Which budgeting approach begins with input from departments?

The budgeting approach that begins with input from departments is bottom-up budgeting. This method involves soliciting budget proposals and estimates from individual departments or units within an organization. Each department has the opportunity to provide detailed information about their needs, resources, and projected expenditures, which then feed into the overall budget process.

By starting at the departmental level, bottom-up budgeting fosters a more collaborative environment; it allows departments to advocate for their specific needs and priorities. This approach can enhance the accuracy and relevance of budget forecasts, as department heads are typically more familiar with the intricacies of their operations and can provide insightful data that informs the budget.

This method contrasts with top-down budgeting, where senior management sets the budget parameters and departments merely adjust to those imposed figures. Incremental budgeting focuses on adjusting previous budgets rather than starting from scratch, while zero-based budgeting requires all expenses to be justified anew, making it less focused on departmental input. Bottom-up budgeting, therefore, emphasizes the valuable insights and justifications that emerge from departments, ensuring that the finalized budget reflects a comprehensive understanding of organizational needs at all levels.