The Activity Dictionary is a comprehensive reference Tool that will enhance and streamline any company's Activity Based Cost Management program. The Activity Dictionary simplifies the Activity Analysis process by listing the typical Activities by function or department. The Activity Dictionary is vital to top Implementation Team Performance....puts the Implementation team in control of the interviewing process. The Activity Dictionary supports consistent Activity definitions...necessary for Benchmarking. Activities are defined not only by Department and Function, but also by Business Process. Lastly, the Activity Dictionary will save your company time and money, by reducing your ABM implementation time.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Activity-based costing (ABC) practitioners, consultants, and managers regard the interviewing process as the heart and soul of an ABC implementation project.... -- MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING/MARCH 1993
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING/MARCH 1993 ELAINE GOLDMAN, EDITOR Tom Pryor, ICMS, Inc.,
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING/MARCH 1993 ELAINE GOLDMAN, EDITOR Tom Pryor, ICMS, Inc.,
"Activity-based costing (ABC) practitioners, consultants, and managers regard the interviewing process as the heart and soul of an ABC implementation project. More than a reliable data collection tool; it educates the employees about ABC and activity-based management (ABM). More important, it ensures the success of the project by assisting in building a sense of ownership among the employees. Therefore, it is imperative that the interviewer--who may be an external ABC consultant or an internal member of the project team--be well prepared, not just on the subjects of ABC and ABM but on the activities of the various departments. Other ABC implementation project teams have found this to be a daunting task. In fact, one of the major reasons given for the dearth of small-to-medium-sized ABC consulting firms is the absence of experts knowledgeable in the multiple activities of most firms. The ICMS Activity Dictionary, to a considerable extent, eliminates this major barrier to successfully implementing ABC.
Obviously, companies differ in the many activities, processes, and procedures they perform to produce a product or service. A book of this kind can only provide a list of the significant generic activities performed within each functional area of a typical organization. Consequently, the relevance of these generic activities always depends on individual firms.
This book serves its basic purpose. An interviewer will be prepared to assume the role of teacher, motivator, and facilitator during the interviewing process. The dictionary improves the interview technique and ensures that activities are defined clearly, consistently, and at the right level of detail.
The Activity Dictionary provides multiple cost drivers for each activity that direct and focus minds on the need to eliminate waste and improve efficiency by attacking the underlying causes of costs. Input and output measures also are provided for each activity, which helps companies in selecting activity measures and drivers and provide a good guide to activity budgeting and performance measurement.
Made up of three major parts, the book is arranged in a logically structured, easy-to-use format. The Function section is divided into the major functions of a typical organization (accounting, advertising, computers, engineering, general administration, human resources, legal, manufacturing, marketing, materials management, quality, research and development, and sales). Each page offers ample information with which to perform an activity analysis of a typical primary activity. The Secondary section in a general way describes the typical secondary activities that support an organization's primary activities. Finally, and arguably, the most important part is the Business Process section. It is divided into the major business processes of a typical organization, enhancing the cross-functional viewpoint provided by an ABC information system. The process map that results from this view of the organization has become a key element in the design of a ABC system.
This invaluable and comprehensive reference tool for ABM and ABC is not without flaws. Perhaps the most significant among them is the omission of the generic activities in service organizations such as banks and hospitals. Maps and flowcharts also are omitted. It is hoped that future editions will fill these gaps.
Activity Dictionary belongs in the library of every ABC practitioner, consultant, and manager." Augustine I. Duru, CPA, MBA ABC Consultant Charlotte, N.C. -- Augustine I. Duru, CPA, MBA ABC Consultant Charlotte, N.C.
About the Author
TOM PRYOR is President of Integrated Cost Management Systems. ICMS is a training, coaching and software firm that specializes in Activity Based Cost Management (ABM/ABC).
Tom was the focus of a Business Week magazine cover story in June, 1988, entitled "The Productivity Paradox: That Old-time Accounting Isn't Good Enough Anymore."
Tom writes numerous magazine and newsletter articles each year and is a frequently requested speaker and workshop facilitator.
Prior to creating ICMS in 1988, Tom held financial management positions with Motorola, Johnson & Johnson, and General Motors. Tom earned his B.B.A. in Finance at the University of Texas-Arlington.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful in my ABC implementation,
By A Customer
This review is from: Activity Dictionary: A Comprehensive Reference Tool for ABM and ABC: 2000 Edition (Plastic Comb)
I thought most consultants keep this kind of information to themselves. This book is worth its weight in gold.
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