material deviation between actual occurrence and expectation in a performance report, which warrants management investigation. Undesirable performance is identified, and corrective action is taken on a timely basis.If the variance is favorable, the reasons therefore are also searched out, so further advantage can be taken of the situation. An example is a variance between actual cost and standard cost for labor in a standard cost accounting system. In the area of data processing, an exception report may reflect those transactions not meeting the standards or requirements for the program being run.