City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit Description

Since 2004, City of Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has undertaken a series of fiscal reforms that have allowed the City to improve municipal services during financial hard times. A key reform has been the City's adoption of the budgeting approach called activity-based costing (ABC budgeting). With ABC budgeting, City officials have been able to make budgetary decisions based on detailed information about the expenses and revenues associated with discrete City activities. The transition to ABC budgeting from line-item budgeting that most municipalities use has not been easy, however.As first step, Somerville officials developed an inventory of the main programs of each of Somerville's 18 departments and the costs associated with each program. Calculating costs at the program level required a less detailed analysis than calculating costs at the activity level. They identified the activities associated with each program and established performance objectives for each activity. During the fall of 2004, HKS Prof. Linda Bilmes and her students helped Somerville officials accomplish these steps. Together, this information allowed officials and residents to understand for the first time how the City's expenditure of tax dollars translated directly into the City's delivery of services that constituents valued. Encouraged by the results, the Mayor asked Prof. Bilmes and her students to focus on a municipal activity of particular concern to officials and residents: traffic enforcement. Mayor Curtatone asked whether increasing enforcement of the City's traffic laws might pay for itself through increased citation revenue. The case walks through the steps Bilmes and her students took to determine the answer, including allocating personnel expenditures to the activity of traffic enforcement, allocating non-personnel expenditures to that activity through selection and use of an appropriate cost driver, and calculation of the revenue generated from traffic enforcement.

Case Description City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Strategic Managment Tools Used in Case Study Analysis of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

STEP 1. Problem Identification in City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study

STEP 2. External Environment Analysis - PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study

STEP 3. Industry Specific / Porter Five Forces Analysis of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study

STEP 4. Evaluating Alternatives / SWOT Analysis of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study

STEP 5. Porter Value Chain Analysis / VRIO / VRIN Analysis City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study

STEP 6. Recommendations City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study

STEP 7. Basis of Recommendations for City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study

Case Analysis of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit is a Harvard Business (HBR) Case Study on Global Business , Texas Business School provides HBR case study assignment help for just $9. Texas Business School(TBS) case study solution is based on HBR Case Study Method framework, TBS expertise & global insights. City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit is designed and drafted in a manner to allow the HBR case study reader to analyze a real-world problem by putting reader into the position of the decision maker. City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study will help professionals, MBA, EMBA, and leaders to develop a broad and clear understanding of casecategory challenges. City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit will also provide insight into areas such as – wordlist , strategy, leadership, sales and marketing, and negotiations.

Case Study Solutions Background Work

City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study solution is focused on solving the strategic and operational challenges the protagonist of the case is facing. The challenges involve – evaluation of strategic options, key role of Global Business, leadership qualities of the protagonist, and dynamics of the external environment. The challenge in front of the protagonist, of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit, is to not only build a competitive position of the organization but also to sustain it over a period of time.

Strategic Management Tools Used in Case Study Solution

The City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study solution requires the MBA, EMBA, executive, professional to have a deep understanding of various strategic management tools such as SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.

Texas Business School Approach to Global Business Solutions

In the Texas Business School, City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study solution – following strategic tools are used - SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.

We have additionally used the concept of supply chain management and leadership framework to build a comprehensive case study solution for the case – City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Step 1 – Problem Identification of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit - Harvard Business School Case Study

The first step to solve HBR City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study solution is to identify the problem present in the case. The problem statement of the case is provided in the beginning of the case where the protagonist is contemplating various options in the face of numerous challenges that Budgeting Somerville is facing right now. Even though the problem statement is essentially – “Global Business” challenge but it has impacted by others factors such as communication in the organization, uncertainty in the external environment, leadership in Budgeting Somerville, style of leadership and organization structure, marketing and sales, organizational behavior, strategy, internal politics, stakeholders priorities and more.

Step 2 – External Environment Analysis

Texas Business School approach of case study analysis – Conclusion, Reasons, Evidences - provides a framework to analyze every HBR case study. It requires conducting robust external environmental analysis to decipher evidences for the reasons presented in the City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit.

The external environment analysis of City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit will ensure that we are keeping a tab on the macro-environment factors that are directly and indirectly impacting the business of the firm.

What is PESTEL Analysis? Briefly Explained

PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study. PESTEL analysis of " City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.

How to do PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis? What are the components of PESTEL Analysis?

