Calculate AI Agent ROI: Method + Example | Propulse

## Why calculate ROI before you start 85% of French companies increased their AI investments in 2025 (Deloitte). But 40% underestimate hidden costs. Calculating the return **before** you sign is the difference between a profitable project and a disappointing expense. ## The simple ROI formula > **ROI (%) = (Annual gains − Total cost) ÷ Total cost × 100** And its essential companion, the **payback period**: > **Payback (months) = Investment ÷ Monthly gain** ## Step 1 — Quantify the real gains Three families of gains, in order of how easy they are to measure: 1. **Time saved:** hours saved × loaded hourly rate × number of people. 2. **Errors avoided:** e.g. 2 billing errors/month × €150 rework = €3,600/year. 3. **Extra capacity:** leads handled faster, customers served 24/7. ## Step 2 — A worked example (10-person SMB) - 10 hrs/week of repetitive tasks per person, 70% automated - Loaded hourly rate: €35 - Investment: €10,000 → 7 hrs saved/week/person × 52 × €35 × 10 ≈ **€127,000/year** of freed-up time. → First-year ROI: (127,000 − 10,000) ÷ 10,000 ≈ **1,170%**, payback **< 1 month**. These numbers look huge — which is exactly why you must be **conservative with assumptions** (a realistic automation rate, time genuinely reallocated to value). ## Step 3 — Don't forget the hidden costs Monthly subscriptions, maintenance, and above all **change management**: training teams and adapting processes. That's where 40% of calculations go wrong. ## Estimate your ROI in 30 seconds Instead of opening a spreadsheet, use our **ROI calculator**: move a few sliders (headcount, hourly rate, automated hours) and get your savings and payback live. 👉 [Calculate your ROI at roi.propulse-solutions.com](https://roi.propulse-solutions.com) Need help framing the assumptions? [Book a free assessment](/en/call).

AI Agent ROI: How to Calculate It (Method + Worked Example)

Why calculate ROI before you start

The simple ROI formula

Step 1 — Quantify the real gains

Step 2 — A worked example (10-person SMB)

Step 3 — Don't forget the hidden costs

Estimate your ROI in 30 seconds

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