The Size of Software Projects Developed by Mexican Companies

Currently, most software projects around the world are small rather than large. Despite this, there are more methodologies, tools, frameworks, processes, and so on, for developing and managing large software projects than for small ones. Small software projects are important because they generate considerable resources. For example: apps (small mobile applications) generate around $25 billion dollars of revenue. This paper shows our findings regarding the size of the projects built by Mexican software development companies. We surveyed 107 Mexican companies and found that 92% of their developed projects are micro and small, and 8% are medium or large. In addition, according to our research, 84.1% of companies in Mexico are micro or small businesses.

💡 Research Summary

The paper investigates the distribution of software project sizes among Mexican development firms, addressing a gap in the literature where most methodological and tooling resources target large‑scale projects despite the global predominance of small‑scale work. The authors conducted a structured survey between January and December 2025, reaching 107 companies across the country. Respondents—primarily project managers, CTOs, or CEOs—provided data on company size (employee count and annual revenue), the number and type of projects undertaken, and the development practices employed. Project size was classified using International Function Point (FP) standards into four categories: micro (≤10 K FP), small (10 K–100 K FP), medium (100 K–500 K FP), and large (>500 K FP). The response rate was 78 %, yielding a robust data set for analysis.

Key findings reveal that 92 % of all reported projects fall into the micro or small categories, while only 8 % are medium or large. Moreover, 84.1 % of the surveyed firms are micro‑ or small‑businesses (≤50 employees). These small firms predominantly develop mobile applications, web services, and internal automation tools—projects that align with the “small‑scale” definition. Medium and large projects are concentrated in larger enterprises or foreign‑owned subsidiaries, often involving complex system integration, enterprise resource planning (ERP), or cloud infrastructure deployments.

From an economic perspective, the authors note that small‑scale applications worldwide generate roughly $25 billion in annual revenue, underscoring the substantial market impact of the projects that dominate the Mexican landscape. However, the study highlights a scarcity of development processes, tools, and frameworks tailored specifically for small projects. While agile sprint cycles, Lean Startup principles, and low‑code/no‑code platforms are gaining traction, there is a lack of standardized guidelines, certification pathways, and formal training programs that could help micro‑ and small‑businesses improve quality, predictability, and scalability.

The paper acknowledges several limitations. First, reliance on self‑reported survey data introduces potential bias, including over‑ or under‑estimation of project sizes and budgets. Second, the exclusive use of function points may not fully capture non‑functional requirements, maintenance effort, or post‑deployment costs. Third, the analysis does not differentiate between regional industry clusters (e.g., manufacturing‑focused versus service‑oriented zones), which could affect project typology. The authors recommend longitudinal studies that track portfolio evolution, cost‑benefit analyses of small‑project methodologies, and deeper investigations into sector‑specific dynamics.

In conclusion, the Mexican software development ecosystem is overwhelmingly oriented toward micro and small projects, a pattern tightly linked to the prevalence of micro‑ and small‑businesses. To harness the economic potential of this segment, policymakers, academic institutions, and industry groups should invest in the creation and dissemination of lightweight, scalable development frameworks, targeted training, and certification schemes. By doing so, they can enable small firms to adopt best practices, improve project outcomes, and contribute more significantly to national IT growth and employment.