On this page 6 steps
GET READY
Before you start
- Included access
- Included with the AI products
- Trident product
- Insights or Automation (Act)
- What this does
- Reviews information without changing records
- A paired Trident connection with permission to view the relevant job and costs.
- The job number and any materiality threshold you want used.
IN YOUR AI CONVERSATION
Start with this request
Using Trident, review the costs for Job 12345. Compare estimated and actual material, labor, burden and service costs. Investigate the largest variances and identify anything the data does not explain. Do not change any records.
Adapt the example to your own records and outcome. The guide does not run the request.
FOLLOW THE WORKFLOW
One step at a time.
Read what happens, what you provide and the result to look for. Use the step reference when you need help.
- 01
COSTREV-01
Identify the job
Provide the job number and verify the returned record before comparing costs.
Your part
Confirm the job and company/database.
Look for this result
The intended job is selected.
Need help at this step?
Check the identifier and permissions if the job is missing.
- 02
COSTREV-02
Load estimated costs
Review the available estimated material, labor, burden, service and other cost components.
Your part
Note any component that is unavailable or not applicable.
Look for this result
The estimate used as the comparison basis is visible.
Need help at this step?
Ask which estimate and quantity basis are being used when several figures are available.
- 03
COSTREV-03
Load actual costs
Review the recorded actual activity and costs, including any visible incomplete or unposted activity.
Your part
Check whether the period and activity are sufficiently current for your question.
Look for this result
The actual-cost basis and visible gaps are explained.
Need help at this step?
Recent time, receipts or services may not yet be reflected. Confirm the underlying activity before concluding a cost is missing.
- 04
COSTREV-04
Calculate major variances
Compare estimated and actual amounts by cost component. Focus on meaningful differences rather than percentages alone.
Your part
Provide a materiality threshold when you need one.
Look for this result
A comparison table highlights the largest differences.
Need help at this step?
When the estimate is zero or unavailable, use the amount and explanation rather than an invalid percentage.
- 05
COSTREV-05
Investigate variance drivers
Trace significant differences to operations, entries, quantities, materials, purchases or services where the available evidence supports it.
Your part
Add business context if it explains an otherwise unusual result.
Look for this result
Likely drivers are linked to specific evidence; unresolved items remain visible.
Need help at this step?
Ask for the entry or activity behind a conclusion. Do not infer that every variance is a data-entry error.
- 06
COSTREV-06
Summarize profitability/cost findings
Read the key cost findings and next checks. Selling price can add context when available, but the cost review remains read-only.
Your part
Choose a variance for deeper investigation.
Look for this result
You can explain the major differences and what remains to verify.
Need help at this step?
Use COSTREV and the relevant step when a comparison or drill-down does not match the expected result.
WHEN YOU FINISH
The expected result
An estimated-versus-actual comparison, the largest variance drivers, unresolved questions and recommended checks. The review does not recost a job or correct entries.
KEEP THE NEXT QUESTION FOCUSED
Where to go next.
← Back to Skills & TrainingSK-004 · Guide/draft Skill version 0.1 · Reviewed 2026-11-04. Confirm the installed Skill version when reporting an execution problem.