IT Automation: The Quest for Lights Out

Cost Benefit Analysis

Documenting the cost versus benefit of your initiative is one of the toughest things to do within an IT operational initiative. To quantify the "return" on the investment in hard cash is difficult. Unlike a marketing promotion, which requires an investment in the promotional activity and material that is more than offset by an increase in revenues, the automation initiative may be necessary simply to correct unacceptable performance.

Additionally, you are at a further disadvantage because you are analyzing an "automation" initiative that by definition suggests "savings." Your management is aware that you are preparing to increase ...