Build cost
Workflow complexity, user roles, integrations, migration, security requirements, and the acceptance checks determine the implementation scope.
Make the business case.
Compare the cost of a recurring workflow with the cost of improving it. Use your own numbers, then define a scope worth investing in.
Value model
- Time recoveredAvailable capacity
- Costs avoidedSavings you can realize
- Running costsThe cost of operating the change
A change worth testing.Use your own numbers
Ungated planning tool
What could this workflow be worth?
Enter all seven assumptions. Your numbers stay in this browser; they are not sent with analytics or an inquiry.
Planning estimate
See the assumptions add up.
Complete the inputs to see recovered hours, net monthly value, and value-based payback.
Recovered hours are available capacity. They become cash savings or additional revenue only when your operation can realize that value. This estimate is not a quote or a guarantee.
How the estimate is calculated
- Recovered hours/month = tasks × minutes ÷ 60 × reduction ÷ 100.
- Capacity value/month = recovered hours × loaded hourly cost.
- Net monthly value = capacity value + retired software cost − new ongoing cost.
- Value-based payback = implementation budget ÷ positive net monthly value.
- First-year net value = 12 × net monthly value − implementation budget. This assumes 12 months at the modeled level, without a ramp-up period.
Financing, tax, discount rates, and unmodeled risks are excluded. A negative or zero net monthly value has no modeled payback.
A quote starts with a defined scope.
There is no universal price for custom software. We quote the agreed work after reviewing the workflow and its constraints. The example numbers in this calculator are not QC Devworks prices.
Recurring cost
Account for hosting, support, vendor licenses, and usage-based services such as model calls. Include only software subscriptions you can actually retire as savings.
Delivery timing
The proposal identifies milestones and dependencies. System access, representative data, decisions, and user feedback affect the schedule.
Validate the assumptions before committing.
Use observed volumes and time samples from a representative period. Pilot the change, compare the result with the baseline, and revise the business case before expanding.
Capacity is not cash
Recovered staff hours have value, but they do not automatically reduce payroll or generate revenue. Decide how your team will use the capacity.
Start conservatively
Allow for exceptions, adoption, review time, maintenance, and incomplete automation. Do not assume every minute of the current process disappears.
Good questions.
Straight answers.
How is a project priced?
We define the workflow, deliverables, integrations, acceptance criteria, and dependencies before quoting a build. Hosting, third-party licenses, model usage, and ongoing support are identified separately. The calculator is a planning tool, not a project quote.
What will we own?
The proposal identifies ownership of custom code and data, access to repositories and hosting, and any third-party licenses. Handover includes the agreed documentation and operating instructions. Confirm these terms before work begins.
Your next useful step.
Services
Explore custom software, workflow automation, and AI agents from QC Devworks in Moline. Clear deliverables, practical discovery, and defined ongoing support.
Process
See how QC Devworks defines scope, reviews working increments, tests critical workflows, and hands over an operating system.
Let's make work flow.
Tell QC Devworks what you want to build, connect, or improve. Send a project inquiry to our Moline software studio.