Observation
Savings appear when a process is the same most of the time, happens often enough to matter, and fails expensively. If any of those fail, automation usually adds monitoring debt.
Why it happens
Hidden costs show up as the only expert leaving, inputs changing quietly, and no owner for drift. The organization has not reduced cost - it has concentrated risk.
Leadership implication
Automate the boring middle of a proven process. Keep humans at the judgment edges. Review results on a schedule, not only when something breaks.