# Workflow automation ROI calculator

Use this calculator before committing to automation work. The purpose is not to produce an optimistic business case; it is to expose whether the workflow has enough volume, consistency, risk reduction, and adoption potential to justify implementation and operation.

## Inputs

- Baseline volume, average handling time, queue delay, rework rate, exception rate, and escalation rate.
- Labor mix, loaded cost, review cost, support cost, and subject-matter expert availability.
- Automation scope: assisted response, partial action, full action, routing, summarization, or deterministic workflow.
- Implementation cost: integration, data preparation, testing, approvals, monitoring, training, and ongoing support.
- Value categories: time saved, error reduction, faster response, compliance improvement, customer satisfaction, and risk reduction.

## Output

Calculate conservative, expected, and optimistic cases. If the conservative case fails, document the assumptions that would need to become true before the workflow enters the roadmap.