a.

1 ? Raw material usage variance

2 ? Direct labor efficiency variance

3 ? Raw material price variance

4 ? Direct labor rate variance

5 ? Variable overhead efficiency variance

6 ? Variable overhead spending variance

7 ? Fixed overhead budget variance

8 ? Fixed overhead volume variance

?Explanation of ranking: Raw material usage and direct labor efficiency are controllable in the current period by supervisors and managers.  Raw material price and direct labor rate variances are usually less controllable in the short run.  The price paid for materials tends to be easier to control than the direct labor rate per hour because labor contracts are usually negotiated for periods of one-year or longer, but raw material prices change frequently.  The variable overhead efficiency variance, if the standard is based on a rate per direct labor hour, is controlled by controlling direct labor.  In most circumstances, the variable overhead spending variance and the fixed overhead variances are not controllable at all in the short run.