Cost is Not a Four-Letter Word. An FQHC Guide to Activity-Based Cost Analysis

Read time 7 minutes:

Hey there! As an industry expert in community engagement, I can tell you that cost analysis is an essential part of any community engagement campaign. And of all the cost analysis techniques out there, activity-based cost analysis is one of my favorite, it can give you some amazing and valuable insights.

Think about it - every community engagement campaign has a series of activities that need to be completed in order to be successful. Activity-based cost analysis looks at each of these activities, and helps you understand what they're really costing you. This information is gold when it comes to maximizing the impact of your campaign.

Let's say you're running a marketing campaign to increase patient engagement. With activity-based cost analysis, you can figure out exactly how much each aspect of the campaign is costing you - from design and printing of materials, to outreach and follow-up with potential patients. This way, you can see where your resources are being best used, and make changes as needed.

Or maybe you're looking to start a new program to address a specific health need in your community. Activity-based cost analysis can help you understand what it's going to cost to get the program off the ground, and what it's going to cost to keep it running over time. This can help you make more informed decisions about whether the program is right for your community, and what changes you might need to make to keep it sustainable.

One of the great things about activity-based cost analysis is that it can help you see the big picture. It's not just about the bottom line, it's about understanding what's really going on in your community and what you can do to make a positive impact. By breaking down your community engagement campaigns into smaller parts and understanding the cost of each, you can make sure that your resources are being used as effectively as possible.

And here's the thing - some folks might think that focusing on cost and revenue is a contradiction to the mission of helping the community. But in reality, it's just the opposite! By understanding the cost of your campaigns and initiatives, you can make sure that you're using your resources in the most impactful way possible. When you have a solid understanding of your costs, you can prioritize your activities and make changes where needed to ensure that you're making the most of your resources. And when you're making the most of your resources, you're better positioned to help your community and deliver on your mission.

In other words, focusing on cost and revenue is actually a way to support your mission and achieve your goals. It's not a contradiction, it's a smart way to ensure that your efforts are making the biggest impact possible.

So don't shy away from cost analysis - embrace it! By using activity-based cost analysis, you can make sure that your community engagement campaigns are on track, and that you're doing everything you can to help your community. And in the end, that's what it's all about.

FQHC community engagement experts

visumsolutions.org

2.1.2023