Average customer rating:
- Not a Project Management Guide
- real world pm
- project management with your feet on the ground and your heart on it
- highly practical and thorough coverage
- Great book
|
The Art of Project Management (Theory in Practice (O'Reilly))
Scott Berkun
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0596007868 |
Book Description
The Art of Project Management covers it all--from practical methods for making sure work gets done right and on time, to the mindset that can make you a great leader motivating your team to do their best. Reading this was like reading the blueprint for how the best projects are managed at Microsoft... I wish we always put these lessons into action!" --Joe Belfiore, General Manager, E-home Division, Microsoft Corporation
"Berkun has written a fast paced, jargon-free and witty guide to what he wisely refers to as the 'art' of project management. It's a great introduction to the discipline. Seasoned and new managers will benefit from Berkun's perspectives." --Joe Mirza, Director, CNET Networks (Cnet.com)
"Most books with the words 'project management' in the title are dry tomes. If that's what you are expecting to hear from Berkun's book, you will be pleasantly surprised. Sure, it's about project management. But it's also about creativity, situational problem-solving, and leadership. If you're a team member, project manager, or even a non-technical stakeholder, Scott offers dozens of practical tools and techniques you can use, and questions you can ask, to ensure your projects succeed." --Bill Bliss, Senior VP of product and customer experience, expedia.com
In The Art of Project Management, you'll learn from a veteran manager of software and web development how to plan, manage, and lead projects. This personal account of hard lessons learned over a decade of work in the industry distills complex concepts and challenges into practical nuggets of useful advice. Inspiring, funny, honest, and compelling, this is the book you and your team need to have within arms reach. It will serve you well with your current work, and on future projects to come.
Topics include:
- How to make things happen
- Making good decisions
- Specifications and requirements
- Ideas and what to do with them
- How not to annoy people
- Leadership and trust
- The truth about making dates
- What to do when things go wrong
Customer Reviews:
Not a Project Management Guide.......2007-10-14
I guess I expected more after reading some of the reviews, but was disappointed to find out that it is a high level project management supplemental book. If you are a beginning PMer looking for a good book about the fundamentals of PM, this is not the book. The level of the content is for those who simply want a book that is more a novel than a help book.
real world pm.......2007-06-29
An easy and fun to read book, based on real life examples and experiences. While reading it, I got many tips from the book and apply them in my onw work.
project management with your feet on the ground and your heart on it.......2007-05-24
I really love this book!! I've read many books about how to run projects, to keep teams motivated, to be an effective leader, and I think this book compiles all of the above, plus it gives you a grounded point of view. There are no promises, only hard work and ways to improve your performance.
I've used some of the recommendations included in chapter 13: How to make things happen and, although is not a guarantee of success, I have accomplished some of my most difficult projects with it and the ones I didn't, at least I know why.
[...].
highly practical and thorough coverage.......2007-05-12
Reading this book is almost as good as having a highly experienced mentor help you manage a project. The book provides very thorough coverage with sound, practical advice. There is a good list of reference material as well. I have been a software developer for more than 25 years and have managed several projects and still found I learned a lot from this book. I wish it had been available years ago. The book also provided confirmation for many of my beliefs about which I disagree with my current project manager. I hope to use this book to help convince him to change. I will be managing my own project again soon and plan to use use this book to help me succeed. Every software developer should read this book even if they are not a project manager. My only very slight criticism is that the book is most helpful to software product projects, but I think even internal development projects should be run as this book explains.
Great book.......2007-05-09
This is a great book.
Filled with real-world wisdom, it prepares you for what to expect in the world of project management as a career option.
Especially usefull for people from software development background.
Book Description
A thoroughly revised second edition of the leader's concise guide to the process of creating and managing an organisation, no matter how complex, that will achieve unique competitive advantages and be poised to respond effectively and rapidly to customer demands.
In this book executives, managers, and consultants will find the concrete tools they need to select and implement an efficient design that creates superior and more competitive performance. In addition to analysing the four key forces shaping today's organisations -- buyer power, variety, change, and speed -- this new edition addresses the concerns of new economy by expanding on the section on the Flexible Organization and includes a new section on organising around the customer. The book:
- Describes what leaders can do to effect the change process
- Addresses the concerns of new economy companies
- Contains rich examples from successful companies
Customer Reviews:
applied the knowladge.......2006-02-23
i have read this book with a great deal of intrest. it was a great help in implementing change and designing a organization structure that is able to deliver on the new strategy.
excellent resource.......2003-09-06
Really good intro to ideas and concepts needed to redesign an organization in terms of its structure. Best if you already have some degree of experience in do it so you can really apply the concepts.
Guide to the factors that shape organizational design.......2002-12-28
Jay R. Galbraith is an internationally recognized expert on organization design. He is a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California and Professor Emeritus at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland. This book is a updated/revised edition of 'Designing Organizations' which was originally published in 1995. It is split up into 10 chapters.
Chapter 1 - Introduction - really sets the stage for the rest of the book. It discusses the six main organization shapers: the increase buyer power; increase in the number of products and services; the Internet; multiple dimensions (functions, products, and geography, but also customer segments, solutions or offerings, and channels and processes); the requirement for a capacity to change; and speed (in bringing products and services to the market).
The following two chapters discuss how companies have to shape their organizational design, strategy, and structure in order how to deal with these organization shapers. Galbraith introduces his copyrighted Star Model (Strategy, structure, people, rewards, and processes), which looks AND sounds very similar to McKinsey's 7-S framework. Chapters 4 and 5 build on these chapter and discuss how organizations have to link their processes to coordination needs and integrate group processes. Then, in Chapter 6 discusses the easily changeable or reconfigurable organization based on the Star Model, which, according to Galbraith, results from the skilled use of three capabilities: (1) forming teams and networks across organizational departments; (2) the use of internal prices, markets, and marketlike devices to coordinate the complexity of multiple teams; and (3) the forming of partnerships to secure capabilities that it does not have. Each of these capabilities are discussed in detail.
The Chapters 7 to 10 are all very current and fashionable. They discuss the organizing around the customer, customer-focused structures, the design of the virtual corporation, and organizing the continuous design process. Although the subjects discussed are important, some of the examples are too long and take up most of the chapters. Some of the examples also do not really apply to every company/organization but are too specific. Still, these are issues that should not be forgotten about, especially organizing around the customer remains important.
I must admit that I am somewhat disappointed with this book, which is written by a leading authority in the field of organizational design. I believe it is especially the title that lets the book down. It is not so much a guide into strategies and structures; it more discusses the organization shapers and the possibilities that companies/organizations have to tackle the organization shapers. I believe that the book is especially weak in discussing organizational design and structures. Galbraith discusses his own Star-model (which reminds me of McKinsey's 7-S framework) and his reconfigurable organization (the learning organization?), but leaves all other models/designs/structures untouched. I have not been generous, the book really deserves a 3.5-star rating. The author uses simple business US-English.
Customer Reviews:
Lincoln is still a leader........2007-10-01
I selected "Lincoln on Leadership" as a biography to use in a graduate educational administration course and I couldn't have chosen a better book. The organization of the book highlighted leadership qualities that Lincoln exemplified and each chapter had a succinct summary of those leadership skills. Lincoln's leadership is applicable to all types of leadership including education.
Leadership During ALL Times.......2007-04-28
Donald T. Phillips used our sixteenth president's wisdom under fire to provide an excellent primer for leadership focused on tough times, but it is as important during good times. When sales are at record levels, employees are happily working long hours, and new prospects are pounding on the doors because of customers' recommendations, is when one needs to be preparing for potential tough times.
Few will go through the meat-grinder which faced President Lincoln, but able leadership during good times will give an organization a firm footing for the mishaps and misfortunes which will affect us all at some point. Focusing on the 'Endeavor' section of the book, Phillips illustrates examples of Lincoln's will, ability, and lack of hesitation in making tough, necessary decisions. Losing a war, being sniped at by those who should be supporters, and struggling with difficult family matters can be paralyzing, but ignoring a personnel issue so as to not rock the boat during a smooth voyage can also be destructive. Phillips points out how "Lincoln often accepted the aggravation and exasperation caused by subordinates if they did their jobs competently", but he also shows how Lincoln could be decisive and tough when his hand was forced. This includes disciplining and firing upper level staff such as cabinet secretaries and commanding generals.
Any review of Lincoln's life would be incomplete without mentioning his use of humor and a unique storytelling ability to make his point. Phillips recounts Lincoln's reason for doing so, which includes these lines: "I often avoid a long and useless discussion by others or a laborious explanation on my own part by a short story that illustrates my point of view." "No, I am not simply a story-teller, but story-telling as an emollient saves me much friction and distress." Oh, if only more of our business and government leaders would use short stories, saving us all some "friction and distress".
The chapter titled "Persuade Rather Than Coerce" explains that Lincoln was smart enough to know that he couldn't do it all by himself, but needed capable leaders who were authorized to make decisions and act on them. His largest problem with military leadership was a gauntlet of generals who were not willing to assume that responsibility. Understanding that influence is a more effective tool of leadership than coercion or orders, he "...preferred to let his generals make their own decisions and hoped that, through his suggestions, they would do the right thing."
That chapter begins with a quote from the first Lincoln Douglas debate: With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. Looking back at the presidents of my lifetime, it is easy to see which have taken this advice to heart, and have shown success because of it. Likewise, those who have ignored it, and a recent president comes to mind, have had their leadership suffer.
Paraphrasing John C. Maxwell, there is no such thing as `leadership during tough times'; there is only `leadership'. Those fond of history and anyone interested in leadership should read this book.
Great viewpoint on focusing on people.......2007-04-23
This book is one of the best management/leadership books I have ever read. It was giving to me by one of my business school professors who I respect and admire greatly. The book will not disappoint you if you decide to buy it. Worth the time and money!
Lessons on Leadership.......2007-03-31
This is a great book for individuals entering the business world to read how leadership and ethics can and should lead to excellent decision-making skills.
Excellent and well-worth reading........2007-03-31
This book is well written and will appeal to a very wide range of readers, including but not limited to Lincoln scholars and those interested in leadership. Readers who are interested in history, business, politics and those who just like well-written prose should enjoy this book. As the title states, this book is about Lincoln's leadership style. He is portrayed as a paradigm of an effective leader. The book covers topics such as: his interactions with people, his character, his decisiveness, and his immense skills as a communicator. Each chapter covers a different facet of leadership and how Lincoln typified this feature. At the end of each chapter there is brief discussion of how this applies to current day business and politics. There is also a brief summary list of Lincoln's principles discussed in that chapter. The book itself is brief and you can learn a lot from the way that Lincoln interacted with and led people during the most trying time in America's history.
While the focus of the book is on Lincoln's leadership, I learned quite a bit about the man and the challenges that he faced and how he shaped the subsequent government of the US. This was done in a very interesting manner, which was devoid of the dense details of a history book. I got more from this brief book than from some much more detailed books on the Civil War. The book is replete with Lincoln anecdotes, jokes and parables, all of which enrich the text and get the points across in much the same way Lincoln initially used them to get his points across. The best accolade that I can give this book as that it is making me read more about Lincoln and about leadership.
Book Description
Hax and Mailuf offer a pragmatic approach to strategic management, offering practicing managers and business readers a disciplined process that facilitates the formulation and implementation of strategy.
Most comprehensive, integrated, explicit approach to strategy formulation; Proctor & Gamble used as a running case throughout the text. Other real world examples include NKK and Merck; global perspective, companies are drawn from all over the world.
Customer Reviews:
The Strategy Concept and Process.......2002-04-02
Need to know about the fundamental concept and process in Strategy? read this book, you will find a comprehensive description in "easy to understand" language, even that you're a beginner in Strategic Management. This book is a usefull guide for anyone, no matter you're a undergraduate, Graduate or Doctoral student. A state of the art of Strategic Management.
Learn To Develop a Strategic Plan and Capture the Essence.......2000-10-05
Basically, this book aims at making strategy concepts and techniques very clear to readers. In this book, strategy concepts were translated into well-considered formulations.
While reading book, you will see this property many times and it will help you better understand the abstract concepts. When you finished the book, you will be able to place your strategy theory on a strong base. No longer you will think that "Strategy Is a Staff Work." This book will give you the framework in which strategic plans are developed.
And lastly, you will find a lot of cases related to the theory in this invaluable book. I higly recommend..
very usefull in the field.......1999-04-06
Very exciting knowledge from the expert
A clear and compehensive methodology to make a strategy.......1998-08-03
The book present a clear and comprehensive methodology to make a strategy at three levels: corporate, business and functional. Include the Porter and BCG analysis. The method explain each step to make a complete analysis of the business before the formulation of the strategy. Each step is practical and adaptive to any kind of business.
Book Description
How to structure, facilitate, and implement the process.
Strategic planning is a critical part of running a business, but when you get a team of people together to plan, it can often become a confused exercise in grand visions without a clear process for establishing workable goals. This book is unique in providing both guidance for the actual content of strategic plans and techniques for how to plan in a team context. Readers will discover how to:
• structure the process so it custom fits their company needs
• effectively facilitate the process (keep meetings on track, train others in planning skills, document decisions made at meetings, present and communicate the plan)
• use teams and teamwork smoothly and productively to create a far-reaching plan—and then to implement it
Features detailed guidelines for each step, dozens of flowcharts, and three self-contained "facilitator's guides" to follow.
Customer Reviews:
Useful guide.......2007-05-17
I have several years of experience in participating and leading strategic planning, and I have found this to be a very good reference guide. One that I still refer to with some frequency. It has high-level comprehensive concepts as well as detailed, practical steps. Not for everyone, especially if you are put off by "business speak", but if you live in that world and are comfortable with it, this can be a very good reference guide.
Read it, Use it. Love it!.......2005-08-29
I've recommended this book to a number of my clients who were struggling with strategic planning. Unlike other books, it does not deal in vague generalities or unsupported principles. It gives all of the steps and instructions to choose from that companies need to create an excellent plan. The steps are explained simply and a strategy on how to make "it happen".
It is really useful because it gives a variety of examples from many different organizations and industries. It is the kind of book that you can use, sitting around with your staff, to agree on the process that you will take for your particular organization.
I highly recommend it to an organization that wants to make their strategic approach stick. My expertise is in leadership and management systems and training, and it fits well with my experience and philosophy-you can't do anything with an organization unless they have a view of the future and a plan to implement it.
Team based strategic planning book is excellent........2005-08-20
This is an excellent guide that allows a leader to structure a strategic planning process to fit a specific organization. It gives step by step instructions and real examples that make the process come alive. It also gives guides for facilitating collection of information and the meetings that must be held to get concensus on the organization's direction. In 30 years of federal government management, I have not seen any book as clear and as useful in directing development of a strategic plan. This book has been on the market since 1999, so I must not be alone in this opinion.
Strategic Planning: Easy to Work With.......2005-08-02
This text was incredibly simple to understand. It was set up in a way that it had very easy guidelines to follow, and the applications were just as easy to work with. I completely recommend this text to all that are in the field of leadership. This is one text that is assured continual usage by all that purchase it.
One of those dense, impenetrable tomes.......2005-01-25
"Team-Based Strategic Planning: A Complete Guide to Structuring, Facilitating and Implementing the Process" is one of those dense, impenetrable tomes blessed with having the American Management Association for its publisher. Hence, it smacks of authority.
Yet the book is written in a nearly unreadable language: the language of management-speak, uttered to obfuscate rather than enlighten, to deflect rather than engage.
One does not have to go far before running into verbal blockades such as this: "Organizations with an existing plan, however good or poor, should preface a plan update or total ground up revision with an upfront step: a review of the existing mission, plan, and accomplishments." Other similar all-star collections of jargon appear on nearly every page.
Shall we spend a moment considering this thought? First, people not organizations are the doers. Does "however good or poor" modify the existing plan or the organizations? Can there exist a nonexistent plan? Can a "ground up revision" be used for mulching the perennial garden? Can you actually preface and update, plus be upfront, in the same sentence? Finally, it's clear that organizations without existing plans will not be able to review their existing plans.
Language is not the only barrier. Some charts are full of type faces, sometimes six or more, calling to mind ransom notes assembled from letters clipped from magazines. Others are collections of thick symbols and unfriendly bold type and all caps that scream out MOCK IMPORTANCE.
My advice is to look for management advice that is dispensed in clear English with understandable graphics. [...]
Book Description
Entrepreneurship texts may, understandably, be viewed with some suspicion, as being nothing more than common sense dressed-up, and nothing unique or innovative. But Baron and Shane have attempted something new. Baron and Shane focus on the entrepreneurial process as it moves through several distinct phases: (1) generating ideas and recognizing opportunities, (2) assembling resources, (3) launching the new venture, (4) building success, and (5) harvesting the rewards. At each stage, they analyze these processes along three dimensions, examining individual, group, and societal contexts. Accessible and rich in examples, Baron and Shane gain the upper hand by fusing concepts, theory, and research with the supporting pedagogy.
