Workflow ROI Calculator
Put a currency figure on every manual workflow.
Automation decisions get easy when the cost of doing nothing is a number.
The journey, step by step
Where the work concentrates
- Cost the current state5
- Cost the fix4
- Run the numbers4
- Decide and record4
Cost the current state
Minutes per run × runs per month = monthly minutes.
Multiply by the loaded hourly rate of whoever does it.
Add rework: error rate × cost per error.
Add delay cost: what waits while this gets done?
That total is your monthly bleed. Write it down.
Cost the fix
Build estimate in hours × your build rate.
Add tooling or platform fees per month.
Add maintenance: assume 10% of build cost yearly.
Be pessimistic here. Optimism lives in the savings column.
Run the numbers
Payback months = build cost ÷ monthly bleed.
Under 6 months: build it now.
6–12 months: build if volume is growing.
Over 12 months: leave it manual, revisit next quarter.
Decide and record
Write the decision and the numbers behind it.
Set a review date to compare projected vs. actual.
Track actual hours saved from week one.
Use real results to green-light the next workflow.
Want this done for you?
We run this exact process on every build. 11 platforms shipped, 7 live in production.
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