Disclosed are systems and related methods for performing cost reduction analyses, and selecting and implementing appropriate cost reduction programs. The systems include electronically enabled tools for automatically performing cost analyses, identifying cost levers, and selecting cost reduction strategies targeting those cost levers. Disclosed embodiments examine a target company's financial data and detect the key levers or drivers that affect the company's cost structure. Thereafter, the identified cost levers are linked to one or more pertinent business capability recommendations where each linked capability recommendation is tailored to provide at least one element of a cost reduction strategy adapted to address one or more of the identified levers. Further, business capability overviews are provided for each capability recommendation, where the overview can contain case studies, implementation plans, integration implications, sample benefit and impact forecasts and other relevant information pertaining to the understanding, assessment and implementation of that particular capability recommendation.