KEVOS® WORKOS · Improvement
Automation Business Case
Is this repetitive work worth automating?
Estimates the net annual benefit and payback of automating manual work.
Open the calculatorRuns in your browser. No account needed.
How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Manual hours / week | hr | Manual hours per week on the task (time study) |
| Loaded labour rate | $/hr | Loaded labour rate |
| Working weeks | weeks | Working weeks per year |
| Automation investment | $ | Quoted installed cost of the automation |
| Annual automation cost | $ | Annual maintenance, support and licence cost |
| Expected manual effort reduction | % | Expected reduction in manual effort from the supplier or a pilot |
Method and formulas
- Manual cost = hours per week × rate × weeks
- Net benefit = manual cost × reduction − annual automation cost
- Payback = investment ÷ net benefit
Limitations
- Excludes downtime of the automation, quality changes and redeployment costs
Typical uses
- Robot, jig or software automation proposals
Who it is for
- Engineering and operations managers
What you get
- AUTOMATION CASE EXISTS or WEAK AUTOMATION CASE
- Net annual benefit and payback
Interpreting the result
- Automate a stable process; check safety and change management first
References
- Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace
WORKOS tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.
