Automation ROI and Payback Calculator

Use this calculator to assess whether a proposed automation could save enough time and money to justify its build and ongoing costs.

Enter the monthly task volume, the time each task takes before and after automation, and the proportion of work the automation will cover. Add the loaded hourly cost, initial build cost, software fees and maintenance time. You can also include manual and automated error rates, together with the cost of each error.

What the calculator shows

The results estimate:

• annual hours saved
• annual net benefit
• the month in which the initial build cost may be recovered
• year-one ROI
• three-year ROI
• cumulative costs for the manual and automated approaches

How the calculation works

The calculator compares the estimated cost of continuing the task manually with the estimated cost after automation.

It allows for the fact that automation may cover only part of the workload. Any work outside the selected coverage remains in the automated scenario and continues to use manual time.

The automated scenario also retains monthly software costs, maintenance time and the estimated cost of errors. This helps provide a broader comparison than looking at labour time alone.

Payback indicates when cumulative savings are expected to recover the initial build cost. If estimated monthly savings are zero or negative, the calculator reports no payback within the selected period.

ROI compares the estimated net benefit with the initial build cost. A positive estimate does not mean that the saving will necessarily be achieved.

Assumptions and limitations

Results are indicative business-planning estimates, not a forecast or guarantee.

The calculation depends on the figures entered. Actual savings may differ because of adoption, process quality and implementation performance.

Time saved may not translate directly into a cash saving. The calculator does not assess how released staff time will be used or whether staffing costs will change.

Software, maintenance and error costs remain part of the automated scenario. Unautomated work is also retained based on the automation coverage entered.

Use the results as guidance when comparing options. They do not constitute personalised financial, tax or investment advice.