Budgeting & Forecasting › Zero-Based Budgeting

What behavioral and organizational challenges does ZBB face?

Intermediate

Answer

ZBB can feel threatening (jobs/budgets under scrutiny), create resistance and defensive behavior, demand significant management time and analytical skill, and risk gaming of decision packages. Success needs leadership commitment, clear criteria, training, good data, and a constructive culture focused on value rather than blame.
Real-world example Managers resist ZBB fearing cuts, so leadership frames it around value and reinvestment to gain buy-in.

Common follow-ups: Why can ZBB be threatening? | What supports successful ZBB?