What is the first stage in developing an Activity Based Costing System?

The first stage in developing an Activity Based Costing (ABC) system is to identify resources. This step is critical because it establishes the foundation for accurately allocating costs to specific activities and thereby accurately linking those activities to the products or services they help produce.

Identifying resources involves recognizing the various types of resources used in the production process, such as labor, materials, and overhead. Once these resources are identified, organizations can assess how they are consumed by different activities. This is vital to understanding where costs are incurred and how they can be better managed or reduced.

By starting with a clear picture of the resources, organizations can proceed to gather further details about the activities these resources support, allowing for better insights into profitability and cost management in subsequent stages of the ABC system development. This foundational step ensures that any further analysis or decisions are based on a solid understanding of the resources at play.

The other options build upon this process, occurring after the initial identification of resources. Evaluating past financial performances provides historical context but is not a preparatory step for ABC implementation. Implementing cost reduction strategies is a goal that can be achieved once the ABC system is in place, and creating a pricing model comes later once costs are thoroughly understood.