The first step in materials wastage analysis is to quantify standard quantity and type of direct materials needed for each work item. The actual materials consumed for each work-item can be complied from the material issues and return notes transacted between supervisors and stockholders. In case of materials delivered directly to the construction sites by the supplier, such as ready-mix concrete from site batching plant or fabricated steel for reinforcement from the site steel yard, or aggregate from a crusher, the supplier's delivery note along with the material's return note (if any) can be used to determine the quantity consumed for  a given work-item. These issue slips and delivery notes, when consolidated from the start to completion of the work-item/activity, can give the quantities of materials consumed. The difference between the standard materials requirement and the materials actually consumed indicates the excess (if any) from the accepted materials wastage standard prepared at the time of estimation.

Materials usage  variance  =  Standard acceptable materials wastage - Actual materials wastage.