Tool
Process cost calculator
A quick, careful estimate of what one manual process costs you per year, and a deliberately conservative view of what might be recoverable. Change the numbers to match a process you're thinking about. The link updates as you go, so you can share it with whoever needs to see it.
What to do with the number
A cost is only half the picture
The other half is what it would take to remove it. That depends on which systems the process touches, how much of it needs judgement, and how messy the inputs are.
FAQ
Calculator: common questions
What should I put for hourly cost?
The fully loaded cost of the person's time: wages plus payroll taxes, benefits, and overhead, divided by hours worked. If you only know salary, a rough rule is to add a quarter to a third on top and divide by about 2,000 hours a year.
Why is the recoverable range so conservative?
Because it's an assumption, not a measurement. Automation rarely removes every hour: someone still reviews exceptions, handles the odd case, and checks the output. A range you can defend is more useful than a number that looks good.
Does this include the cost of building the automation?
No. The build cost depends on which systems the process touches, how much judgement it needs, and how messy the inputs are. You get that in writing after a free assessment, and the two numbers together tell you whether the project is worth doing.
What if several different processes are involved?
Run the calculator once per process. Automation projects work best one workflow at a time, and the numbers are easier to defend when each one is scoped on its own.
Next step
Want the other half of the picture?
Tell us about this process. We'll tell you honestly whether it's worth automating and send a written price and timeline. No cost, no obligation.
You'll get a written summary of what we find, whether or not you move forward.