Work out automation roi instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Automation ROI must net off maintenance, which is what most business cases omit. A script saving 50 hours a month but needing 40 hours of upkeep is barely worth having. Subtracting maintenance first, then dividing build cost by the net monthly saving, gives an honest payback period — and occasionally shows that the task should be eliminated rather than automated.
Automation payback
net monthly saving = manual minutes x runs / 60 - maintenance hours; payback = build hours / net monthly saving
Maintenance. Automation breaks when the environment changes, and someone must own it. Budget 10 to 20 percent of build effort per year as ongoing cost.
Yes — consistency, auditability and lower error rates. For risky manual procedures those often matter more than the hours, and should be argued separately.