Developed and maintained by ProWorkstack · Development and review process
Estimate direct operating costs of a clinical-trial delay using your own verified cost schedule.
Your results
Enter your inputs and select Calculate.
How this calculator works
Continuing delay cost = additional days × daily operating cost × (1 − avoidable fraction). Net direct delay cost = continuing cost + restart/extension charges − documented offsets. A negative result means offsets exceed the entered cost, not that delay creates a research benefit.Worked example
Thirty days at 2,500 per day with 20% avoided costs leave 60,000 continuing expense. Add 10,000 restart charges and subtract 5,000 documented offsets for 65,000.Assumptions
Defaults are illustrative. Replace them with your own measured quantities and documented assumptions. Use matching periods and a consistent currency wherever monetary amounts are entered.Interpreting your results
This estimates entered operating costs only. It does not predict study results, regulatory timelines, participant outcomes, recruitment or commercial launch value. Costs must come from the responsible study budget and confirmed contractual terms.Calculation formulas
- continuing
days*daily*(1-avoidable/100)- Estimated extra delay cost
continuing+restart-offset- Daily continuing cost after avoidable costs
daily*(1-avoidable/100)- Total continuing cost during the delay
continuing
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before using the result?
Identify staff, sites, systems and suppliers that continue during the extension. Separate costs that would have occurred anyway from additional delay expense, and avoid including a fixed contract charge in both daily and restart costs.
Does this tool connect to my records?
No. This is a local calculation from the figures you enter. It does not scan accounts, import private records or verify legal, regulatory or exam requirements.
Maintained by ProWorkstack · Last reviewed: 2026-10-04 · Development and review process