Which budgeting method is quickest and easiest to implement?

The incremental budgeting method is often recognized as the quickest and easiest to implement due to its straightforward approach. It works by taking the previous year's budget and adjusting it for any changes in revenues and expenses, typically based on a percentage increase or decrease.

This method simplifies the budgeting process because it relies on historical data, which can be readily accessed and analyzed. Since it does not require a complete re-evaluation of all budget items from scratch, incremental budgeting saves time and resources.

Unlike zero-based budgeting, which requires justification for all expenses regardless of previous years' budgets, or participatory budgeting that involves detailed input from many stakeholders, incremental budgeting minimizes the complexity and time commitment typically associated with more elaborate budgeting techniques.

Additionally, rolling budgets, which continuously update and can substantially involve forecasting and market analysis, may offer valuable insights but require ongoing effort and can be more labor-intensive. Thus, for organizations seeking to implement a budgeting method with efficiency and speed, incremental budgeting is often the preferred choice.