AI Use-Case ROI Gate

Estimate whether an AI tool or workflow earns its keep before it becomes permanent overhead. Use conservative assumptions and require a measurable business case.

Hours saved per monthLoaded hourly cost ($)Monthly AI/tool cost ($)One-time implementation hoursOther one-time setup cost ($)Expected realization of savings (%)

Gross monthly labor value$0

Net monthly benefit$0

Estimated payback—

Year-1 net benefit$0

Use this as a gate, not a promise

Discount claimed time savings. A 70% realization assumption is often more defensible than assuming every theoretical saved hour converts into economic value.
Include implementation time, training, review burden and recurring software costs.
Do not approve solely on ROI. Data handling, confidentiality, security, output quality, human review and vendor risk still matter.
Set a review date. If the use case does not produce the expected value, revise or kill it.

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Illustrative business-planning calculator only. Results depend on assumptions and are not accounting, tax, legal, audit, cybersecurity or regulatory advice.