Measure completed work
Compare equivalent tasks before and after implementation. A useful starting measure is time per completed task, including the time spent checking and correcting AI outputs. Track quality and exceptions alongside speed so a faster workflow does not hide rework.
Account for the complete cost
Include implementation, integration, licenses, model usage, content maintenance, evaluation, and human review. Model cost is only one part of the economics. Compare benefits and costs over the same time horizon.
Keep capacity and cash separate
If a workflow frees ten hours of employee time, that is released capacity. It becomes a cash saving only when spending actually changes. Capacity can still create value through better service, higher throughput, or time redirected to valuable work, but those outcomes need their own evidence.
Use a transparent decision rule
A basic ROI calculation is (realized benefits minus total costs) divided by total costs. State the assumptions and measurement period. Where benefits are uncertain, use a range and identify what the pilot must establish before the business scales the investment.
AI Value Diagnostic
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