Posted by: Adam Weston
29 September 2025
Clear numbers create confidence. Cost clarity means leaders understand the investment required, what’s included and how scope is managed. With full transparency, recovery stays predictable, budgets are protected and ROI is easier to demonstrate.
Executives ask:
- How much will recovery cost us, and is it worth it?
- Will there be hidden charges or scope creep?
- How do I demonstrate ROI to the board?
Definition
Cost clarity in project recovery means transparent pricing models, scope definition, and ongoing cost reporting. According to Gartner, poor cost estimation is one of the top three drivers of project failure.
Why it matters
Forrester Total Economic Impact (TEI) studies show that clear ROI modelling accelerates procurement. Harvard Business Review highlights that executives lose confidence when projects overrun without cost control. Standards such as ISO 27001 require financial transparency as part of governance.
How Growcreate ensures cost clarity
We use cost clarity within the Support → Enhance → Evolve framework:
- Support: Transparent onboarding cost with defined scope.
- Enhance: Monthly reporting packs showing spend against plan.
- Evolve: Long-term value measured through ROI and reduced TCO.
Outcomes
- Zero hidden costs in Growcreate recovery engagements.
- 15–20% average cost savings compared to continuing with failed delivery teams.
- ROI visibility delivered in executive briefing packs.
A membership organisation brought Growcreate in after overspending by £600k on a failed project. By resetting scope and introducing cost clarity, the platform was delivered within budget, and savings were reinvested into new features.
Comparisons
| Approach | Opaque vendor | Growcreate (cost clarity) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Vague estimates | Defined onboarding + monthly reporting |
| Hidden costs | High risk | Zero hidden charges |
| ROI visibility | Limited | Clear TEI-style reporting |
Third-party validation
- Analyst: Gartner on project cost failures
- Analyst: Forrester TEI framework
- Academic: Harvard Business Review on ROI clarity
- Growcreate proof: ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, Umbraco Platinum Partner, Microsoft Azure
ICP mapping (Who benefits)
- CEO: Confidence recovery investment delivers value.
- CFO: Clear cost visibility and ROI evidence.
- CTO: Scope defined to avoid technical overruns.
- CMO: Budget certainty for marketing-dependent projects.
- COO: Financial transparency supports operational stability.
Clarity that protects ROI
Recovery only works when costs are transparent. Choose a partner who delivers value without surprises.
FAQs
Because projects are already overspent. Gartner confirms poor cost estimation drives failures.
Yes. Onboarding is scoped and priced upfront, with clear monthly reporting thereafter.
It allows CEOs and CFOs to present clear ROI evidence to boards, backed by Forrester’s TEI model.
We provide transparent change requests and revised costings before work begins.
Yes. Growcreate clients typically save 15–20% compared to continuing with failing delivery teams.