Book Description
Combining best reporting practices with the latest information technology
Finance professionals need to constantly search for more efficient ways to increase the scope and effectiveness of the reporting process, while at the same time minimizing operational costs. Performance Management and Reporting Best Practices weds best practices to the ultimate measures-better business decisions and better results-defining clear action plans for successfully developing, implementing, and profiting from the strategic application of key performance metrics. David Axson's reader-friendly guide combines reporting best practices with the most recent developments in information technology, allowing managers to automate and streamline the reporting process to meet their unique needs. Drawing upon real-world examples, he explains how leading-edge companies are redesigning the financial planning process, making it more responsive, adaptive, useful, simple, powerful, and able to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage.
David Axson (Akron, OH) is Managing Director of AnswerThink Consulting Group's CEO/Solutions practice area.


From the Inside Flap
For anyone who has questioned the value of the budget process, been frustrated at the inability to get good information quickly, wondered why so much time is spent developing forecasts that are always wrong, or been angered by the repeated failure of technology to deliver on its promises, there is a solution. Best Practices in Planning and Management Reporting unites the disparate functions of strategic planning, management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting, reducing critical time lags, capitalizing on new technology, and giving new meaning to organizational strategy. David Axson’s forward-thinking text defines clear action plans for successfully developing, implementing, and profiting from the strategic application of key performance metrics. Part One, "Unlocking the Potential of Best Practices," makes the case for best practices as a vehicle for performance improvement, describing the evolution of benchmarking research and advancing a basic framework for putting best practices into action. Part Two, "Best Practices," describes the principal best practices for each element of the planning and management reporting process, including strategic, operational, and financial planning; management reporting; and forecasting. For each, the advantages of appropriate technologies are discussed. Part Three, "Moving from Data to Decisions," analyzes the critical success factors for implementation and offers predictions of the future evolution of planning and management reporting. This book also: Shows how the planning and reporting processes use performance measures to define requirements Describes how to build an information delivery process to support best-in-class management reporting Explains how leading companies are rethinking and redesigning the overall financial planning process to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage Contains practical, usable benchmark metrics and tools As cofounder of The Hackett Group, the originator and industry leader in benchmarking best practices, the author draws upon years of experience in helping clients streamline their operations and realize their organizational strategies. Best Practices in Planning and Management Reporting will help any business unite its reporting and budgeting functions, thereby achieving its strategic objectives.


Back Cover Copy
Put your numbers to work "Best Practices in Planning and Management Reporting is a must-read for anyone contemplating finance transformation. David Axson provides an insider’s view into the successful techniques and transformational strategies of The Hackett Group and their parent company, Answerthink." –Michael Geltzeiler CFO, Reader’s Digest "In this new era of corporate governance, where the need for more and better information is a heightened priority, David Axson’s book provides timely insight and instruction for companies looking to leverage technology to enable best practices. When combined with process and organizational changes, companies can achieve significant efficiencies and dramatic improvements in information transparency, business planning, and performance management." –Renee Lorton Senior Vice President and General Manager Financial Management Solutions PeopleSoft, Inc. "David Axson’s insights into the practical application of best practices combined with The Hackett Group’s benchmarks provide a valuable guide to implementing effective planning and management reporting processes. Organizational learning and improvement in this area is crucial to manage effectively in today’s volatile business world." –Richard B. Kelson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Alcoa Inc.


About the Author
DAVID A. J. AXSON is a cofounder of the Hackett Group, an Answerthink company. Over the last twenty years he has worked with over 200 organizations around the world on designing and implementing best practice solutions. A native of Great Britain, he lives with his wife and two children in Bath, Ohio. He can be contacted at daxson@data-to-decisions.com.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

For anyone who has questioned the value of the budget process, been frustrated at the inability to get good information quickly, wondered why so much time is spent developing forecasts that are always wrong, or been angered by the repeated failure of technology to deliver on its promises, there is a solution. Best Practices in Planning and Management Reporting unites the disparate functions of strategic planning, management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting, reducing critical time lags, capitalizing on new technology, and giving new meaning to organizational strategy.

David Axson's forward-thinking text defines clear action plans for successfully developing, implementing, and profiting from the strategic application of key performance metrics. Part One, "Unlocking the Potential of Best Practices," makes the case for best practices as a vehicle for performance improvement, describing the evolution of benchmarking research and advancing a basic framework for putting best practices into action. Part Two, "Best Practices," describes the principal best practices for each element of the planning and management reporting process, including strategic, operational, and financial planning; management reporting; and forecasting. For each, the advantages of appropriate technologies are discussed. Part Three, "Moving from Data to Decisions," analyzes the critical success factors for implementation and offers predictions of the future evolution of planning and management reporting.