zero based budgeting (ZBB)

Definition

Method for preparing cash flow budgets and operating plans which every year must start from scratch with no pre-authorized funds. Unlike the traditional (incremental) budgeting in which past sales and expenditure trends are assumed to continue, ZBB requires each activity to be justified on the basis of cost-benefit analysis, assumes that no present commitment exists, and that there is no balance to be carried forward. By forcing the activities to be ranked according to priority, ZBB provides a systematic basis for resource allocation.

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