--- title: "Agile Budgeting Strategies and Approaches" id: "61262" type: "post" slug: "agile-budgeting-strategies-and-approaches" published_at: "2024-04-16T21:41:50+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-11T18:06:38+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2024/04/16/agile-budgeting-strategies-and-approaches/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2024/04/16/agile-budgeting-strategies-and-approaches.md" excerpt: "As economic, environmental, and technological shifts continue to reshape industries, association professionals are turning to agile budgeting approaches to navigate uncertainty and drive sustainable growth. Learn practical strategies for creating flexible budgets that can withstand the challenges of today’s dynamic..." taxonomy_category: - "Business Development" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Associations Now" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "C-Level" - "Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Agile Budgeting Strategies and Approaches Part of the Deep Dive[Building Business Savvy](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/building-business-savvy-navigating-a-new-landscape/) ### **How nimble is your association’s budget?** Your budget is “arguably the most important strategic tool,” says Danielle McLean, vice president and chief financial officer at the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), so creating an accurate budget that forecasts your organization’s revenue and expenses is critical. Now, many organizations are taking an “agile” approach, which allows for periodic updates and a more realistic way to budget given the rapid pace of change spurred by shifting economic and environmental considerations and new technologies. “Having a budget that can be reported in real time—that’s the key and secret sauce,” says McLean. “We live and operate in a poly-crisis environment, and we have to plan—and plan early—as things will happen and change.” Practicing agile budgeting means moving away from fixed, annual budget allocations to a more fluid strategy that can respond quickly to performance data and market shifts. “The goal is to continuously optimize spending across channels and campaigns,” says McLean, “rather than relying on set-it-and-forget-it budget plans.” An association’s budget should be “viewed as a project, treated as a formal planning process, and reported out monthly.” John Heberlein, MBA, CMA, CFM, CSCA, CAE, says that a monthly reevaluation of a budget is an effective strategy for the current climate. Heberlein is chief financial officer and senior vice president at ASHP, an association of health-system pharmacy professionals. “We’re only [budgeting] one year at a time because the environment is changing so fast,” says Heberlein. However, staff monitor the budget throughout the year. “We update our projections monthly and make adjustments,” he adds, noting that your budget should be a “roadmap.” According to Heberlein, “You need to be flexible to adapt—to dial up resources to increase revenue if an opportunity arises, or to be able to pause activities” to avoid losing money if products, events, or services are not selling as projected. [Christine Umbrell](https://associationsnow.com/author/christine-umbrell/) Christine Umbrell is a freelance writer based in Herndon, Virginia. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/christine-umbrell/) Tags: [#Associations Now](https://associationsnow.com/tag/associations-now/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## More in this Deep Dive - [New Paths to Profit](https://associationsnow.com/2024/04/16/new-paths-to-profit/) - [Products and Purpose](https://associationsnow.com/2024/04/16/products-and-purpose/) - [New Rules for Association Sales Staff](https://associationsnow.com/2024/04/16/new-rules-for-association-sales-staff/) - [Business Development for Data-Driven Times](https://associationsnow.com/2024/04/16/business-development-for-data-driven-times/) - [How Larger, Tech-Forward Venues Create Revenue Opportunities for Associations](https://associationsnow.com/2024/04/16/how-larger-tech-forward-venues-create-revenue-opportunities-for-associations/) - [Three Ways to Use Meetings More Strategically](https://associationsnow.com/2024/07/31/three-ways-to-use-meetings-more-strategically/) [View the full Deep Dive →](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/building-business-savvy-navigating-a-new-landscape/) ## You Might Like - [Video2026 Summit Awards DinnerOctober 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/02/2026-summit-awards-dinner/) - [VideoAmerican Geophysical Union: Standing Up for Science: AGU’s Year of Action for Scientists and SocietySeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-geophysical-union-standing-up-for-science-agus-year-of-action-for-scientists-and-society/) - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [VideoPartnerships that Drive Success: ASAE Strategic Partnership AllianceAugust 26, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/26/partnerships-that-drive-success-asae-strategic-partnership-alliance/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2024%2F04%2F16%2Fagile-budgeting-strategies-and-approaches%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !