The article discusses how knowing the total cost of a product helps in making smart business decisions. It suggests dividing costs into different groups based on how they are related to production. Not all overhead costs are indirect, so it's better to use the term "indirect costs" for those that can't be directly linked to a specific cost. The article recommends a five-step process for allocating indirect costs, including grouping similar costs and setting a threshold for their importance. It also suggests using correlation-regression analysis for large indirect cost groups with no clear reason for their variation. By following these steps, the article shows that businesses can calculate the most accurate total cost while saving time and resources.