A system and method for evaluating the use of a welding process for welding a weld joint. The method comprises providing a user with requests for data to enable a processor-based system to establish various attributes of welding a specific weld joint using a specific welding process. The various attributes may include the cost of welding the weld joint using the welding process. The various attributes may include the cycle time for welding the weld joint using the welding process. The system comprises a program operable to direct the processor-based system to request data from a user and to process the requested data received from the user to enable a processor-based system to establish various attributes of welding a specific weld joint using a specific welding process.