Calculator

Automation ROI — Estimation Calculator (Interactive)

A practical, interactive template to capture inputs for an automation business case, save scenario data, and guide users through conservative calculations for annual savings, error-cost reductions, payback, and sensitivity to adoption.

Interactive Tool

Automation ROI — Estimation Calculator

Quickly capture the critical inputs needed to estimate whether an automation candidate is worth pursuing. This form records a conservative, repeatable snapshot of task time, frequency, error costs, implementation effort, and expected improvement. Below the inputs you’ll find clear formulas and worked examples to compute annual savings and simple payback. Optionally request an automated calculation or librarian review after submitting.

Why use this: creates a consistent, comparable estimate across candidates; encourages conservative assumptions; saves scenarios for later comparison.

Give this estimate a brief name you’ll recognize (e.g., ‘Invoice automation - AP team’).
Time it currently takes one person to complete the task, in minutes. Use measured time where possible.
How many times the task occurs in the selected period (e.g., 5 per day).
Choose the period for the frequency above.
Use fully loaded cost (wages + benefits + overhead) to estimate labor savings. If unknown, use a conservative estimate.
If errors occur, enter the average direct cost per error (rework, fines, refunds, customer-impacted cost). Leave blank if negligible.
How many error events occur in the chosen period. Leave zero if not applicable.
Percent reduction in task time after automation. Use a conservative figure (e.g., 20-50%).
Percent reduction in errors after automation. Leave blank if not estimating error savings.
Percent of the eligible volume that will use the automation (e.g., 60% in year 1). Use conservative estimates early on.
All up one-time cost to implement the automation (software, integration, vendor, internal project hours).
Internal project hours (for visibility). This can be converted to cost using hourly FTE cost if desired.
Estimated annual costs to maintain or support the automation (hosting, licenses, vendor support).
Record the source of estimates or key assumptions (sample size for time study, who provided cost estimates, etc.).
If yes, the saved inputs will be flagged for an automated calculation or human review (requires a processing capability).
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