As mentioned above PESTEL Analysis has six elements – political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal. All the six elements are explained in context with City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit macro-environment and how it impacts the businesses of the firm.

How to do PESTEL Analysis for City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

To do comprehensive PESTEL analysis of case study – City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit , we have researched numerous components under the six factors of PESTEL analysis.

Political Factors that Impact City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Political factors impact seven key decision making areas – economic environment, socio-cultural environment, rate of innovation & investment in research & development, environmental laws, legal requirements, and acceptance of new technologies.

Policy Making Impact on City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Government policies have significant impact on the business environment of any country. The firm in “ City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit ” needs to navigate these policy decisions to create either an edge for itself or reduce the negative impact of the policy as far as possible.

Data safety laws – The countries in which Budgeting Somerville is operating, firms are required to store customer data within the premises of the country. Budgeting Somerville needs to restructure its IT policies to accommodate these changes. In the EU countries, firms are required to make special provision for privacy issues and other laws.

Competition Regulations – Numerous countries have strong competition laws both regarding the monopoly conditions and day to day fair business practices. City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit has numerous instances where the competition regulations aspects can be scrutinized.

Import restrictions on products – Before entering the new market, Budgeting Somerville in case study City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit" should look into the import restrictions that may be present in the prospective market.

Export restrictions on products – Apart from direct product export restrictions in field of technology and agriculture, a number of countries also have capital controls. Budgeting Somerville in case study “ City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit ” should look into these export restrictions policies.

Foreign Direct Investment Policies – Government policies favors local companies over international policies, Budgeting Somerville in case study “ City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit ” should understand in minute details regarding the Foreign Direct Investment policies of the prospective market.

Taxation & Regulation Impact on City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Corporate Taxes – The rate of taxes is often used by governments to lure foreign direct investments or increase domestic investment in a certain sector. Corporate taxation can be divided into two categories – taxes on profits and taxes on operations. Taxes on profits number is important for companies that already have a sustainable business model, while taxes on operations is far more significant for companies that are looking to set up new plants or operations.

Tariffs – Chekout how much tariffs the firm needs to pay in the “ City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit ” case study. The level of tariffs will determine the viability of the business model that the firm is contemplating. If the tariffs are high then it will be extremely difficult to compete with the local competitors. But if the tariffs are between 5-10% then Budgeting Somerville can compete against other competitors.

Government Scheme & Subsidies Impact on City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Research and Development Subsidies and Policies – Governments often provide tax breaks and other incentives for companies to innovate in various sectors of priority. Managers at City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study have to assess whether their business can benefit from such government assistance and subsidies.

Consumer protection – Different countries have different consumer protection laws. Managers need to clarify not only the consumer protection laws in advance but also legal implications if the firm fails to meet any of them.

Political System & Stability, and its Impact on City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Political System and Its Implications – Different political systems have different approach to free market and entrepreneurship. Managers need to assess these factors even before entering the market.

Freedom of Press is critical for fair trade and transparency. Countries where freedom of press is not prevalent there are high chances of both political and commercial corruption.

Corruption level – Budgeting Somerville needs to assess the level of corruptions both at the official level and at the market level, even before entering a new market. To tackle the menace of corruption – a firm should have a clear SOP that provides managers at each level what to do when they encounter instances of either systematic corruption or bureaucrats looking to take bribes from the firm.

Independence of judiciary – It is critical for fair business practices. If a country doesn’t have independent judiciary then there is no point entry into such a country for business.

Government attitude towards trade unions – Different political systems and government have different attitude towards trade unions and collective bargaining. The firm needs to assess – its comfort dealing with the unions and regulations regarding unions in a given market or industry. If both are on the same page then it makes sense to enter, otherwise it doesn’t.

Economic Factors that Impact City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Social Factors that Impact City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Technological Factors that Impact City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Environmental Factors that Impact City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Legal Factors that Impact City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit

Step 3 – Industry Specific Analysis

What is Porter Five Forces Analysis

PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study. PESTEL analysis of " City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.

Step 4 – SWOT Analysis / Internal Environment Analysis

Step 5 – Porter Value Chain / VRIO / VRIN Analysis

Step 6 – Evaluating Alternatives & Recommendations

Step 7 – Basis for Recommendations

References :: City of Somerville:Using Activity-Based Budgeting to Improve Performance in the Somerville Traffic Unit case study solution