The most direct method of overcoming the distortions caused by the unit-level rates is
to expand the number of rates used so that the rates reflect the actual consumption of
overhead costs by the various products. Thus, instead of pooling the overhead costs in
plant or departmental pools, rates are calculated for each individual overhead activity.
The rates are based on causal factors that measure consumption (unit- and non-unitlevel
activity drivers). Using this approach and the data from Exhibit 4-2, the following
activity rates are computed for each activity