity, and included work using the Project Decision tool.

Open Project Decision
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