How it works is that the analysts' estimates are "informed" by conversations they have with management.  Yes they get better access to management than the average retail shareholder because they function as a conduit for information and for management have 2 or 3 conversations with analysts provides communication to thousands (hopefully) of end points.  The analysts then use their own knowledge of the industry to build cost and sales models. 

It is not a direct process of management saying "we are shipping X units in this month and Y units in that month and our cost structure looks like Z."