Amazon.com
Six Sigma is a data-driven management system with near-perfect-performance objectives that has been employed to acclaim at leading corporations like General Electric. Its name is derived from the eye-catching statistical target of operating with no more than 3.4 defects per one million chances, but Peter Pande, Robert Neuman, and Roland Cavanagh--associates in a firm providing Six Sigma implementation, training, and management services--contend its principles can be applied in businesses of all types to routinely reduce costs, improve productivity, increase market share, and achieve other positive results. The Six Sigma Way is their comprehensive self-help guide to adapting and using the system under various conditions. Its first two parts cover fundamentals and provide specific suggestions for aligning the process with individual needs and goals. (These include sections on balancing potential costs and benefits, clarifying objectives, and defining time frames.) The final part, which accounts for more than half the book, focuses on implementation through a detailed yet flexible five-step "road map" tied to a company's core processes, key customers, current performance, "high-potential improvement opportunities," and future practices. While the procedure is quite complex, diligent managers should be able to bring at least basic components to their organization with the tools and techniques provided. --Howard Rothman
Book Description
Six Sigma is a system for improving the quality of organizational processes. It was originally developed at Motorola in the 1980's and has become one of the most widely discussed and reported trends in business over the past two years, thanks largely to the phenomenal successes of the Six Sigma program at one of the world's most successful companies, GE. GE CEO Jack Welch, has been preaching about and implementing the Six Sigma philosophy throughout GE, and credits the program with millions of dollars in annual cost savings and product quality improvements.
Download Description
Six Sigma -- the organizational quality system made famous by GE's legendary Jack Welch -- has set new standards for process improvement. The Six Sigma Way is the first book to provide basic, non-technical information on understanding and implementing Six Sigma. Eye-opening success stories show how companies including GE, Motorola, Allied Signal, and others have used Six Sigma to produce millions in cost-savings and quality improvements. Written to give managers a basic overview of what Six Sigma is and how to implement it, The Six Sigma Way covers the application of Six Sigma across all industries.
Customer Reviews:
Horridly boring........2007-09-13
More power to you if you can get something worthwile from this book. I bought the book on CD, and it was easily the most forgettable experience I've had in a while. The information is presented from a 30,000 mile view. So "big picture" oriented that it's useless to try and consider the action behind the concepts presented.
If you're looking for a way to appear to have read something complicated and high level about Six Sigma. you found your source. If you want real, usable information, look elsewhere.
Excellent Book.......2007-09-07
No Joke. A serious six-sigma book written in most elegant form. I like the part where the Authors provide insights into "Sir Pork" - a really good way to put serious stuffs into readable form. Ignore the stars. It could have been 6 :).
A Six Sigma Primer.......2007-02-25
If you're looking to learn about Six Sigma, this is the book to start with. It provides a good overview and quickly dispels the common myths (e.g. Six sigma is for manufacturing companies alone). It helps the reader to determine if Six Sigma is right for his/her organization, and provides clear steps demonstrating how to implement the six sigma roadmaps. It doesn't get too heavy into the advanced statistics, although there is a chapter that explains some of the tools and how they are used. Bottom line: While the reader may still need some assistance (from a trained Black Belt), this book provides the tools necessary to complete a six sigma project. I've read a few books on the topic and this was the most comprehensive - the best of the lot.
Six Sigma Overview - Full of Excellent Case Studies.......2006-11-22
While studying to become a Black Belt in Six Sigma, I found this book to be the most excellent overview of the history and benefits of Six Sigma. I did extensive research into useful books - and found this one to be the most effective.
Many other Six Sigma books try too hard to teach the material - and this book presents the basics, with strong business case studies of success.
If you are involved in the study or use of Six Sigma - I believe this is an essential book in your library.
Good overview but little substance.......2006-11-04
This audio book was more of a cheerleader for six sigma than a book to gain knowledge. It would be a good source of information if you have never heard of six sigma, but otherwise it is not very useful. The reader also has an annoying voice.
Book Description
This is an advanced guide to running political campaigns. It provides invaluable, practical advice from the leading pros in the industry.
