Glossary term

Time to value

Time required for an AI initiative to produce measurable business value or reach break-even against the alternative approach.

Distinct from payback period in emphasis: time to value asks when the first credible result shows up, while payback period asks when cumulative benefit crosses cumulative cost. A program can have fast time to value and a slow payback period, or the reverse — citing one without the other tells only half the story a board needs.