Compare options
Compare two options
Two scenarios side by side. One is called cheaper only when both deliver the same thing: the same unit of work, what counts as accepted, workload, costs counted and service conditions. Otherwise the figures are shown as budgets, with the reasons, and no winner.
What option A delivers· recorded
What option B delivers· recorded
Side by side Forecast
Like for like: the same outcome definition, workload, cost scope and service conditions. B costs $0.26 less per accepted support outcome ($0.38 against $0.64).
| Measure | A | B | B − A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario | Illustrative customer support workflow | Illustrative higher model price, reduced human effort | |
| Path and unit of work | Custom workflow, per accepted support outcome | Custom workflow, per accepted support outcome | Same unit |
| Monthly TCO | $5,740.00 | $3,380.00 | −$2,360.00 |
| Cost per accepted outcomeCompared only when both deliver the same thing | $0.64 | $0.38 | −$0.26 |
| Monthly run cost | $5,240.00 | $2,880.00 | −$2,360.00 |
| One-off build cost | $12,000.00 | $12,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Direct AI cost per monthModel, service, seat or serving charges only | $140.00 | $180.00 | +$40.00 |
| Net cash a monthForecast: baseline spend that stops, less new monthly payments | Undefined | Undefined | |
| Cash paybackForecast, in months | Undefined | Undefined | |
| Net resource valueForecast; staff time at loaded cost, not cash | Undefined | Undefined | |
| Resource-value paybackForecast, in months; not cash payback | Undefined | Undefined |
One baseline for both options: the cost of the same work done today. Value needs accepted outcomes, so a serving choice shows none.
For the cash view: contractor, outsourcing or licence spend that leaves the budget. Staff who stay are not a cash saving.
Rises are shown in amber, falls in green. Each row is B minus A for that kind of cost.
What would change the answer
Each input moved 20% either way, the rest held. Shown for custom workflows; a packaged tool's cost moves in line with each of its few inputs.
Option A
Acceptance given completion matters most: a 20% move shifts cost per accepted support outcome by up to $0.16.
| Input | At 80% | At 120% | Largest move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance given completionCapped at 100% | $0.80 | $0.57 | $0.16 |
| Human review: incidence | $0.57 | $0.70 | $0.07 |
| Human review: minutes per event | $0.57 | $0.70 | $0.07 |
| Human review: hourly rate | $0.57 | $0.70 | $0.07 |
Base: $0.64 per accepted support outcome. Showing the top 4 of 18 inputs. Volume moves only volume-driven cost.
Low, base and high
| Case | Per accepted support outcome | Monthly TCO |
|---|---|---|
| Low | $0.32 | $3,222.93 |
| Base | $0.64 | $5,740.00 |
| High | $1.31 | $9,423.60 |
Every input except volume moved 20% at once, all in the cheaper direction for the low case and all in the dearer direction for the high case. It shows how far the answer could plausibly stretch, not how likely any point is. Capped at 100%: Acceptance given completion.
Option B
Acceptance given completion matters most: a 20% move shifts cost per accepted support outcome by up to $0.09.
| Input | At 80% | At 120% | Largest move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance given completionCapped at 100% | $0.47 | $0.34 | $0.09 |
| Human review: incidence | $0.34 | $0.41 | $0.03 |
| Human review: minutes per event | $0.34 | $0.41 | $0.03 |
| Human review: hourly rate | $0.34 | $0.41 | $0.03 |
Base: $0.38 per accepted support outcome. Showing the top 4 of 18 inputs. Volume moves only volume-driven cost.
Low, base and high
| Case | Per accepted support outcome | Monthly TCO |
|---|---|---|
| Low | $0.20 | $2,019.73 |
| Base | $0.38 | $3,380.00 |
| High | $0.74 | $5,334.00 |
Every input except volume moved 20% at once, all in the cheaper direction for the low case and all in the dearer direction for the high case. It shows how far the answer could plausibly stretch, not how likely any point is. Capped at 100%: Acceptance given completion.
To compare your own scenarios, build each on its costing path and choose “Compare as option A” or “B”, or import saved JSON files above. Everything stays in this browser.