FastTrack Software
FastTrack Workshop Process
FastTrack ABM User Manual
ABM Training
The internationally recognized FastTrack ABMTM approach was developed to produce fast and accurate results, without requiring extensive software development or system purchases. Whether you are interested in costing products and services, improving processes or developing operational metrics, FastTrack provides both the techniques and free software for rapid, cost-effective implementations.
Our approach is to use the FastTrack ABMTM data process for data gathering – incorporating group working sessions as well as structured individual interviews to:
We have:
- Rapidly define and cost Activities and Products
- Create process maps for key and significant activities
- Identify non-value added activities and potential process improvements
- Develop meaningful performance metrics
- Develop process improvement plans that produce results
These working sessions are fast-paced, interactive and hands-on and thus enable participants to both understand ABC/ABM and apply it to their operations. By working in teams, we help create the level of understanding and consensus required to move forward with process improvement.
BAE SYSTEMS' FASTTRACK ABM software is the principal tool used during these working sessions. FASTTRACK ABM is a PC-based application that runs in most Windows environments. This software is a powerful, yet easy to use application that provides clients with a logical progression of tasks to complete activity costing and product/service costing.
Our combined FastTrack process and software (or other commercial ABC software) provides a powerful one-two punch to ABM implementation. Based on our experience, customers should expect a 15 to 1 return on investment.
Our experience in implementation and training spans commercial and government sector clients, ranging from services and IT organizations to manufacturing and distribution.
The Benefits of FastTrack:
- Fast - working sessions are completed within five days
- Builds Group Consensus on activities, costs, and process improvement opportunities
- Expertise - uses a “learning by doing” approach which builds in-house expertise in Activity Based Costing/Management
- Results - Common sense approach produces meaningful & measurable results in days instead of months
- Free, Easy-to-Use Software – remains onsite with group/manager
FASTTRACK ABM was developed to simplify the process of creating and modifying activity based costing (ABC) models. The software was designed to make the process of creating an ABC model as simple as possible, so that novice users could produce meaningful analyses with minimal instruction.
For over ten years FastTrack has been the easiest and fastest ABC software tool on the market. Combined with our FastTrack implementation approach, you can see results in days versus months – often generating a $15 return for every $1 invested in ABM. But best of all, the fully functional ABC software is free for internal implementation. Consultants who use with other organizations are charged a nominal fee. Please call or e-mail to receive your free copy of FastTrack.ABMTM Version 6.
FastTrack.ABMTM includes:
- Simple point-and-click interfaces for developing models quickly
- Quick response calculations
- Low memory requirements
- Printable or exportable reports to a variety of formats, including interfaces to other ABC tools, such as OROS.
- Intranet deployable
- Individual models or the ability to create Enterprise Models with multiple sub-models
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Selected Customer Feedback:
David Goldrick – “Powerful, easy and simple tool for fast results with little investment”
International Paper, South Carolina
Rose Ann Arteaga – “More user friendly and faster than 4.0. Love the roll up feature, this may eliminate a position of compiling data from models for comparison”
Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX.
View the FastTrack ABC Manual
A typical FastTrack.ABMTM workshop consists of five ½ day sessions. During the workshops, teams participate in fast-paced sessions where they learn the fundamentals of ABC/ABM and define departmental activities and outputs of those activities. Teams then trace resources (costs) to the activities. The calculated activity costs are traced to the products/services they support. The group also develops process maps for key and significant activities, identifies areas for improvement, and develops performance measurements.
FastTrack ABMTM is an interactive approach to ABM implementation using cross-functional teams. The team-based approach has several advantages. First, it supplements formal ABM training with a “learning by doing” workshop. This enables workshop participants to gain a thorough understanding of ABM as it applies to their environment. Second, these cross-functional teams build a group consensus and understanding of the major activities, the drivers (causes) of those activities, as well as the resources (costs) which are consumed in performing those activities. Third, by understanding the entire activity analysis process the group is empowered to develop and recommend changes to existing processes and activities in order to eliminate waste and streamline the operation. Finally, by using this approach, the customer develops in-house expertise in ABM, enabling the sustainment and expansion of ABM benefits with little or no outside support.
BAE SYSTEMS provides the FastTrack software tool to simplify the manipulation of ABM data, to provide a repository for ABM data, and to ensure the sustainability of ABM at the Customer. This tool remains with the customer upon project completion.
Typical outputs from each Functional Area ABM Study
- Costed Activities and Customers: Identifies expected costs and outputs and includes FastTrack ABMTM models. This develops the data for chargeback/reimbursable rate structures, as well as best practice/ outsourcing comparisons, and can be used to develop out-year budgets. Cost models can be updated on an as-needed basis.
- Quantified non-value added and root cause analysis: Describes primary areas where improvements should be considered, including quantifying inefficiencies. Provides return on investment data for decision-making.
- Process maps: Where appropriate, process maps are developed and produced to define the sequence of activities, their cost, and outputs.
- Performance metrics: Identifying appropriate cost, quality and time measurements for evaluating current/future performance and benchmarking. Links with Balanced Scorecard to develop functional area scorecards.
- Prioritized List of Improvements: Workshop participants develop a prioritized list of opportunities to streamline and reduce activity cost. This list includes the anticipated cost savings resulting from the improvement.
- Improvement Action Plans: Prioritized improvement plans include milestones and responsibilities.
- Trained study and implementation staff: BAE SYSTEMS training as part of the working sessions provides an in-house capability to execute Activity Based Management and continuous improvement throughout the organization in the future with little or no outside support.
Sample Results from Manufacturing and Customer/Product Profitability Studies:
The purpose of the training session shall be to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of ABC/M and how to use ABC/M techniques, including the following:
- Identifying the cost of significant activities
- Developing meaningful performance measurements
- Identifying non-value added activities and process improvement opportunities
- Developing accurate costs of products and services, and
- Streamlining business activities and processes
The training session shall be conducted over a period of two days. A typical training session includes up to 20-25 personnel, but may include more as needed. These personnel should include ABC/M team leads and management personnel who are interested in ABC/M techniques or will later be participating in the studies. The following is the typical two-day agenda:
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Day 1
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8:00 - 12:00 p.m.
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History and Development of ABC/M
Concepts and Terminology
Applying ABM in your Organization
ABC/M Case Study
Other Applications of ABC/M Data
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12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
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1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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Activity Analysis – Defining Activities
Tracing Costs to Activities
Measuring Output
Developing Product/Service Costs
Process Improvement
Understanding Cost Drivers
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Day 2
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8:00 - 12:00 p.m.
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Identifying Non-Value Added Activities
Mapping Processes
Applying Streamlining Techniques
Developing Performance Measurement
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12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
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1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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Software Lab & FastTrack Model Development
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The second day includes a case study to familiarize participants with ABC/M data analysis and the use of ABM Software. Each participant shall receive a free copy of BAE SYSTEM’s FastTrack.ABMTM Software. The participants shall be responsible for providing their own PC or laptop (minimum of 1 PC per 2 people).
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