Which costing method helps in estimating values spent and making data-driven decisions for individual jobs?

Job order costing is particularly effective in estimating values spent and making data-driven decisions for individual jobs because it tracks the costs associated with specific projects or orders. In this method, costs are assigned to each job separately, allowing for precise measurement of expenses related to materials, labor, and overhead.

This approach is essential for businesses that produce unique products or provide customized services, as it provides detailed insights into the profitability and cost structure of each individual job. By accumulating costs on a job-by-job basis, managers can analyze performance, assess profitability, and make informed decisions based on actual data. This aids in budgeting, pricing strategies, and resource allocation for future jobs.

The other methods, such as process costing, standard costing, and direct costing, have different applications and may not provide the same level of granularity for individual jobs, making job order costing the most suitable option for this scenario.