Begin with the baseline
Suppose a task takes 6 hours per week. If the routine portion can be reduced by 60%, the gross estimate is 3.6 hours. If checking still takes 0.6 hours, the net estimate is 3 hours per week.
Value capacity honestly
At an illustrative £25 per hour and 46 working weeks, 3 hours per week represents £3,450 of annual capacity value. This is not a measured Streamline AI result and it is not automatically a cash saving.
Include the whole investment
An illustrative £1,200 build and £60 per month in running costs total £1,920 in year one. Against £3,450 of capacity value, the difference is £1,530 before any additional support cost. These figures are examples, not a quote.
Test whether the time can be used
Scattered minutes may not become a usable block of time. Ask whether the improvement creates room for paid work, faster service, reduced overtime or a less pressured owner. Each has value, but they are different outcomes.
Use a range, then measure
Try lower and higher assumptions for volume, review time and running cost. After launch, measure actual handling over a representative period and compare it with the baseline. Keep adjusting the business case.