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AI Strategy2026-03-25 · 8 min
AI ROI: The Framework We Use to Justify Every Project
A concrete way to estimate the ROI of an AI project before you spend a rupee or a dollar on it.
Start with the workflow, not the model
Pick a specific, high-volume workflow. Count the hours it takes today, the error rate, and the cost of delay. That is your baseline.
Model the three levers
AI projects create value three ways: time saved (automation), better decisions (prediction), and new capacity (scaling a scarce skill). Model each separately.
Add the hard costs
Engineering, data readiness, integrations, monitoring, and LLM token spend. Token cost is recurring — estimate it at scale, not at pilot size.
Set a payback bar
We recommend projects that pay back within 12–18 months. If the math does not clear that bar, the project is not ready — that is a good thing to know before building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a realistic AI ROI?
For automation-focused projects, 30–70% cost reduction on the targeted workflow is common. Prediction projects vary more and depend on decision value.
Ready to act on this?
Book a 30-minute call — a senior engineer will map the highest-value path for your business.
Calculate Your AI ROI →Related
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