An ROI (Return on Investment) report is a document that calculates the financial impact of a product, service, or initiative by comparing its costs to its returns. These reports use key metrics—such as total costs, cash flow, and net profit—to clearly demonstrate the value of an investment to stakeholders.
In B2B settings, ROI reports are particularly useful for buying committees evaluating solutions like HR software. For example, an ROI report for an HR platform might calculate how automating tasks like payroll, compliance, and onboarding can save $100,000 annually in administrative costs while reducing turnover by improving employee engagement.
By providing measurable outcomes, the report helps decision-makers justify the investment and align the purchase with their company’s financial and operational goals.
Whether analyzing economic growth, operational efficiency, or total economic impact, ROI reports give decision-makers the clarity they need to optimize their marketing strategies, investments, and overall bottom line.
An economic impact report is a detailed analysis that evaluates the financial and operational outcomes of implementing a specific product, service, or solution. Often commissioned by organizations like Forrester Consulting, these reports go beyond basic ROI calculations to measure both direct and indirect benefits—such as cost savings, productivity improvements, and increased revenue—over a defined period.
For example, an economic impact report for an HR software platform might analyze how the solution reduces administrative costs by 30%, improves employee retention by 15%, and increases productivity across departments. It could also factor in indirect benefits, such as improved employee satisfaction and the ripple effect of reduced turnover costs.
These reports are typically used by vendors to help buying committees understand the total economic impact (TEI) of their solution, providing a comprehensive view of both the financial returns and operational efficiencies it delivers. By offering measurable data and real-world examples, economic impact reports serve as a powerful tool to justify purchasing decisions, especially for enterprise-level investments.
Good ROI reports come in various forms, tailored to specific industries and use cases. They are powerful tools for showcasing the value of a product, service, or initiative, helping decision-makers justify purchases or investments. Below, we’ve outlined common types of ROI reports with examples to show how they’re used effectively:
SaaS companies use ROI reports to demonstrate how their tools drive measurable results, such as reducing costs or improving efficiency.
Marketing ROI reports help teams evaluate the success of campaigns by analyzing key metrics like ad spend, lead generation, and conversion rates.
These reports focus on how sales tools, like enablement platforms or CRMs, improve pipeline visibility, shorten deal cycles, and increase win rates.
Often created by Forrester Consulting, these reports go beyond basic ROI calculations to showcase the total economic impact (TEI) of a product or service.
These reports highlight the financial impact of reducing churn, improving customer retention, or increasing lifetime value.
Operational ROI reports focus on how tools or processes streamline workflows and reduce inefficiencies.
ROI reports are most effective in situations where stakeholders need detailed analysis and measurable results. Here’s when to use them:
What’s the best way to share ROI reports with internal stakeholders?
Use a central workspace or document hub where stakeholders can access the report on their own time. Avoid email attachments or scattered links—version control gets messy fast. Ideally, the ROI report should live in a place that’s easy to update, easy to share, and trackable.
Who typically needs to see the ROI report?
Finance, Procurement, and Executive stakeholders are the most common audiences. If you’re supporting a champion internally, make sure the report is structured clearly enough for someone to re-share without needing you in the room.
How do I make sure everyone’s working off the same version?
Use a single source of truth—whether that’s a live spreadsheet, a cloud-based report, or an embedded model in a shared workspace. Make it view-only if needed, and clearly label it with the last updated date.
How do I keep it consistent across teams?
Create a standard template for your ROI models—one that includes brand visuals, key metrics, and assumptions. This helps maintain consistency in how your product’s value is presented across sales conversations.
Any tips for getting feedback or buy-in?
Invite feedback early from cross-functional teams like sales, finance, and customer success. You’ll avoid rework later and build alignment faster. If you're prepping your champion to share it internally, give them a quick one-liner they can use to explain the report's value.