Skip to contentSkip to search

Cost reduction

Cost reduction seeks a sustainable decrease in the resources or expenditure needed to deliver required value. It can involve redesign, improved processes, fewer errors, better purchasing or removal of unnecessary activity. Unlike maintaining a budget, it challenges the underlying cost level. Evaluate total and life-cycle effects, quality and whether resources can actually be released or redeployed. A temporary deferral or accounting reclassification is not a genuine reduction.

Worked example

A design change reduces material from 3 kg to 2.8 kg per unit without harming required performance, permanently reducing input demand at the same price.

Common mistake

Do not describe postponed maintenance, unpaid invoices or moving cost between departments as a sustainable saving.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA APM Direct September 2026–June 2027
ACCA MA Direct September 2026–June 2027
FIA FMA Direct September 2026–June 2027