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Budgeting & Forecasting › The Budgeting Process

How do you handle conflict between departments in budgeting?

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Answer

Conflicts (e.g., sales wanting more inventory than production plans, or competing claims on limited funds) are resolved by the budget committee using shared objectives, agreed assumptions, and negotiation, prioritizing overall organizational goals over departmental interests. Clear criteria and senior arbitration keep the process aligned and fair.
Real-world example The committee reconciles sales' aggressive targets with production capacity before approving the budget.

Common follow-ups: Who arbitrates budget conflicts? | What principle guides resolution?