Reviews (1)

A well-done text w/ plenty of support
I'll make two separate sets of comments - one for professors and one for students.

Students first... There is a well-done website that accompanies the book, which includes outlines, sample tests & quizzes, and related study materials. The text is about average in terms of readability in comparison to other texts on the subject, and there are plenty of real-world examples to illustrate OM concepts (OM texts, as a general rule, don't read well). You may be able to get by with a previous edition if the textbook contents are your priority, but be advised, however, that the seventh edition contains some new and revised material, a few chapters have been re-arranged, and there are some different end-of-chapter exercises and cases.

For professors... You are probably already aware that OM can be challenging for the professor as well as the student, esp. with respect to where to aim the course - to the managers and generalists, or to the technicians & quantitatively-oriented. Heizer and Render have enough material to support either approach. The text is accompanied with ample instructor resources, including a CD and a website with slideshows, notes, outlines, and various other pedagogical tools. The testbank is easy to use, but should be supplemented with some quantitative short problems (if a quantitative approach is important to you).
Heizer and Render have also done a fair job of keeping the material up-to-date, which has resulted, after seven editions, in a pretty decent product. For me, the instructor resources and the comprehensiveness of the content (adequate support for either a managerial or quantitative approach) make Heizer and Render a good choice by comparison to other OM texts. ... Read more

Book Description

If you're in new product development, or simply work in management and depend on new products for your livelihood, this is definitely the must-read of the decade. You're going to love the increased productivity and the freedom to be creative of this new product development system.

Where do you suppose it originated? Toyota, wouldn't you know. Iffamiliar with what's going on in industry today, you're already aware that the Toyota Production System is the envy of Western manufacturing. Companies like Dell Computers and Pella Windows are using it to sock it to their competition. But did you know that Toyota's new product development system is just as important to the ongoing success of Toyota? Consider this. Toyota's new product engineers are 400 percent more productive than those employed by most companies. Talk about productivity. It's enough to make top management want to dance a jig. This book explains that system and how it can be implemented.

Hold on. Before you click the order button, or surf to another site, let us make you aware of one more very important thing. The Toyota new product development system this book explains has very little if anything to do with the Toyota Production System. The former is how Toyota develops new products. The latter is how Toyota manufactures them. Both systems deliver extremely high productivity, both free people to do their best, but beyond that, there really aren't many similarities. You need to read this book to find out why. Believe us when we say, no company that depends on an ongoing flow of new and improved products can afford to ignore the revelations it contains or the potential advantages in terms of productivity and creativity that can accrue from following the method outlined in Product Development for the Lean Enterprise. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Thought Provoking Mental Nourishment
Michael Kennedy's book, Product Development for the Lean Enterprise, gives an experienced insight into the dilemma faced by some of North America's largest organizations, those who have embraced management science in all of its complexity to win national awards, only to find they are unable to compete successfully at the customer level. Using an engaging fictional narrative, Kennedy provides a fresh insight into product development; this book will challenge your beliefs and understanding and likely intrigue you sufficiently to investigate how aspects of the process can be made applicable in your enterprise. It is a treasure trove of information on, not just its principal topic, Toyota's unique product development process, but details on establishing and operating "a process renewal team" and "large group interventions for organizational change".

In Michael Kennedy's very readable book, one is introduced to Toyota's design concepts, unconventional to the majority of us in corporate North America. Imagine your product development process stipulating:
• explore not one, but multiple design solutions at the same time;
• delay the design's narrowing process to as late as possible in the process;
• demand the building and testing of multiple design models and prototypes for performance conformity;
• have the development, retention and reuse of engineering knowledge and skills a top priority for the company;
• eliminate the use of complex integrated task based program and plans by delegating each program designer to prepare his/her own time-lines to meet fixed review dates and performance levels; and
• have functional engineering managers focus on teaching and mentoring engineering talent, not administration.

In addition to product development, Kennedy's book gives the reader an overview of change management issues from strategy, to personal and political conflict, to presentation and implementation tactics. The book stimulates thought; it proposes possibilities; it gives a glimpse into the future of an enlightened company's product development process. It is beyond a wake-up-call; it is mental nourishment to everyone whose enterprise relies on engineered products.

Entertaining and Compelling, a unique perspective on Toyota
Michael Kennedy has created a most entertaining and informative book which explores an, heretofore, unexplored aspect of why Toyota, and companies like Toyota, excel at bringing new products to market with 4 times the efficiency of their North American competitors. The book is written in a fictionalized style, ala "The Goal", and conveys the philosophies and paradigms that Toyota embraces which set them apart, in time-to-market and profits, even in this post-bubble economy. Kennedy draws from his life experiences, both as an organizational developer of concurrent engineering processes at a Fortune 100 company, and from his involvement with a National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) collaboration which studied and documented this subject. His volume chronicles how IRT Industries, struggles with their product development processes, their discovery of how Toyota uses knowledge-based paradigms, and how IRT grudgingly realizes that major paradigms shifts, not process changes nor process compliance is required to be a world class product development company. And, maybe best of all, he provides a detailed plan and methodology by which enlightened companies can implement what they learn from this volume. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive text will introduce students to the many operations topics and issues faced by leading service and manufacturing organizations.An emphasis is placed on new developments in the field of operations management and new information resources available, such as the Internet, while retaining a strong focus on the fundamental concepts of operations management.The goal of this text is to help students gain an understanding of what operations management involves, how it relates to other functional areas in an organization, the types of problems that are faced by operations managers, and common decision-making approaches. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rip off
All textbooks over $50 are a rip off, WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR STATE SENATOR TELLING THEM YOU WON'T STAND FOR THESE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES ON TEXTBOOKS FOR SCHOOL. MOST STUDENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THESE RIDICULOUS PRICES!!! WE CAN BEAT THE ENDLESS NEW EDITION CYCLES THAT PUBLISHERS RIP US OFF WITH IF WE MAKE IT KNOWN!! WE CAN'T AND WON'T STAND FOR THIS!

