Arendusaja

Arendusaja is an Estonian term used to describe the time span allocated to development activities within a project. It denotes the period during which work on a product, system, or feature is planned, executed, and prepared for release. The word combines arendus (development) with a time-related ending, and is commonly used in project documentation and planning.

In practice, arendusaja appears across various fields, including software development, product management, construction, and urban planning. In software projects, arendusaja covers the phases of analysis, design, implementation, and initial validation, typically distinguishing this development work from later stages such as testing, deployment, and maintenance. In other domains, it similarly marks the window during which development tasks are carried out before a new release, approval, or handover.

Estimating arendusaja is a central task in project planning. It is usually expressed in days, weeks, or sprints and depends on factors such as scope, complexity, available resources, regulatory requirements, and risk. Accurate arendusaja estimates help set milestones, allocate resources, and manage expectations among stakeholders. Underestimation can lead to delays and budget overruns, while overruns may slow down delivery and hinder opportunities.

See also: arendus, arendusperiood, projektijuhtimine, tarkvaraarendus.