Ep. 25 - Building the Business Case for Automation Investments

<p>Getting approval for new automation investments requires building a business case with a cost analysis, expected business benefit, and assessment of project complexity and risk. In this episode, Dan Twing and Tom O&#39;Rourke provideguidance on how to build a successful business case for automation initiative, highlighting the need to speak in terms of business value, particularly revenue growth, profit expansion, and customer acquisition. Their conversation includes real-world examples ranging from expanding API access to transforming business operations.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Points</strong></p><ul><li>Describe technical capabilities in terms of business services and outcomes</li><li>Understand who is involved in approving your proposal and what their concerns are</li><li>Match project cost and effort to payback expectations</li><li>Strategic alignment is key, initiatives tied to revenue growth, profit expansion, and customer acquisition receive highest priority</li><li>Don&#39;t take rejection personally, executive leadership must assess hundreds or thousands of proposals with finite resources </li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Takeaways for Automation Leaders</strong></p><ul><li>Build a solid financial framework by partnering with Finance to build the initiative&#39;s cost and benefits model</li><li>Explain initiative outcomes through business impact, not technical improvements</li><li>Realistically access risk, complexity and strategic alignment</li><li>Think like a shareholder, asking &quot;Is this truly the best use of company resources compared to other possible investments?&quot;</li></ul><p> </p><p><strong>Footer</strong></p><p>EAE Podcast Home: <a href="https://em360tech.com/podcast-series/enterprise-automation-excellence">https://em360tech.com/podcast-series/enterprise-automation-excellence</a></p><p>Feedback &amp; Questions: mailto:<a href="mailto:eaepodcast@emausa.com">eaepodcast@emausa.com</a></p>