PERSONAL COMMENT
This book is a guide for all people involved in manufacturing processes. ... Read more

Book Description

This book blends the latest in strategic OM issues with proven analytic techniques.While maintaining its perspective on the big picture and the strategic importance of operations, this edition shifts its overall approach to a process orientation—both service and manufacturing.Industrial Engineers and Production and Operations Managers. ... Read more

Book Description

The book is primarily intended for use as a college textbook for teaching project management at the advanced undergraduate or master's level. The text is appropriate for classes on the management of service, product, engineering projects, as well as information systems (IS). Thus, we have included some coverage of material concerning information systems and how IS projects differ from and are similar to regular business projects. The authors draw upon their personal experiences working with project managers and on the experience of friends and colleagues who have spent much of their working lives serving as project managers in the "real world." Thus, in contrast to the books that are about project management, this book teaches students how to do project management.
Project Management: A Managerial Approach 5E addresses project management from a management perspective rather than a cookbook, special area treatise, or collection of loosely associated articles. It addresses the basic nature of managing all types of projects - public, business, engineering, information systems, and so on - as well as specific techniques and insights required to carry out this unique way of getting things done. It deals with the problems of selecting projects, initiating them, and operating and controlling them. It discusses the demands made on the project manager and the nature of the manager's interaction with the rest of the parent organization. It covers the difficult problems associated with conducting a project using people and organizations that represent different cultures and may be separated by considerable distances. It even covers the issues arising when the decision is made to terminate a project. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Cure for Insomnia
I don't know what is worse, my Instructor or this text.

The authors re-define "babble" in this book. It's quite a compendium of sleep inducing theory that never ends. They repeat and define concepts over and over. The chapters are a long and wordy. I can't wait till this semester is over so I can unload this hundred dollar tome of esoteric Project Management lexicon and "theory"..

A must have to any IT manager
I initially purchased this book because I am enrolled in a Master of Science degree program in Management Information Systems. I had to have it for class. As I began to read this book, it is truly a great guide to project management in the information technology industry. I would strongly recommend that all VP's, PM's, and even analyst read this book. It will really help you to understand project managment and how everyone parts is very crucial to running a dynamic project. The author gives great examples and case study that really help you apply the theory to practice.

This is one book that I will definitely not sale back to the bookstore.

Awful Book
There are many better books on the market for project management; forget this one.

Weak for construction managment
This book handles all PM wk, covers basis,not for the contractor,or const. worker trying to be PM...in construction

Better than the previous Editions
I bought this book because it was required for a class I am taking. I had the 3rd Edition already and wasn't too impressed. But this 5th Edition is much more appealing. I just became PMP certified and reviewing this book before taking the exam was a great primer to get my head out of pure PMBOK and into real world Project Management. The case studies and Directed Readings are great for seeing real world PM activities. I would suggest the book for guidance and classroom type learning. If you're an experienced PM then this book is too academic and won't feed your intellect. Buy something else. ... Read more

Book Description

Over 2 million copies sold!Used by thousands of companies and hundreds of business schools!Required reading for anyone interested in the Theory of Constraints.This book, which introduces the Theory of Constraints, is changing how America does business.The Goal is a gripping, fast-paced business novel about overcoming the barriers to making money.You will learn the fundamentals of identifying and solving the problems created by constraints.From the moment you finish the book you will be able to start successfully addressing chronic productivity and quality problems. ... Read more

Reviews (189)

Informative and Entertaining
Told in first person in the form of an entertaining novel, Goldratt's "The Goal" is a popular book that explores ideas valuable to managing numerous business situations. We are placed into the life of plant manager Alex Rogo as he faces an immediate production crisis and the threat of plant closure. During a business trip, he has a chance encounter with manufacturing guru Jonah.

Rogo's dialogue with this teacher as he wrestles with his own plant and it's manufacturing problems serves up a rich body of material that requires no background in manufacturing or assembly line processes. It remains interesting even as inventory management, assembly throughput, and bottleneck analyses take place in his quest to keep his plant in business. The use of a hiking trip to discuss fluctuations and dependencies as a scout troop progresses through the woods is superb, making "Herbie" a recognized name among many manufacturers. The book also provides a valuable illustration of the importance and impact of "choosing what to measure," that is, which numbers (production data) one should track to determine the effectiveness of an operation.

Reading "The Goal" is well worth the time for anyone managing a business. Its principles are far-reaching and applicable in a wide variety of situations. Given its popularity, you can pretty much bet that your competitors have read it.

