Estimated versus actual cost
A synthetic close-out example for a fictional vehicle-graphics job, with variance causes and follow-up ownership.
Scenario VG-204 · Harbour Bakes (fictional). All amounts and labour inputs are synthetic teaching data, not market rates, a rate card, supplier evidence, customer pricing or a claimed outcome.
Cost comparison
Synthetic GBP inputs| Cost group | Estimate | Actual | Variance | Recorded cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print film / laminate | £310.00 | £326.00 | +£16.00 | One reprinted rear-door panel after visible defect check |
| Workshop labour | £266.00 | £285.00 | +£19.00 | 0.5 additional synthetic hour for panel relabel |
| Fitting labour | £304.00 | £304.00 | £0.00 | Completed within the fictional planned input |
| Travel / consumables | £120.00 | £112.00 | −£8.00 | Unused fictional allowance |
| Total | £1,000.00 | £1,027.00 | +£27.00 | Net synthetic variance |
Learning and open facts
Close the loop| Type | Record | Owner | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning | Rear-panel quality check found the defect before dispatch | Production owner | Retain check; review cause at next production meeting |
| Unknown | Whether the reprint arose from handling or print output | Production owner | Review fictional batch notes; do not guess |
| Assumption | Actual inputs are complete through fitting close-out | Job owner | Confirm no late supplier line before final review |