Customer Reviews:
Winning Elections.......2007-08-12
This is a great primer for getting into the political landscape as a politician or a consultant for politicians.
Long on common sense short on theory.......2006-11-02
First off, I have to say this is probably a must read for any first time candidate or anyone looking to get into the campaigning end of politics. The book offers common sense advice for almost any issue or scenario you might come up against while campaigning. It also offers sound advice about planning and strategy (mainly- plan and have a strategy!)
I used this text in an undergraduate course on elections, and while it was fun and interesting for students to read, it offer little analysis or theory. It does not spend much time asking why things work or how, just that they do. I suspected that this book would not be all that useful in the classroom and was right, but I am sure it has a place on the campaign trail.
Pretty Good.......2006-06-22
Winning Elections is a compilation of articles that have been assembled by Editor, Ronald Faucheux. As a newcomer to politics I found this book to be especially informative. It is about processes and strategies that campaigns employ. This book, however, is not a beginner's book. It is not about building a campaign, or learning the nuts and bolts of campaigns. It is much more than that. This book is meant to build upon existing skills that successful managers and consultants are doing. In reality, there are not set right or
wrong ways to do anything, but this book serves as a platform for idea sharing.
A Superb Compilation of Articles from C&E Magazine.......2006-05-21
This book is a compilation of practical political advice, originally published as articles in the excellent Campaigns and Elections Magazine, published by the author.
The chapters/articles are organized in a very sensible format, highly accessible, and well labeled for easy reference. It is a work that will be of great practical value to campaign managers and consultants of both major parties as well as third parties. It covers the basics, of course, but also discusses more sophisticated aspects of topics like fundraising, precinct targeting, media strategy, polling, and the like.
Every person serious about political work, especially professionals, should have this book for ready reference for themselves or those they work with. Even though campaign professionals know this subject matter by heart, not all they work with do, especially candidates. I would recommend having it on hand for candidate school, orientation, or simple explanation of what the consultant is trying to convey in advising a candidate or manager.
Excellent Resource for any campaign!.......2005-10-26
This book is an excellent resource for anyone involved in electoral campaigns. I will never regret my purchase. A must read for political activists!
This book is a compilation of years of columns that appear in Campaigns & Elections Magazine. Not quite your "A Guide to Campaigns", but still is full of useful information for any political campaign.
Book Description
Not just another book on the theory of strategic planning, here are dozens of recipes for creative group activities to facilitate strategic planning in any organization. Designed for use by consultants, facilitators, and management team leaders, step-by-step instructions guide you through exercises for gaining employee and management participation, gathering feedback from management about the current state of the organization, creating an organized mission, vison and values statement, and planning so that the vision becomes reality. Ready-to-use reproducible materials and handouts are also included.
Customer Reviews:
Too simplistic. .......2006-11-10
Even popular textbooks in strategic management (Wheelen and Hunger, Davis, etc.), which are oriented toward more thoughtful study of the subject, do a better job presenting a sound applied process in strategic planning. Don't waste your money.
Unique.......2005-09-21
Thee is little written for facilitators and this is a complete summary and approach to the topic with all the tools. I just wish there had been more stories of how each of the tools worked.
Invaluable tools for Organizational Planning.......2003-10-17
I have had the opportunity to use the designs in this book over the past year. The designs or "strategic activities" are creative and guarnateed to advance the planning process for a wide range of organizations. The instructions have just the right amount of detail to adaquately prepare the facilitator. There is tremendous felxibility with each acitivity to accomodate longer or shorter amounts of time. The designs are
crip, imaginative, thoughtful, rooted in practice. Its a book I refer to again and again. Its been an invaluable tool to my work.
Intelligent and Interesting.......2001-08-23
impressive, interesting and different ideas .I like the down to earth , inclusive quality of this book. Thing are explained well and frameworks are provided, so that you can conduct these activities with confidence.I highly recommend it.
Planning First - Learning Always.......2001-08-13
If you have ever been involved in a strategic planning effort that fell short of expectations then this book is for you. In plain language the authors lay out a planning framework with supporting involvement practices to gain organizational buy-in. They provide explanations and case study examples to show the connections between "what needs to be done and how to do it." A chapter titled "The Toolbox" covers the rational and procedures for involvement mechanisms that include "Nominal Group Process to generate ideas, Affinity Diagrams & Mindmaping to organize complex issues and Collapsing Consensus & Las Vegas Voting to help in problem solving & decision-making." There are valuable discussions on organizing the planning effort and post-planning followup / accountability. This volume supports any organizational effort to set goals, improve quality or enhance effectiveness in resource management through collaborative processes.
