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Calculating ROI for a small AI project

Before requesting budget or convincing leadership, you need a concrete number — not just a feeling that "AI will help."

The simplest ROI to calculate: time saved × number of people × frequency, converted into equivalent labor cost. No complex formula needed — just measure before and after on the same specific task.

Always pilot at a small scale first (1 person, 1 process, 2-4 weeks) to get real numbers, instead of estimating on paper and requesting company-wide budget right away.

Try it now

  1. 1Pick one specific process to measure and record current time spent (before AI)
  2. 2Pilot AI on that process for 2-4 weeks with one person or a small group
  3. 3Measure the time spent again after using AI
  4. 4Convert the time saved into equivalent labor cost for a concrete ROI figure
Example prompt

"Process X currently takes 3 hours/week for one person, at an hourly labor cost of [X]. After a 3-week AI pilot, it now takes 1 hour/week. Help me present this ROI as a short summary for a leadership report."

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