Automation ROI business case template
Use this template to make the business case for an AI automation project before you spend budget on implementation.
Fill in these sections before implementation
Section 01
Current cost
Estimate the current cost of running the workflow manually.
Fields to fill
Section 02
Automation cost
Estimate the cost to build, run, and maintain the automation.
Fields to fill
Section 03
Value model
Calculate the value that should show up after launch.
Fields to fill
Section 04
Approval plan
Define what makes the project worth approving.
Fields to fill
Confirm before you hand this to a builder
Questions this template answers
How do I calculate automation ROI?
Estimate manual hours saved, multiply by loaded labor cost, add revenue or error-reduction impact, subtract implementation and monthly operating cost, then compare monthly net value to payback period.
What metric should prove automation ROI?
The best ROI metric depends on the workflow, but common metrics include hours saved, first response time, booked meetings, recovered revenue, error reduction, and support resolution time.