Book Description
Designing the Customer-Centric Organization offers todayâs business leaders a comprehensive customer-centric organizational model that clearly shows how to put in place an infrastructure that is organized around the demands of the customer. Written by Jay Galbraith (the foremost expert in the field of organizational design), this important book includes a tool that will help determine how customer-centric an organization is- light-level, medium-level, complete-level, or high-level- and it shows how to ascertain the appropriate level for a particular institution. Once the groundwork has been established, the author offers guidance for the process of implementing a customer-centric system throughout an organization. Designing the Customer-Centric Organization includes vital information about structure, management processes, reward and management systems, and people practices.
Download Description
"Designing the Customer-Centric Organization offers today's business leaders a comprehensive customer-centric organizational model that clearly shows how to put in place an infrastructure that is organized around the demands of the customer. Written by Jay Galbraith (the foremost expert in the field of organizational design), this important book includes a tool that will help determine how customer-centric an organization is- light-level, medium-level, complete-level, or high-level- and it shows how to ascertain the appropriate level for a particular institution. Once the groundwork has been established, the author offers guidance for the process of implementing a customer-centric system throughout an organization. Designing the Customer-Centric Organization includes vital information about structure, management processes, reward and management systems, and people practices.
Customer Reviews:
Very useful in real time organization design.......2007-08-11
I've been using Jay Galbraith's principles in making organization designs for major clients with great effectiveness. This book is very practical.
Designing the Customer-Centric Organization: A Guide to Strategy, Structure, and Process .......2007-01-18
Es un libro excelente, me parece muy bueno el contenido, sin embargo lamento decirles que llego un poco maltratado, por lo que en lo subsecuente espero pongan mas cuidado en este aspecto
It's all in the first 25 pages!.......2007-01-14
I was very excited when I came across this particular book. This was exactly the right book - looking at the title - coming at the right moment for me. I could use it to help me work through a current problem!
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I dived into it with a passion. The introduction was insightful and right on target. This is terrific! Chapter 1; Surviving the Customer Revolution, was as good a review of this topic as I've read anywhere. It succeeded in defining what a customer centric organisation could look like and brought some real clarity to this part of the puzzle. If you've ever tried to explain the difference between a traditional product centric company and a customer centric one then you'll know what I mean.
Chapter 2 though, How Much Is Enough, was the beginning of the decline. The author attempts to define different levels of customer centricity necessary for your company and, for me, falls foul of too much detail and too much process - clearly reflective of the authors' obvious expertise and familiarity with organisational design. From there on it continued to be a struggle for me. The case studies were terrific and there was some real insight, but the solutions were too formulaic and linear to be of real value.
I came away from the book concerned that I'd missed something. I thought that customers would drive what level of customisation would be required in order to deliver value, and thereby improve business performance. Perhaps I was wrong!
Was I disappointed? Not at all. Worth reading even if the best is right up front!
COMPREHENSIVE, IN-DEPTH, THOUGHTFUL BOOK!.......2006-01-16
In contrast to product-centric, a customer-centric firm must be organized around the customer. This means going further than "customer focused" initiatives. This comprehensive, in-depth and thoughtful book begins by exploring the structures and philosophy involved in being customer-centric. Galbraith then details the different types of customer relationship strategies, following which he offers a guide to determining the level of customer-centricity (three levels are proposed) that would best serve the reader's company. The specific elements for achieving each of the three levels, from lightest to most intensive, are presented, along with guidelines for implementing actions ("solution strategy") required. Solution strategies vary by scale and scope, depending on the intensity of customer-centricity needed.
In all, the book delves into ways that organizations can design their strategy, structure, and processes to strengthen their position in the market and grow. Technology, with emphasis on its implementation and connectivity with customers, gets major attention. Much of the book presents engrossing cases (IBM, Proctor & Gamble, Nokia), which are extremely informative and provide a plethora of insights. This is an outstanding work in its content, organization of material, and style of writing. Very highly recommended.
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