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World Bank taps SAS performance management guru for new bookGary Cokins discusses activity-based cost management in recent publicationCARY, NC (Aug. 15, 2007) – SAS’ Gary Cokins, leading expert on performance management, contributed his expertise on activity-based cost management (ABC/M) to “Budgeting and Budgetary Institutions," published in May 2007 by the World Bank. "We were looking for specialized expertise in Activity-Based Costing/Management and selected Gary to write that portion of the book because he was the most qualified expert,” said Anwar Shah, Lead Economist and Program Leader, Public Sector Governance, World Bank Institute. The book discusses the critical role budgeting and budgetary institutions play in resource allocation, government accountability and improved fiscal and social outcomes in developing countries. Cokins describes how, facing increased pressure to make better decisions and use resources more intelligently, government organizations are turning to private businesses and more effective ABC/M systems for assistance. Traditional cost systems, says, Cokins, over-generalize and simplify cost allocations, substantially distorting the accuracy of output costs. Worse yet, they deny managers visibility, transparency and true understanding of the causes of indirect costs. “ABC/M provides valuable information that can be used to make a broad range of decisions, spanning outsourcing, operational planning and budgeting,” Cokins says. “These systems are based on cost modeling, which traces an organization’s direct and indirect expenses to the products, services, channels and eventual users or recipients, such as citizens, that cause those expenses to be incurred.” Integrated with strategy mapping and balanced scorecards, Cokins adds, ABC/M offers government officials the ability to manage increasing fiscal pressure without requiring new sources of revenue or raising taxes. Gary Cokins is Global Product Marketing Manager for Performance Management at SAS, the leader in business intelligence. An internationally recognized expert, speaker, and author and blogger on advanced cost management and performance improvement systems, he is the author of five books, including his newest, “ Performance Management: Finding the Missing Pieces (to Close the Intelligence Gap).“ His other books include "An ABC Manager’s Primer"; "Activity-Based Cost Management: An Executive’s Guide"; and "Activity-Based Cost Management in Government.” SAS continues to lead the ABC/M market thanks to SAS® Activity-Based Management, helping organizations accurately determine the cost and profitability of products, customers and business segments. SAS offers the only ABC/M solution that combines integrated data management, business modeling, reporting and analysis all on one platform. About the World BankThe World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world, providing more than $29 billion in low-interest loans, interest-free credit and grants. The world’s largest source of development assistance, the bank is made of two unique development institutions owned by 185 member countries – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
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Global Product Marketing Manager for Performance Management at SAS |