Providing valuable insight into the latest practice and design philosophies, this collection of readings and cases analyzes the defects that exist with traditional cost management systems, and shows how to design systems that will benefit a wide range of organizations. Opens with a thorough introduction to cost systems - with discussions on their use, product and process costing, operational control, financial reporting, and strategic relevance - and explores target costing, and ABC and product design and development. Considers the foundations of activity-based costing, including its necessity for companies, cost hierarchy, and activity attributes, and dedicates entire sections to the use of cost systems for managing customer and supplier relationships, and for designing and developing new products. Second Edition features include many new cases and a critical study of service industry and activity-based budgeting. For management consultants, CFO's, and controllers.

Offering a multidisciplinary roadmap for the design, development, and implementation of a strategic cost system, this book shows how to design a cost system to become a more effective decision-making tool and a source of competitive advantage for the organisation. It describes how to structure a cost systems design project and discuss the issues that should be addressed upfront from a management, operations, and costing perspective. Includes a URL site containing key terms and helpful Excel templates. Highlights the logistics of putting together and managing the project team. Addresses the technical and political issues that may arise as the project unfolds.

An indispensable guide for managers concerned with cost, strategy, and business re-engineering. Experts on the strategic use of cost data, the authors show how stategic cost management is revolutionizing accounting practices in leading companies. Includes numerous examples. 120 line drawings.

Find Practical Solutions to Civil Engineering Design and Cost Management Problems A guide to successfully designing, estimating, and scheduling a civil engineering project, Integrated Design and Cost Management for Civil Engineers shows how practicing professionals can design fit-for-use solutions within established time frames and reliable budgets. This text combines technical compliance with practical solutions in relation to cost planning, estimating, time, and cost control. It incorporates solutions that are technically sound as well as cost effective and time efficient. It focuses on the integration of design and construction based on solid engineering foundations contained within a code of ethics, and navigates engineers through the complete process of project design, pricing, and tendering. Well illustrated The book uses cases studies to illustrate principles and processes. Although they center on Australasia and Southeast Asia, the principles are internationally relevant. The material details procedures that emphasize the correct quantification and planning of works, resulting in reliable cost and time predictions. It also works toward minimizing the risk of losing business through cost blowouts or losing profits through underestimation. This Text Details the Quest for Practical Solutions That: Are cost effective Can be completed within a reasonable timeline Conform to relevant quality controls Are framed within appropriate contract documents Satisfy ethical professional procedures, and Address the client’s brief through a structured approach to integrated design and cost management Designed to help civil engineers develop and apply a multitude of skill bases, Integrated Design and Cost Management for Civil Engineers can aid them in maintaining relevancy in appropriate design justifications, guide work tasks, control costs, and structure project timelines. The book is an ideal link between a civil engineering course and practice.

How to accurately estimate, in advance, the cost of producing products or services by means of the design-to-cost method, which systematically constrains design goals according to available funds. This book shows how to use value engineering, cost estimating, and cost control to devise, and adhere to, realistic cost goals. Touches on techniques from management methods to specific engineering approaches, and provides actual case studies of projects and services that have now become affordable through the application of the design-to-cost method.

Cost and Effect is written for the general manager, and explains activity-based costing systems. It focuses on creating integrated, knowledge-based systems that provide managers with meaningful information, not just data.