Most "ROI" numbers in consulting are made up.
Not maliciously. But nobody has a system for separating what's real from what's a guess from what's a hope.
A vendor tells you they "saved $200K annually." Sounds great. But was that measured from actual data? Was it estimated from a 3-day sample? Was it projected based on assumptions that may or may not hold?
If you can't tell the difference, the number is useless for decision-making. It's just decoration.
Why Are Untagged ROI Numbers Dangerous?
When every number in a report looks the same — same font, same confidence, same presentation — you're being asked to treat a projection the same way you'd treat a measured fact. That's not a reporting choice. That's a credibility problem.
And it goes both ways. Sometimes the measured numbers are actually more impressive than the projections. But when everything is presented identically, the real wins get buried alongside the guesses.
How Does Coriven Tag Every Number?
At Coriven, every number gets tagged:
- [measured] — pulled from a system, a log, or direct observation. We can show you the data.
- [estimated] — calculated from measured inputs plus transparent assumptions. The math is open.
- [projected] — forward-looking based on current trends. We tell you what we think will happen, not what has happened.
Three tags. No ambiguity. You always know what you're looking at.
What One Question Should You Ask Every Vendor?
The next time any vendor shows you an ROI number, ask:
"Is that measured, estimated, or projected?"
If they can answer clearly and show their work, you're dealing with someone honest. If they can't — that tells you everything you need to know.