The Goal: Book of Plenty or Plenty of Book?
The main objective of the text is to present Goldratt's theory of constraints. The story is meant to present what would otherwise be a boring and dry text in an easy to read, interesting format. As stated in "Here today, wrong tomorrow" by Daniel Butler, many of these types of books are not even opened, much less read. Goldratt actually adds a compelling story, making the book much more palatable, and also better showcasing the natural flow of the theory of constraints. The story is also inspirational, as it details a man who saves his factory and his marriage at once, as well as the moment when he took a six-pack on the hill to overlook his town trying to sort his thoughts. Those real details make Alex much easier to identify with, and make the book a much more interesting read. The inter-office politics and the scout trip are also two really good areas of the book just for the entertainment value. The late night escapades with co-workers are also mildly fun to read, but I especially liked the way that Goldratt hinted at Alex developing feelings for a co-worker before getting back with his wife. A plot twist like that is far more than I expected from the book by simply looking it. I would recommend this book to any students interested in learning about the fundamentals of the theory of constraints or managerial accounting in general. The fluidity of the book (I read it in about 2 days, a shockingly fast rate of page turns for an assigned book) and the general principles behind the book make it a good choice for an introduction to accounting, or at least far better than a textbook. I would also recommend this book to a manager just because knowledge is power. The theories prescribed in this book may or may not work for an individual corporation, but it is at least worth a read because the said manager's company could really benefit from implementing such a system. If the company would not benefit from it, the manager still read a pretty good book.

I stopped ready after 33 pgs. & found reviews and summaries
The concept is good. But the marriage details that surround it were TOO MUCH. The points could have been given in overview format and much more concisely stated.

I got tired of this fast, because I don't have time to read it all. I read about 2 books a weeks, but not when I have to sit through a bunch of boring details.

Intead, I like the setup of "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits." The first chapter was designed for executives who won't spend the time reading the whole thing, but instead want an overview to quickly grasp the point of the book. These busy readers are then instructed to find the chapters that they are interested in and read up as needed. I recommend reading the whole book, "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits" but I like the option to read or just review!

Unfortunately, I didn't have this option with "The Goal."

Easy read, but tends to drag at end
Straight forward & easy to follow reading. The Theory Of Constraints portion was a bit dumbed down and a the romance thread was a little tiresome, but all in all it was a decent read. The last 50 pages are a complete bore...just kept dragging along so I suggest you close the book once you think the hero has saved the town - you won't miss a thing.

The Best Introduction to Operation Management
"Common sense is not so common." -- Voltaire

The beauty of this work is that it is able to distill complex but dry operational management issues and transform them into easy to follow conceptual framework that is both enlightening and entertaining. The solutions to the problems are stated in plain language that appear almost like common sense, but "common sense is not so common."

This book is a must-read for operation consultants, VCs, and restructuring artists. ... Read more

Book Description

To provide exam candidates with the most up-to-date study material for the highly respected Project Management Professional certification from PMI, Sybex has revised and refreshed its best-selling Study Guide to include a wider set of job roles and scenarios. You get the most comprehensive PMP exam prep package, including a CD with an advanced testing engine, electronic flashcards, and an e-book! After studying this book's in-depth coverage of all official PMP exam objectives plus new project management case studies for further real-world insights, you'll be ready to approach the exam with confidence. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Seems to be a good book, but more is needed
I am about to take the test and have not taken a prep course. I have outlined this book and it is an easy read. However, if you go to pmi.org and take a look at the sample questions they provide, the test questions in this book do not seem like the real deal. This concerned me so I bought the Exam Cram2 book which is an easier read (but not as detailed as this book is) and it provides another set of questions which has seemed to help. Now, after reading both of the books PMBOK was an easy read which has made me comfortable enough to schedule the test. I have read the book a few times and suggest continual drilling on the review tests provided on the CD that accompanies this book. So, I think the compilation of this book and at least one other will be sufficient to pass.

Don't use it alone, but a GREAT reference!
First off, don't think you can get away with passing the PMP exam by just reading this review book. I acquired this book the weekend before I took the PMP exam at a local chapter's all-day exam review session and threw myself into it. The book is a very easy read and my favorite element was the "case study" that you followed throughout the entire project life cycle so you could see what you've learned "put to work."

I passed the PMP exam two days ago with 165/200 and this book definitely helped. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Just What I was Looking For
Good balance of theory and application.
Uses straight-forward, common sense approach.

Short and Sweet
The book is a great primer for the beginner.
Simple organization and straight to the point. ... Read more

Book Description

Inventory accuracy starts with an understanding of the conditions under which errors occur and ends with error-resistant processes, intelligent use of technology, a well-trained and highly motivated workforce, and an ongoing process of continuous improvement. In between, there’s cycle counting, root cause analysis, process evaluation, user interface design, procedures, employee training, accountability, control methods, process checks, audits, exception reporting, transaction techniques, measurement, counting methods, bar codes, RF systems, speech-based technology, light systems, and software.

Inventory Accuracy: People, Processes, & Technology covers all of these topics and more in a comprehensive treatment of the subject of inventory accuracy in distribution, fulfillment, and manufacturing environments. In addition to documenting the standard tools and techniques used to achieve accuracy, the author provides insights as to why many of the standard solutions don’t provide the best results and offers alternative methods. The focus on practical solutions that take into account the sometimes-conflicting priorities that affect accuracy, results in an approach that not only looks good on paper, but more importantly, works in the real world. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Essential Warehouse Manager's Desk Reference
If you are responsible for the integrity of your company's inventory, then I strongly recommend that you read "Inventory Accuracy". Written in plain English, with an emphasis on the practical, this book contains a wealth of valuable tips and techniques for both the new and seasoned warehouse manager. While thoroughly addressing current technology, the book also emphasizes the importance of the human factor.

A good read and an invaluable tool...

Excellent book on what is still important ... Inventory!
I greatly enjoyed the new book, especially the detailed sections on measuring accuracy, cycle counting, combining count logic selections in creation of a count, the "bin locator" versus the "warehouse management" systems, and count variances.

