The headline number
$2.78 returned for every $1 invested in IT over 3 years[1], and that is the average. High-performing organisations achieve 13% ROI compared to the average 5.9%[1]. 27% see returns within 6 months, 34% within 6-12 months[1].
The gap between average and high-performing is not a budget problem. It is a portfolio-discipline problem.
Where the ROI gap actually sits
From 15+ years of MSP engagement data, 35% of typical IT spending delivers zero measurable business value[3]. Mid-market organisations average 4.9% of revenue on technology[2], meaning a $50M business is spending around $2.4M, of which $840K may be invisible to outcomes.
A board-grade investment case in five sections
- Problem statement in business terms (not technology terms)
- Three options with NPV, including the "do nothing" baseline
- Risk-adjusted assumptions with sensitivity bands, not point estimates
- Capability impact statement, who is more effective and by what measure
- Decision needed, by when, and what changes if it slips
A CFO will approve a 30% ROI case with clear assumptions before they will approve a 300% ROI case with vendor logos and glossy templates. Quality of reasoning beats size of claim.