AI Automation ROI Planning Model

A transparent worksheet for ranges, assumptions and sensitivity — not a promised return.

How to use this resource

Use ranges, not a single optimistic number. Include hidden review work, exceptions, adoption, operating cost and the cost of being wrong.

Important: This is a planning model, not a forecast or guarantee. Use qualified financial, tax and accounting review where required.

Audience

Finance, operations, transformation and executive sponsors

When to use it

A team needs an economic case for a workflow initiative.

Objective

Build a defensible value and cost range tied to a measurable baseline.

Annual labor cost = volume × minutes ÷ 60 × loaded hourly cost.
Annual time value = annual labor cost × validated time-reduction range × adoption.
Quality value = avoided rework or loss based on the measured baseline.
Net annual value = validated value − annual operating cost.
Payback period = initial investment ÷ monthly net value, where monthly net value is positive.
ROI planning range = (cumulative net value − initial investment) ÷ initial investment.

Test adoption, time reduction, quality effect, operating cost and implementation duration across low/base/high cases.
Record the most uncertain assumption.
Define the break-even condition and downside case.
Record the decision, reviewer and date.

Start with the problem

You do not need a specification. Tell us what you are trying to improve.