The practical information continues even into warehouse personnel issues - such as shrinkage and the wide variety of people personalities that are involved in shrinkage.

Many effective and practical tips are provided for the technical AND non-technical operations professional. If you are a warehouse manager or supervisor - then you should get a copy of this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Standard for Software Measurement Programs
I would rate this book ****** if it were possible. If you are looking for material on how to start a "software metrics program", look no further. This is the ultimate reference on software measurement initiatives. The PSM method is compatible with the CMMI (Measurement & Analysis Process Area) and the foundation for the ISO/IEC 15939 standard. All of the authors are recognized authorities in software measurement and process improvement. Dr. Barry Boehm (COCOMO author) has written the foreword. The PSM process is sponsored by the DoD and the U.S. Army. The book itself is comprehensive, well-written, and easy to read. It provides ready-to-use templates such as "Measurement Construct Template", "Project Measurement Plan Outline", and "Data Verification Checklist". Chapter outline:

1 - Measurement: Key Concepts and Practices
2 - Measurement Information Model
3 - Plan Measurement
4 - Perform Measurement
5 - Analysis Techniques
6 - Evaluate Measurement
7 - Establish and Sustain Commitment
8 - Measure for Success
Appendix A - Measurement Construct Examples
Appendix B - Information System Case Study
Appendix C - Synergy Integrated Copier Case Study

Note: Appendix A provides 14 detailed, complete examples of measurement constructs ("metrics"). Appendixes B and C provide 2 comprehensive case studies (approximately 60 pages).

It would require at least a 2-day workshop to address all the information provided by this book (probably at 10 times its price). You can't afford to miss it if you are more than casually interested in software measurement. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Off-the-shelf processes for CMMM level 3 and above orgs
There is a wealth of material available from the PSM site, including the PSM Insight application and PSM Guidebook. However this book is not redundant because it is structured as a clearly written introduction to practical software measurement, that includes excellent guidance for implementing it into your organization. In addition, the 304 pages that comprise this book manages to convey the information contained in the existing PSM documentation, and does so much more succinctly.

I found the most valuable parts of this book to be the clearly described measurement model, and the way the authors distinguish between data that is useful to projects and organizational data collection and analysis. This material places PSM in context and is a sound starting point for an organizational SQA initiative.

The case studies reinforces the mechanics of PSM, and also contain advice and pointers for implementing enterprise-wide measurement. Although I've been following the PSM initiative almost since its inception and have read all of the copious materials available, I still gained much from this book. If you're establishing an SQA function or striving for CMM level 4 or above you'll find this book invaluable. The URLs provided will lead to even more material, including a free Windows-based software tool that fully supports the practical software measurement process. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the primary reference, how-to guide, and sourcebook for energy conservation.It lets you improve efficiency and save money in all types of buildings and plants, ranging from individual houses to commercial buildings to large institutions and industrial plants.It is organized around 400 logically grouped energy conservation actions, presented in language that everyone understands.

It's for everyone who uses energy, pays for utilities, manages property, operates energy systems, designs, builds, and values conservation and the environment.It's loaded with features that help you quickly find the right information for each application. "Ratings" and "Selection Scorecards" identify your best conservation opportunities."Traps & Tricks" ensure success."Economics" estimate savings and costs.It has been acclaimed by professional and non-technical users.Publishers Weekly says it "answers just about any question [from] homeowner, plant manager, energy policy guru ... as practically useful as it is informative."830 photographs and drawings illustrate the methods.Hundreds of examples give you a feel for real applications.A complete index makes it easy to find every topic and term. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Superlative! A must have!
Superlative!  The ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANUAL by Donald Wulfinghoff is a "must have" for professionals, libraries, facility managers, policy makers, homeowners, and anyone else who is serious about saving energy and cashing in on lower energy bills. It is the ultimate energy saving resource for businesses, industry, and government. PLUS, it will save money and reduce pollution, satisfying corporate bottom lines, policy makers, and environmentalists all at the same time. This book is unique. Highly informative, illustration-rich, and user-friendly, it is treasure trove of everything you need to know about energy efficiency from A to Z. Don't bother looking elsewhere -- the ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANUAL simply has it all. This book will pay for itself almost as fast as you can spot a hot air leak or install an energy-efficient light bulb!

-- Amy Vickers

A secret weapon for the energy auditor
As an energy auditor I'd almost call the Energy Efficiency Manual a secret weapon, except it has so many good ideas that I can't help but show it to many of the customers and prospective customers I meet. The diagrams are very useful, as is the self contained but well cross-referenced way in which each improvement measure has been written. For example, talking to the maintenance manager of a hospital, we looked at the diagrams of hot/cold deck multi-zone systems while discussing the pros and cons of upgrading a constant volume air conditioning system to a variable volume system. It is by far the most useful book on energy management that I have ever read (well, in the case of the Energy Efficiency Manual, that I have partially read - its an enormously large book!), and the ratings of each of the measures are particularly useful, along with the practical, no-nonsense approach. The book is extremely well cross referenced and Wulfinghoff has covered an enormous body of knowledge in writing the book. As someone fairly new to the field I'm grateful that he went to the effort of documenting and making available his knowledge and 30 odd years experience in the Energy Efficiency Manual.

