Note: This calculator provides estimates for project cycle time and throughput based on your input parameters. Actual results may vary depending on team dynamics, complexity, and external factors.
Estimated Results
Estimated Cycle Time:
days
Estimated Throughput:
story points/day
Total Project Duration:
days
Advanced Parameters
Results Visualization
How Does This Calculator Work?
The Cycle Time & Throughput Estimator uses industry standard formulas and adjustments based on team and project characteristics to provide estimates for your project planning needs.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on Calculations |
|---|---|---|
| Project Size | Total size of the project measured in story points | Directly affects total duration - larger projects require more time |
| Team Size | Number of team members working on the project | More team members generally increase throughput, but with diminishing returns |
| Team Experience | Overall experience level of the team | Higher experience levels lead to higher productivity and shorter cycle times |
| Working Hours | Effective working hours per day | Directly impacts daily throughput capacity |
| Productivity | Percentage of time spent on productive work | Adjusts throughput calculations to account for meetings, breaks, etc. |
| Project Methodology | The project management approach being used | Different methodologies have different efficiency factors based on research |
| Project Complexity | Level of project complexity | Higher complexity increases cycle time and reduces throughput |
| External Dependencies | Level of dependency on external factors/teams | More dependencies introduce additional wait times and coordination overhead |
| WIP Limit | Maximum number of work items in progress at once | Lower WIP limits can improve flow efficiency but may cap throughput |
Calculation Methodology:
- Base throughput is calculated from team size, productivity, and experience level
- Cycle time is calculated based on the complexity, methodology, and WIP limits
- Various adjustment factors are applied based on dependencies and methodology
- Project duration is calculated by dividing project size by daily throughput
- Results are adjusted for real-world conditions using industry standard factors
Note on Accuracy: While this calculator uses established formulas and industry benchmarks from 2025, actual project performance can vary. Use these estimates as a starting point for planning discussions, not as definitive forecasts.