Feature Vs Tech Debt Payback Calculator

📖 Overview

Competing priorities should be judged by recovery speed and cash effect.

This tool computes payback months for both options under the same assumptions.

Use it to decide where limited engineering capacity creates faster value.

Use these default and higher-pressure example inputs to explore how sensitive this calculator is before using your real numbers.

Compares payback timelines between two investment choices to identify faster recovery of cost.

The Formula

Payback Months = Cost ÷ Monthly Benefit (for each option)

Cost A/B	Upfront investment for each option
Benefit A/B	Expected monthly gain from each option
Payback	Months required to recoup initial cost

💡Lower payback is usually safer under uncertainty, but strategic compounding effects still matter.

Option type	Cost	Monthly benefit	Payback
Feature launch	$28k	$4.2k	6.7 mo
Debt reduction	$18k	$2.6k	6.9 mo
Growth campaign	$40k	$6k	6.7 mo
Ops automation	$22k	$3k	7.3 mo

Use this tool when you need a fast decision during active planning or execution.
Use this before committing money, time, or tradeoffs that are hard to reverse.
Use this to compare options using the same assumptions across scenarios.

Results can be misleading if key inputs are missing, stale, or unrealistic.
Very small or very large values may amplify rounding effects and interpretation risk.
If assumptions change mid-decision, recalculate before acting.

💡 Lower payback often improves short-term resilience.

💡 Also consider strategic upside beyond pure payback speed.

💡 Stress-test benefit assumptions with downside scenarios.

❓ Is lower payback always better?

Not always, but it is usually safer under cash constraints.

❓ Can I compare very different initiatives?

Yes, as long as both benefits are estimated monthly.