Measuring AI ROI: A Practical Framework That Survives Boards
Boards now ask for AI ROI numbers. The framework that holds up to scrutiny — and the metrics that don't.
By AI Productivity Hub Editorial Team9 min read
If your AI ROI deck is built on 'productivity boost' percentages, expect tough questions. Here's a framework that survives them.
The framework
- Baseline: measure before, not after.
- Time saved: per role, per week, validated.
- Quality delta: error rate, CSAT, revenue per rep.
- Risk-adjusted: minus oversight time and incidents.
- Net: dollarise and compare to total cost.
Metrics that work
| Domain | Metric |
|---|---|
| Support | First-response CSAT |
| Sales | Meetings booked per rep |
| Engineering | PRs merged per week |
| Marketing | Time to publish |
Key takeaways
- Baselines are everything.
- Avoid percentage gains without source data.
- Dollarise — boards trust money, not 'productivity'.
Sources & further reading
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see ROI?
Most well-scoped pilots show clear ROI inside 60–90 days.
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