Everything you always wanted to know, in plain English
I nodded my head in agreement while reading Wulfinghoff's philosophy about energy savings in commercial and light industrial facilities. He distills 20+ years of experience in this field with practical, no-nonsense how-tos to gain energy and dollar savings in a wide variety of facilities and end-uses: lighting, water use, steam systems, space heating, water heating, air conditioning, scheduling, pumps, energy management controls: its all here in a well-written, well-illustrated book.

Perhaps best of all, the author goes beyond theoretical considerations of high-tech efficiency products, with precautions of what works and what might fall short. He also reminds facility managers to be mindful of the human factors that can foil our best efforts. He offers suggestions on how to plan and manage efficiency upgrades complete with information for building operators and occupants, so that the savings persist.

Highly recommended for anyone managing energy use in facilities, ranging from individual buildings to college campuses to government facilities. [I am a local government energy manager myself.]

Provides practical advice for avoiding pitfalls
Donald Wulfinghoff's Energy Efficiency Manual is a massive, 1,536-page reference work that is organized to guide the reader quickly to the right information for their particular energy project, problem, or inquiry. The first part of this "user friend" manual has 400 logically grouped activities for improving energy efficiency. each activity begins with Ratings and a Selection Scorecard to help the reader judge the merits and difficulties of that particular activity. "Economics" sidebars estimates the savings, cost, and payback period. The "Traps & Tricks" sidebars provides practical advice for avoiding pitfalls plaguing energy conservation efforts. Energy Efficiency Manual will earn back its cover price over and over again and is an essential, core reference for personal, professional, and community library energy conservation and energy efficiency reference book collections.

Efficiency in technical publications.
I have been in the Architect/Engineering business for over 20 years. There were several cases in the past where this book would have been of great value. The Energy Efficiency Manual is now my standard resource in saving money and energy for my clients. Mr. Wulfinghoff has invested over 20 years in compiling this manual and this is reflected in the quality of the content. I am particularly impressed with the format, which is extremely accessible to anyone. The book gets right to the point in a highly straightforward manner. I would recommend that authors of other technical books take note and attempt the same. It would certainly make my life easier. In other words I honestly feel that I got my money's worth this time and recommend it to anyone who wants to save energy. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

An Excellent Tool for all!!
This book has helped in all areas of our business. We are incorporating it into all of our processes!! Wonderful training tool for any organization.

Great tools for Leaning your facility
This book gave me great insight to re-initialized our lean efforts. We have been so busy and got caught up in the value stream mapping craze and kaizen events, but little impact. This book did a superb job in laying out the eight steps, with all the forms, templates necessary to ensure sustainable results. Great work by the authors!

Great Selection of Lean Tools
There are a considerable number of very useful tools contained in this book that we used immediately. This book allowed us to put in a process of lean implementation, simple in nature, and very effective.

Move Beyond Mapping...Value Stream Management
Great basic, easy to follow plan for implementing lean. Takes us far beyond just the mapping craze. Highly recommended for small and large organizations.

The Lean Book for Lean
What I found most beneficial in this book were the ready to use forms/worksheets/templates that I used with my lean team immediately. As a supervisor, this gives the structure for implementing lean, just what is needed, when it is needed. Lean design and very, very practical! ... Read more

Book Description

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)– 2000 Edition is your basic reference and the world’s de facto standard for the project management profession. It was designated an American National Standard (ANSI/PMI 99-001-2000) by the American National Standards Institute in March 2001.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) is an inclusive term that describes the sum of knowledge within the profession of project management. The PMBOK® Guide identifies and describes the subset of principles and practices within the PMBOK® that are generally accepted and applicable to most projects most of the time. The guide also provides a common lexicon for talking about project management. Project management is a relatively young profession, and while there is substantial commonality around what is done, there is relatively little commonality in the terms used. An extensive glossary further aids in standardizing definitions of the most important concepts, terms, and phrases.

The Project Management Institute (PMI®) uses the PMBOK® Guide as one of the references for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Examination. Major revisions and expansions of this edition include:

• Aligned newly added processes, tools, and techniques with the five project processes and nine knowledge areas. For example, reserve time, variance analysis, and activity attributes were added to Chapter 6 (Project Time Management); estimating publications and earned value were added to Chapter 7 (Project Cost Management); and project reports, project presentations, and project closure were added to Chapter 10 (Project Communications Management).

• Added a section in Chapter 2 to acknowledge the role of the Project Office; expanded the treatment of earned value management in Chapter 4 and Chapter 10; and added a brief discussion of the Theory of Constraints in Chapter 6.

• Expanded Chapter 11 (Project Risk Management) to include six processes instead of the previous four: Risk Management Planning, Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, RiskQuantification, Risk Response Planning, and Risk Monitoring and Control.

• Strengthened the linkage between organizational strategy and project management throughout.

The PMBOK® Guide is one of those indispensable tools that you will want at your fingertips, both at work and in your home office. Selected as a suggested resource for CAPM®, CAQ® Automotive Product Development, CAQ Capital Projects, CAQ Information Technology Systems, CAQ Information Technology Networking, and CAQ Project Management Office exam preparation.

Look for official translations in 8 languages:
• Chinese
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean ... Read more

Reviews (22)

A Requirement for PMP exam, but not everything.
I'm a a certified PMP and purchased this book because PMI says it is the basis for the exam. The problem is that it's incredibly boring and does not include all the information on the test! Although all the project management processes are detailed and the terms are defined, it does not really teach you on how to apply and understand project management. There are also no practice questions included in the PMBOK and this is an absolute requirement before you sit for the test. You must also purchase an independant study guide book. I recommend PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy. It is well written, an enjoyable read, and includes many topics that appear on the exam that are not included in the PMBOK (i.e. Professional Responsibility etc.).

