FIELD GUIDE04
Updated July 21, 2026 / 7 min
Price a repeatable workflow
Estimate the full operating cost of a workflow, including review, exceptions, integration, and exit work.
Compare total workflow cost, not subscription price. Include setup, usage, human review, exception handling, monitoring, training, integration upkeep, and the cost to leave.
Working sequence
Make the evidence visible.
- 01
Count the units
Estimate runs, users, records, tokens, storage, and peak periods with a range.
- 02
Add human minutes
Include preparation, review, correction, approval, and exception handling.
- 03
Add operating work
Include testing, monitoring, access review, change management, and support.
- 04
Model three cases
Use low, expected, and high volume so a single guess does not drive the decision.
Evidence to keep
Leave with four records.
- Usage range
- Review minutes
- Operating owner
- Exit cost
Cheap generation can support an expensive workflow when review and exceptions are ignored.