Benchmarking and Variance Analysis
The budgeted amounts in the Webb Company illustration are based on analysis of operations
within their own respective companies. We now turn to the situation in which
companies develop standards based on an analysis of operations at other companies.
Benchmarking is the continuous process of comparing the levels of performance in producing
products and services and executing activities against the best levels of performance in
competing companies or in companies having similar processes. When benchmarks are
used as standards, managers and management accountants know that the company will be
competitive in the marketplace if it can attain the standards.
Companies develop benchmarks and calculate variances on items that are the most
important to their businesses. Consider the cost per available seat mile (ASM) for United
Airlines; ASMs equal the total seats in a plane multiplied by the distance traveled, and are
a measure of airline size. Assume United uses data from each of seven competing U.S. airlines
in its benchmark cost comparisons. Summary data are in Exhibit 7-5. The benchmark