--- title: 4 Expert Tips That Make Your IT Budget More Predictable description: Are you tired of unpredictable IT expenses taking pot shots at your bank account? Here are 4 expert tips to make your IT budget more predictable. image: https://www.omnistech.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bookkeeping-615384_960_720.jpg --- [![Omnis-logo](https://www.omnistech.com/hubfs/Omnis-logo.png)](https://www.omnistech.com) - [MANAGED IT](https://www.omnistech.com/managed-it-support) - [CYBERSECURITY](https://www.omnistech.com/cybersecurity-consulting) - RESOURCES - [BLOG](https://www.omnistech.com/blog) - [SMALL BUSINESS CYBERSECURITY PLAN](https://www.omnistech.com/small-business-cybersecurity-plan) - [VIDEOS](https://www.omnistech.com/videos) - COMPANY - [ABOUT US](https://www.omnistech.com/about-us) - [TESTIMONIALS](https://www.omnistech.com/testimonials) - [CAREERS](https://www.omnistech.com/careers) [I Need IT Support](https://www.omnistech.com/contact-us) [Submit a Ticket](http://portal.omnistech.com/WCC2/Home/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fWCC2%2f) # 4 Expert Tips That Make Your IT Budget More Predictable Are you tired of unpredictable IT expenses taking pot shots at your bank account? Here are 4 expert tips to make your IT budget more predictable. [Donald Kemick](https://www.omnistech.com/blog/author/donald-kemick) Oct 14, 2017 --- ![it budget tips for small businesses](https://www.omnistech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bookkeeping-615384_960_720.jpg?width=728&height=319&name=bookkeeping-615384_960_720.jpg) IT budget and expense management need to be predictable – this is key for any business. Making IT spending predictable can reduce unnecessary stress, and minimize unexpected investments. ## **4 Expert Tips That Make Your IT Budget More Predictable** ### **1.  Set a timeline for updates, upgrades, and replacements for hardware and software** Replace your machines and [update your infrastructure](https://www.omnistech.com/it-infrastructure-upgrade-us-gov/) at set intervals. You can plan almost exactly (not including any emergencies) how much you’ll spend on new machines each year. For example, if your company has 60 machines and you plan on a 5-year rotation, you know you’ll have to invest in 12 new machines per year. This may seem a little excessive, but it’s necessary for security, productivity, and scalability. Having a set rotation also creates a backup stock of computers in case a machine fails before it’s due for a replacement. ### **2.  Sign a contract with set expenses through a managed IT services provider** If you don’t have your own IT department, consider contracting with a managed services provider. A managed service provider gives you a set number of hours each month, or you can even buy blocks of hours. This ensures your machines will be maintained, and you can budget an entire year’s cost at once for IT issues. Even if you have an in-house IT department, it can be helpful to have a consultant come in if you have major IT projects going on. They can assist with everything from server migration to IT infrastructure design to setup and configuration for [Office 365/Google Apps](https://www.omnistech.com/office-365-vs-google-apps/). ### **3.  When you budget for an IT project, make sure to overestimate (a lot)** Speaking of projects, this is where you’ll see the largest disparity in proposed spending and actual spending. If you don’t plan your project well and don’t account for inevitable delays, it’s an easy way to overshoot your budget and mess up your entire IT budget plan. ### **4.  Always leave plenty of room for scope creep** Proper planning can limit scope creep (which can absolutely destroy any budget you have in place for a project). Scope creep means you plan to install two new servers, and suddenly you’re doing two new servers, a network upgrade, and a [full overhaul of your backup system](https://www.omnistech.com/cloud-based-backup/) (all of which you probably needed desperately). One of the biggest causes of scope creep is a project manager who doesn’t fully understand the project, or has problems managing all parties involved in the project. This means slow progress, bloating costs, and major delays.   Follow these tips to make IT spending more predictable. Predictable spending means less stress throughout your organization, from the executives to the boots on the ground in your IT department. Remember, the onus is ultimately on YOU to stick to the budget you’ve outlined. Good luck! [![](https://www.omnistech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2017-11-10-at-9_19_47-AM-300x297-Jun-09-2022-02-15-52-73-PM.png?width=300&height=297&name=Screen-Shot-2017-11-10-at-9_19_47-AM-300x297-Jun-09-2022-02-15-52-73-PM.png)](http://https://www.omnistech.com/go/network-troubleshooting-checklist/) [Business advice](https://www.omnistech.com/blog/tag/business-advice) [Business](https://www.omnistech.com/blog/tag/business) ## Similar posts Education ### [Managed IT Services Quick Guide: What to Expect & When](https://www.omnistech.com/blog/managed-it-services-expectations) Do you know what to expect when you contract with managed IT services? Here are the basic services you should get and when to expect them. Donald Kemick Oct 14, 2017 Internet Service Providers ### [An IT MSP Onboarding Checklist Smooths Transitions](https://www.omnistech.com/blog/it-service-provider-onboarding) If you're choosing a new IT service provider after switching for the first time, here is an IT MSP onboarding checklist to help make the transition... Donald Kemick Oct 24, 2022 Business advice ### [Website Backup Service: Everything You Need to Know About Azure Site Replication](https://www.omnistech.com/blog/website-backup-service-azure) If you have a business website, you need a website backup service. Here's why Azure Site Replication is our go-to service. Donald Kemick Dec 11, 2017 [![OMNIS Technologies](https://www.omnistech.com/hubfs/Asset%201WHITE.png)](https://www.omnistech.com) OMNIS Technologies PO Box 334 32 Lafayette Ave. Lewis Run, PA 16738 ### Services - [Managed IT](https://www.omnistech.com/managed-it-support) - [Cybersecurity](https://www.omnistech.com/cybersecurity-consulting) ### Resources - [Blog](https://www.omnistech.com/blog) - [Small Business Cybersecurity Plan](https://www.omnistech.com/small-business-cybersecurity-plan) - [Videos](https://www.omnistech.com/videos) ### Company - [About Us](https://www.omnistech.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.omnistech.com/careers) - [Testimonials](https://www.omnistech.com/testimonials) - [Contact Us](https://www.omnistech.com/contact-us) © 2022 protocol 80, Inc All rights reserved [Privacy Policy](https://www.omnistech.com/privacy-policy)