Target costing is a cost management tool that is used by companies to set the price for their products or services based on the cost that is required to produce them. It involves setting a target cost for a product or service, and then working backwards to determine the necessary costs and price for the product or service to be profitable. There are several advantages and disadvantages of using target costing, which are outlined below.
One of the main advantages of target costing is that it helps companies to be more proactive in their cost management. By setting a target cost and working towards it, companies can identify areas where they can make cost savings and improve efficiency. This can help them to remain competitive in the market, as they are able to offer products or services at a lower price while still maintaining profitability.
Another advantage of target costing is that it can help companies to improve the quality of their products or services. By focusing on the cost of production, companies can identify areas where they can make cost savings without sacrificing quality. This can lead to better customer satisfaction and loyalty, as customers are more likely to return to a company that provides high-quality products or services at a reasonable price.
A further advantage of target costing is that it can help companies to be more responsive to changes in the market. By setting a target cost and continuously reviewing it, companies can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and respond to new customer needs or preferences. This can help them to maintain their competitive edge and remain profitable in a dynamic business environment.
However, there are also some disadvantages of target costing that should be considered. One potential disadvantage is that it can be difficult to accurately estimate the costs of a product or service, especially in the early stages of development. This can lead to companies setting unrealistic target costs, which can be difficult to achieve and may result in the product or service being unprofitable.
Another disadvantage of target costing is that it can be time-consuming and resource-intensive to implement. It requires a detailed analysis of the costs involved in the production of a product or service, and this can be a complex and time-consuming process. This can be particularly challenging for companies that produce a wide range of products or services, as they may need to conduct a separate target costing analysis for each one.
In conclusion, target costing is a cost management tool that can provide companies with several advantages, including proactive cost management, improved quality, and responsiveness to changes in the market. However, it can also be difficult to accurately estimate costs and can be time-consuming and resource-intensive to implement, which are potential disadvantages that should be considered.