_The_ Project Management Standard
The PMI has put together a book that is the definitive project management standard. Within the concise 200 or so pages, expect to get an overview of all the general areas of project management.

This book describes a generic project management model, suitable across many disciplines. It is written to be a standard. While it is authoritative and something you should definitely read, it is tough reading for beginners. The book does not proceed in the same sequence as project phases. It makes the book difficult to read as a textbook.

If you are a beginner I suggest that you purchase a copy of this book immediately but do not attempt to read it yet. Buy yourself a basic book on project management. Participate and lead projects. As you face issues within your project, refer to this book. You will find your study will be richly rewarded.

Anyone appearing for the PMP exam must know this material like the back of their hands. Spend a lot of time here. Keep in mind however that this book is not a repository of knowledge, it is a roadmap.

In summary, not a trivial read, but a rewarding one.

Essential reference fo PMP
This book is a good reference and should be used as a reference book. You need to know the content of this book to pass the PMP. However, don't use thie book at the only source of study. Get a copy of Andy Crowe's "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try" and "The Ultimate PMP Study Aid" (from ebay).

By the way, when your join the PMI memnbership, they will send a CDROM verson of the book free.

Good reference, but you will fail PMP if you rely only on it
This reference is good for a base of terminology for Project Management. Unfortunately, because the difference between an IT project and a Construction project is so great, the BOK can only address high-level concepts. The golden nugget is that what the BOK does address are time-tested standards that help all project managers.

Why do you make a Charter? What goes in it? What do you get out of it? The BOK answers all these questions. By following the framework, your projects will have a fighting chance and not get caught up in a tangle of disorganization.

As for the PMP-applicability of this reference, it does not address contracts, team-building, or ethics, which are all required for passing the test. When I studied for the test, I spent about 5% of my time studying the PMBOK and 95% on other reference materials. I earned my PMP after 5 weeks of studying, without memorizing anything from the BOK.

Essential Classic
This book is certainly a must have for the management of BIG projects. It is extremely rich in a wide area of relevant details. It is extremely good as a reference. It is good, if your specific area has not an established project methodology.

On the other hand I do not like the book for reading and learning. It feels like reading a book on income taxes regulations, though a good one. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The best beginning SPC book on the market
Dr. Wheeler has given a major contribution to the field of statistical process control in this work. With depth and breadth of material, Wheeler has created a simple yet powerful guide to a topic that at times can be quite intimidating to the statistically untrained. With his simple and illustrative presentation style, this book is easily accessible to all levels of practitioners - professional statisticians will enjoy and benefit from the book as well as novices in the field. While only taking two or three hours to read, it is a treasure-trove of information and we have successfully used it as a textbook in a basic seminar in statistical process control. I think this is an important and landmark piece of work, quite worthy to be mentioned in the same breath with works from legendary figures in the field such as Deming and Shewhart

Great book for understanding SPC and process control
My manager at work recommended this book to me as I was about to begin an SPC project. This book was a lifesaver. Wheeler has made SPC easy to understand. As a beginner, I found the work invaluable and I still use it for reference material today

Enlightening
I am a non-technical, non-mathematician, steeped in Deming-oriented Continuous Improvement, which I teach at university-level. This is simply the best (and easiest to read) book on the subject of 'control-chart' based SPC. It's in a class all by itself. It's an enlightening book about Life. It will change the way you look at and understand phenomenon. I wish Wheeler would write a series of such books, treating the rest of mathematics in as enlightening and cogent a fashion.

Deming for Dummies
Wheeler serves up the best concise easily understood description I have ever seen for both statistical process control and the Deming management philosophy. No executive or manager responsible for imporving an organization can afford ignorance of the information in this compact volume. A leader blessed with competent statisticians may find that Wheeler's book suffices without other material covering the matter in greater depth. Leaders lacking support from statistically sophisticated staff may feel a need to stiffen their understanding with Deming's _Out of the Crisis_ and _The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education_. Even without a thorough understanding of continuous improvement philosophy, Wheeler's book, properly applied to your business, should easily offer an RoI well over 1,000,000%.

It takes SIX years to realize the power of this book
I have read this book since 1996; but, I can just feel the power of Wheeler's thought and techniques when I attend a seminar for Safety Professionals in PAPUA today ( Jan 23, 2002 ). Yes, we have been thoroughly cultivating Wheeler's profound breakthrough amidst one of the densest rainforest. ... Read more

Book Description

This well-written, comprehensive book strikes the perfect balance between both the managerial issues and quantitative techniques of operations. A major thrust of the revision includes increased emphasis on information technology and the effect of the Internet and e-business on operations management.A four-part organization covers the strategic importance of operations, designing the operating system, managing the supply chain, and ensuring quality.For project managers and other business personnel who need to manage and improve processes. ... Read more

Book Description

Written in a simple and user-friendly style, this book covers all the basics of supply chain management and production and inventory control. It is the only book listed in the APICS-The Educational Society for Resource Management CPIM Exam Content Manual as the text reference for the Basics of Supply Chain Management (BSCM) CPIM certification examination. 15 separate chapters discuss an introduction to materials management, production planning system, master scheduling, material requirements planning, capacity management, production activity control, purchasing, forecasting, inventory fundamentals, order quantities, independent demand ordering systems, physical inventory and warehouse management, physical distribution, products and processes, just-in-time manufacturing, and total quality management. For business personnel whose job functions include materials management, and production and inventory control.

