The degree of implementation complexity is a key factor in determining the time it takes to build a software solution.
Low complexity projects tend to have a small set of requirements and deliver simple functionality. These types of software development projects only require a small team and can be delivered on relatively shorter timeline.
Medium complexity software development delivers richer and or more complex functionality, in comparison to the low complexity software development projects. They involve advanced features that require significant effort or more complicated technical integrations.
Medium complexity projects also require more time to fully capture the requirements, conduct thorough testing, and deploy the final product to all the user base. This translates into longer project timeline than low complexity projects. These projects also require larger project teams, which lead to higher costs than low complexity projects.
As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to estimate 1-3 months for low complexity projects, 3-6 months for medium complexity projects, and 6-12 months or more for high complexity projects.