Variance analysis

What is a variance analysis?

A variance analysis is a process used to determine if a particular value or component varies within a larger whole. The analysis can be performed in several ways, but usually it is performed as a statistical analysis. This means that a statistician or data analyst examines the data and looks for ways to determine if there are anomalies. If so, an attempt is made to determine why these variations exist and what they might mean.

A variance analysis can also be used to determine if a particular value or component is significantly different from others. In this case, the analysis can also be called a test. For example, a company might have certain criteria for the composition of its workforce. However, if it notices that employees with different criteria are more successful, it could revise its policies.

In many cases, it is possible for discrepancies to exist without there being a problem. In other cases, however, deviations may be a sign of a problem. For example, a decrease in sales at a company could indicate that something is wrong. In this case, a variance analysis would be performed to determine what is causing the decrease. If no apparent cause can be found, this could be a cause for concern and require further investigation.