Reviews (6)

Good book to start learing materials Managements
I read the 4th Edition , it is very good

a concise introduction to materials management
I think this is the right book to start studying materials management.Each chapter, written in an easy to read manner, offers a great deal of systematically classified information on every aspect of production planning and control. I suggest reading the book with the accompanying case book, which also covers lots of useful material though with some typographical errors.
If chapters were outlined in more detail with subsections it would help facilitate a clearer understanding and enable following up points of reference more easily.
I and my students found it both useful and enjoyable in class.

This is the best book for the CPIM Exam, but ...
there are better books on Manufacturing. The third edition was written to make the book agree with APICS terminology, and the fourth edition is not a major rewrite. If you are buying this book to study for the CPIM Exam, save yourself some money and buy the third edition used.

My problem with this book can best be shown with an example. On page 61 (3d ed.) "The master production schedule is a plan for the production of individual end items." Later (p.79) "Planning bills are an artificial grouping of components for planning purposes." "They are used to simplify forecasting, master production scheduling, and material requirements planning. They do not represent buldable products, but an average product."

So which is it, does the MPS contain only hard orders to be filled, or hard orders AND planning bills, or should we also add forecasts of families of products. I believe that an MPS that contained ONLY hard orders would be useless.

For a book that I wouldn't be without, see: "Manufacturing for Survival" by Blair Williams." It doesn't use APICS terminology, but it does have more useful information.

The best book for the first CPIM Exam, but ...
there are better books on Manufacturing. The third edition was written to make the book agree with APICS terminology, and the fourth edition is not a major rewrite. If you are buying this book to study for the CPIM Exam, save yourself some money and buy the third edition used.

My problem with this book can best be shown with an example. On page 61 (3d ed.) "The master production schedule is a plan for the production of individual end items." Later (p.79) "Planning bills are an artificial grouping of components for planning purposes." "They are used to simplify forecasting, master production scheduling, and material requirements planning. They do not represent buldable products, but an average product."

So which is it, does the MPS contain only hard orders to be filled, or hard orders AND planning bills, or should we also add forecasts of families of products. I believe that an MPS that contained ONLY hard orders would be useless.

For a book that I wouldn't be without, see: "Manufacturing for Survival" by Blair Williams." It doesn't use APICS terminology, but it does have more useful information.

Easy Read - Tons of Information
Of all the supply chain type books I own, this is by far the easiest to understand. I will read the chapters to gain the understanding then move to another text if I felt I wanted a deeper level.

This book is perfect as a reference for APICs certification. ... Read more

Book Description

• Discover what a supply chain is and how it works
• Utilize technology to boost efficiency and responsiveness
• Align your supply chain with market demands
• Learn how to develop pragmatic supply chain systems

ESSENTIALS OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Full of valuable tips, techniques, illustrative real-world examples, exhibits, and best practices, this handy and concise paperback will help you stay up to date on the newest thinking, strategies, developments, and technologies in supply chain management.

"Mr. Hugos uses a fluid writing style that takes a difficult subject and makes it read like a novel. I read it quickly and continue to use it as a reference guide. We provide services and materials to the fortune 500 and this book provides us with a thought process that endures as well as simple actions that will increase our bottom line immediately."
–Michael J. Chakos, Chief Operating Officer, Kenny Industrial Services

"Michael Hugos does an excellent job of informing the reader on the latest concepts and technologies of supply chain management (SCM). The real jewel in this book can be found in the way that Mr. Hugos was able to provide a solid set of frameworks that will enable the business executive to link SCM to strategy and, at the same time, measure its effectiveness."
–John ODonnell, President, NA Commercial Business, Georgia-Pacific Corporation

"This book takes a purportedly very complex subject and reduces it to easily understandable concepts. It very clearly and concisely explains how to determine your companys place in the value chain and how to enhance your companys value in that chain. It should be required reading for all business students and current managers who are searching for better ways to compete in todays marketplace. I have marked several pages that contain concepts I want to put in practice immediately."
–Sunil Arora, Vice President, Global eBusiness, Anixter International, Inc. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Enlightened!
As a person with little time lately for personal reading, I have to be judicious about my reading adventures. I feel that Mr. Hugos created a very "easy read", while providing ample information about his topic to educate the person "on the go".

My profession involves interfacing with CIOs daily, and I can now feel more confident in my acumen around the Supply Chain Management space. I think Mr. Hugos accomplished his objective of enlightening executives about this topic, w/o using the "techno-speak" that often chases them away. Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I am interested in finding out more about the "Essentials" series.

Mr. Hugos, I thank you!

A New Voice
Michael Hugos is a new voice to the John Wiley & Sons "Essentials" series of business texts and a most welcome voice at that. Clearly, he has attacked a complex subject in supply chain management. To Mr. Hugos' ultimate credit, he delivers the reader into his world of supply chain management without hiding behind techno-jargon. Imagine this: a plain-speaking CIO/author with a vision and an ability to simplify the complex without talking down to his reader. Quite simply, Mr. Hugos' book is a freshing wind of IT knowledge and know how.
If you wish to understand supply chain management, buy this book.

Kelly Yaksich
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel
Dex Media

Great coverage of 'the nuts and bolts'.
The book focuses on operational and tactical aspects of supply chain management. The coverage is clear, logical and highlights key points well. Each chapter ends with a summary. There is a wealth of figures, tips and techniques and explanatory "boxes", all of which are concise, relevant and useful.
Supply chain management has moved rapidly from 'poor relation' to high strategy, driving strategic alliances and involving world wide logistics. This book does no more than touch on these wider strategic issues; its concern is with the fundamentals which provide the platform on which strategy can be successful. It succeeds admirably within its objectives.

