How to use the result
Capacity is not automatically cash. Decide what returned hours will do: serve more customers, shorten response time, reduce overtime, improve quality or let a scarce employee focus on higher-value work. That commercial consequence is the real business case.
A worked example
| Item | Manual | AI-assisted target |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly client reports | 8 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Loaded labour rate | $65/hour | |
| 48-week labour value | $10,920/year returned | |
| Commercial consequence | More client capacity without adding Friday admin | |
The pilot must also compare errors, edits and client satisfaction. Saving drafting time while increasing rework is not a win.
Costs the simple calculator does not include
- Software subscriptions and usage fees
- Integration, security and implementation time
- Training, change management and manager review
- Privacy, legal or industry-specific assurance
- Ongoing maintenance when tools or processes change
The ROI evidence to collect
For each sample record the workflow type, manual minutes, assisted minutes, reviewer minutes, rework, error severity and business outcome. After enough repetitions, compare the median—not the best demo.