Return on investment, or ROI, is a calculation of the most tangible financial gains or benefits that can be expected from a project versus the costs for implementing the suggested intervention or solution. In short, it is the ratio of money gained or lost (realized or unrealized) on an investment relative to the amount of money invested.

This entry describes the differences between a return on investment and a diversity return on investment (DROI®). The entry then focuses on how a DROI is determined, including the ways organizations calculate and apply the DROI to determine the value and cost of a diversity initiative.