Nice introductory book
I would like to thank Mr.Michael H. Hugos for bringing such a nice introductory book to this most confusing field. He has explained very well how supply chain management is different from rest of the operations management literature. He has also thrown light on certain conflicting and very important issue like Supply Chain Performance. Good Luck...

Great Introduction to Supply Chain Management
As a consultant in this area, I have recommended this book to my clients. This well-structured, easy-to-read book is an excellent introduction to concepts of Supply Chain Management. Its target audience, executives who must learn about supply chain in order to make strategic decisions, could be expanded to include any person who wants or needs to learn about supply chain. I highly recommend it as a first book for any project manager who is new to this are.
The book contains 8 chapters, each with a similar structure: a list of the learning and performance objectives of preceding the actual content, which is presented in a logical and interesting way. The content is accompanied by helpful diagrams and a series of examples or case studies labeled "Executive Insight" or "In the Real World". It also contains lists of helpful "Tips and Techniques".
The author begins with an overview of the general concepts of Supply Chain Management. One of the objectives of this chapter is to be able to "Start an intelligent conversation about supply chain management issues in your company" It is a tall order, and the author succeeds, introducing the neophyte to the basic concepts of Production, Inventory, Location, Transportation and Inventory with clear and concise prose. In a very interesting example, Hugos uses the story of Alexander the Great to illustrate how a good supply chain functions.
The following 4 chapters systematically cover the basics of supply chain: Planning and Sourcing, Making and Delivering, Coordination and Technology and Supply Chain Metrics. Each of these chapters takes up the fundamental concepts involved and explains them in a simple and understandable fashion. For those that are reading this book as an introduction to supply chain, there will be many an "aha"of understanding as you read along. Of particular interest for the IT project manager, Hugos explains at length what the various technologies are that serve the supply chain.
In the final 2 chapters the author assists the reader in analyzing the type of market(s) that their company targets, and how to determine and plan for a supply chain to succesfully serve them. As well, the chapter includes a number of usefel tools and techniques that can be used to plan out a supply chain project. Most project managers should find this section to be very useful. He closes the book with a look to the future, and uses the concept of "Emergent Behavior" to make predictions about supply chains of the future. He explains how supply chains will develop "Self Adjusting Feedback Loops", using automation to keep information constantly flowing around the loop.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Supply Chain Management. It will be helpful in particular to project managers and IT professionals who want to work in the manufacturing sector. It is well thought out and eminently readable!
Kevin Callahan, The PMCi ... Read more

Book Description

Focusing on how Operations Management (OM) fits into the business environment, this book takes OM beyond the factory setting by illustrating how OM is everywhere. By approaching the subject in an applied fashion, it introduces readers to all aspects of OM and allows them to immediately apply that knowledge to the business environment. Continuing on the success of the first edition, this new edition includes increased use of spreadsheets, more problems and case studies, and new and expanded coverage of the role of OM in the organization. In addition, it covers such current topics as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and periodic order review. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent How-To Guide
I have been looking long and hard for a simple, step-by-step guide to implementing Lean methodologies in my facility and I have finally found it. Most of the Lean books I've seen up to this point discuss high-level concepts, without detailing the steps and tools needed to put the strategy into practice. However, this book (more of a "how-to" manual, really) outlines all the tasks needed to move from a traditional batch manufacturing system to a Lean environment.

It covers everything from project scoping to line design to Kanban materials movement systems. Not only that, the author provides all the tools (formulas, charts, project management tips, etc.) to guide you through the process. He's also provided methods, like the daily resource planning tool, that help you manage the line after the Lean processes are up and running.

I'm using the guide now for my line reconfiguration, and have gotten it for everyone on my implementation team. This book is good for any manufacturer that is planning to implement Lean, but doesn't have a plan for how to go about it.

Highly recommended!

Finally! A Pragmatic Approach to Lean Manufacturing!
This is the first book that I have read on Lean Manufacturing that was not a reflection of the author's ego masquerading behind a plethora of platitudes and hedonism. Mr. Hobbs uses a lexicon of terms and applications anybody can understand, making this not only a useful implementation tool, but also a dynamic resource and training tool. As proof, we assembled an implementation team of personnel from all areas of our factory, and were successful in converting two of our product lines in less than twelve weeks simply by following Mr. Hobbs' book. We plan on completing the other seven by the end of Q2. If you want to reap the rewards and benefits as a Lean Manufacturer, I highly recommend this book!

A highly recommended "get-things-done" guide
In Lean Manufacturing Implementation: A Complete Execution Manual For Any Size Manufacturer, business consultant Dennis P. Hobbs draws upon his more than thirty years of experience in the manufacturing sector to present a no-nonsense, go-getter business guide offering a project management approach guided by a "how-to" sequence in order to make manufacturing processes lean and efficient. Emphasizing how to make a factory conversion to "Lean Manufacturing" without hiring expensive consultants -- as well as offering practical information concerning resource identification, line design, operational definition, pull chains, pull sequences, replenishment time and more, Lean Manufacturing Implementation is a highly recommended "get-things-done" guide that specifically focuses upon what is needed and necessary to get results. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The *real* General
After only reading a few pages of this book I could see that this Toyota has a lethal weapon i