Readers Weighing In — Dickeson

Well, sort of. These constructed prices are adjusted or calibrated by judgment calls of estimators and sales personnel of what the competitive pricing will be using “budgeted” hourly rates—perhaps—well, sort of.

Now the word “budgeted” is the same as “forecasted” or “estimated” or “guessed” for some future period of months—typically, although not necessarily, 12 months. “Budgeted” seems a scholarly, well thought-through word. Instead of saying “budgeted hourly rates,” let’s say “guessed hourly rates” for 12 months. Means the same thing but “guessed” lacks that scholarly tone, doesn’t it? Now if we said “guessed” we’d certainly insist on checking the “guessed” rate for a month against the real rates for that month, wouldn’t we?