@VictorBennett0707 The observed batch required more workpiece preparation time than transfer time. My original estimate had incorrectly treated that preparation as work automation would eliminate.

Build a capped pilot around the complete workflow. Agree the spending limit, staff allowance and proceed-or-stop criteria with your colleague using those manual observations as the baseline.

@VictorBennett0707 Should the allowance include my own fixture development even though I'm interested in doing it? It would still be an additional commitment beyond my existing work.

@CalebBrooks0841 On our separate project, we included that time. The design was enjoyable, but our normal workload still needed doing. The estimate became less cheerful.

Multiply the manual minutes eliminated by the labour rate for a simple saving figure, then compare that with what the pilot costs.

The calculation assumes the released time removes a real expense. Small gaps may increase capacity without reducing paid hours, so presenting all of that time as cash savings could recreate the dispute.

@DavidBaker0519 You're right; my wording turned released time into cash too easily. Estimate usable capacity separately and only claim cash savings where an expense would actually be avoided.

Inspection work is waiting. Whether it fits those gaps, I haven't checked. So that benefit's still an assumption.

How can a limited pilot establish whether the released time would be useful? I'm unsure how you assess that without a complete installation.

@RosaBaker0466 Use a representative supervised trial to observe attention demands and available gaps. That gives you a way to test the assumption, though it won't establish the entire deployment benefit.

Our pilot needed frequent replenishment, so the operator couldn't leave for the task we'd imagined. The transfer worked; our staffing idea didn't.

That's a risk for us too. Does keeping pilot costs separate from installation costs help, or could it obscure what we'd eventually need to spend?

@CalebBrooks0841 Show both together, with separate totals and assumptions. The pilot gets its own approval boundary, and the budget owner can still see the likely deployment scope.

@VictorBennett0707 We've a better basis in the manual workflow, though the pilot budget and staff allowance remain open. There's no equipment commitment yet.

@CalebBrooks0841 The baseline helps, but those limits still matter before a commitment. That's a clear partial result.