Janice Lin Lin

US Patent:

20060036458, Feb 16, 2006

Filed:

Aug 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/919063

Inventors:

David Thursfield - Cheltenham, GB
Cindy Jefferson - Detroit MI, US
Chris Ray - Billericay, GB
Dan Fortunato - Sylvania Township OH, US
Janice Lin - Plymouth MI, US
Lee Kremzier - Farmington Hills MI, US
Edward Blanch - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
William Lutton - Danbury, GB

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06Q 99/00

US Classification:

705001000

Abstract:

Embodiments include receiving into one or more computer databases a plurality of cost factors associated with supplying a commodity for vehicle manufacturing. A zero-based cost estimate for the commodity is calculated based on one or more of the plurality of cost factors. A current cost for the commodity is received into the one or more computer databases, and a cost variance between the current cost for the commodity and the zero-based cost estimate is calculated. One or more actions for reducing the cost variance may be received into one or more of the computer databases. The zero-based cost estimate for the commodity, the current cost for the commodity, the cost variance, and the one or more actions for reducing the cost variance may be displayed on one or more interactive user interfaces. A cross-functional team including representatives from engineering, purchasing and finance may implement the methodology.