How to Calculate ROI on Automation Projects

Justifying an automation project starts with a clear before-and-after comparison. Begin by measuring how long the current process takes, how many people touch it, and how often errors require rework.

From there, estimate the hours saved once the process is automated, multiply by the fully loaded cost of that time, and weigh it against the cost of building and maintaining the automation.

Don't forget softer benefits like faster customer response times and improved compliance. They may be harder to quantify but often matter as much as the direct labour savings.