How can I compare the cost at two specific points in time?
Analytical Cornerstone cost benchmarking
Table of Contents
How can I compare the cost at two specific points in time?
Analytical Cornerstone allows users to compare two quarters at a time—at both the Market level and Mill level. You may choose any two quarters from any years. This feature is especially useful when analyzing cost trends, margin pressure, or operational changes over time.
How to Compare Dates
1. Select the Initial Cost Date
Start on a report such as the Cash Cost Curve.
- Select the Cost Date you want to use as your primary view.
- This will be your “main” date in the comparison.
2. Activate Compare Dates
- Click the Compare Dates button.
- A compare dates popover will appear.
3. Choose the Quarter to Compare With
- In the Cost Date for Comparison dropdown, select the second quarter you want to compare against.
- Click Compare Dates
How the Comparison Displays
Once Compare Dates is active, the report refreshes and shows:
• Data-Comparison Report (default view)
- Primary data (the more recent quarter) displays in grey/yellow.
- Scenario data (usually the older quarter) displays in yellow.
• Compare Dates Control Box
A Compare Dates box appears between the report options and the report tabs. It will:
- Show the quarter being compared
- Provide an actions menu allowing you to:
- Remove comparison
- Select a new comparison date
• Multiple Tabs for Both Quarters
When comparing dates, most reports generate a set of tabs containing:
- Data for the newer quarter
- Data for the older (scenario) quarter
- The Data Comparison report
- A graph for the newer quarter
- A graph for the older (scenario) quarter
- A graphic comparison (line chart)
This provides a complete, multilayered view of how costs or performance metrics have shifted over time.
When to Change the Balance Date
Understanding whether to adjust the Balance Date is essential for accurate analysis.
✔ Keep the Latest Balance Date
Do this when your goal is to:
- Compare the latest operational configuration of mills
- Apply different Cost Dates (different quarterly unit costs)
- Keep all mill data consistent with the most recently validated engineering review
This is ideal for cost trend analysis when equipment configurations have not changed.
✔ Change the Balance Date
Do this when you need to:
- Reflect a mill investment (e.g., rebuild, upgrade, new boiler, new PM)
- Include mills that have since closed or exclude mills that were not operating at the time
- Evaluate the impact of a process change
- Revisit historical operational configurations
Changing the Balance Date ensures the underlying mill setup matches the period you are analyzing.
Summary
| Task | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Compare costs across two quarters | Use Compare Dates |
| Assess how costs changed due to market conditions | Keep Balance Date fixed, change Cost Date |
| Evaluate equipment changes, investments, closures | Change Balance Date |
| Study historical mill configurations | Change Balance Date |
| Study current configuration with historical costs | Keep Balance Date |