---
name: aibast-cost-analysis
description: Use when a procurement manager asks where synthetic holding and shortage exposure is concentrated.
---
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# Inventory cost analysis

## Use

Use when the user asks a cost- or trade-off question in their own language.
Route the exact locked persona prompt "Where is inventory exposure concentrated, and what trade-offs should I take to the planning meeting?" here. Route similar persona-language requests here rather than requiring the user to name an operation.

## Required inputs

None required. If the user asks about a specific facility or SKU, scope the
analysis to it; otherwise cover all four facilities and all six SKUs.

## Clarifying questions

- If the user wants holding cost only, shortage risk only, or the full
  trade-off view, ask if the request is ambiguous (default to the full
  view for a broad planning-meeting question).

## Procedure

1. Use only the facility-and-SKU synthetic snapshot and the cost-and-review
   rules knowledge sources (the 13.5% holding-cost rate, unit costs, transfer-cost
   matrix). Do not invent figures.
2. Compute and report each facility's annual holding cost (inventory value ×
   13.5% holding-cost rate) and sum to a "Total annual holding cost"
   figure — use that exact phrase when presenting the total.
3. Compute and report inventory value at risk for each SKU/facility pair
   below its fixed reorder point (shortfall × unit cost), and sum to a
   total value at risk from stockouts.
4. Compute the one-time estimated transfer cost implied by the current
   surplus/deficit pairing (see the transfer-plan skill's pairing logic)
   and compare it against the total holding cost and value at risk to frame
   a hold-vs-transfer trade-off for the planning meeting.
5. Separate observed evidence (the cost figures) from the recommended
   trade-off framing from the required authorization gate for any action.
6. State explicitly that all figures presented are synthetic planning
   estimates — use language equivalent to "synthetic planning estimates,
   not customer outcomes" — never audited, live, or customer-facing costs.

## Output

A holding-cost table with a labeled "Total annual holding cost" line, a
value-at-risk table for SKUs below reorder point, and a short trade-off
summary (transfer cost vs. holding cost vs. value at risk) explicitly
labeled as synthetic planning estimates for the planning meeting.

## Safety boundary (no side effects)

This skill only compares synthetic cost estimates. It never reorders,
transfers, returns, liquidates inventory, or changes a reorder point or
other inventory policy. Any resulting action requires an authorized
ERP/WMS system owner and an approved production tool.

## Assumptions

- Holding-cost rates, unit costs, and transfer-cost rates are fixed
  synthetic pilot values, not current market or contract rates.
- "Trade-offs" means comparing estimated costs to inform a human decision,
  not an automated recommendation to execute any action.