Finance understands hours. Translate custom software into repeated labour you can stop paying for.
Simple ROI model
Hours saved per week × loaded hourly cost × 52 = annual benefit.
Compare to build cost plus modest annual maintenance.
Add error reduction if bad data causes rework or churn.
Example
Four people spend three hours weekly on manual reporting (12 hours). At £45/hour loaded, that is £28,080/year. A £9,500 dashboard that cuts that by 70% pays back in under six months.
When ROI is not the point
Strategic products, compliance or revenue unlock may justify build without spreadsheet ROI. Still document the bet.
Use this as a working checklist inside your team first. When the same steps repeat every week and spreadsheets start breaking, that is usually the moment to scope a decision map covering product value, frequency, integration needs and ownership risk as an owned system. See the relevant Standen service · More guides · SaaS ops audit.