Book Description

Reviews (2)

An Operations Manager Must Read!
I have used this book in class and find it to be outstanding. It is user-friendly for all audiences, instructors, students, CEOs, Operations Managers, and the 65% of the organization that must work with Operations Managers. It is filled with in-depth, but easy to understand examples for those who are not experts or currently working in the Operations Management function. However, it is a must read for the experts as it provides many insights on how your system should connect with other organizational functions, and recommendations as to how you can optimize your system. This book along with "The Goal" by Eli Goldratt is the perfect marriage for those serious about Production Operations Management.

An excellent Book
I have used this book in my operations management courses both, in undergraduate and graduate courses. What I liked more of this book is the wide range of examples provided, the solved problems and the quality of the materials that the book is made.

I also liked The way that it present complicated matter in a simple way. I recomend it to those who needs a pragmatic approach on Production and operations management. ... Read more

Book Description

Today, animation is more prevalent than ever in television, films, video games, and the Internet. Karen Raugust has created a much needed, comprehensive look at the entire business. She shows in detail how a successful animation studio or entrepreneur operates, describes the process of developing an animation property from the concept stage through the finished product, and outlines business methods used to create and sell animated media.

Topics covered include:
* Distribution, sales, and marketing methods
* Financing, budgeting, costs and revenue opportunities
* The creation of ancillary entertainment and merchandise
* Animation in international markets.

The Animation Business Handbook is the quintessential reference for anyone in or considering entering the animation industry. ... Read more

Book Description

Operations Management, Third Edition, is a student-friendly text that consistently covers the most important key concepts and recent trends in production and operations management. This new third edition covers such universal and vital issues as facility, layout, quality control, supply chain management, and scheduling control - providing an excellent tool in preparing students to move from classroom concepts to workplace implementation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Operations what?
A some times daunting area of business where taking a systematic approach is often difficult.

Too often authors of this area segregate the subject of operations management to only one area of business leaving business professionals confused, wondering what relevance it has to their area of business. Dilworth takes the reader through the fundamental aspects of operations management in a flexible way that can be applied to almost any industry. Of particular interest is the area of supply chain management where Dilworth has taken a modern and inovative approach to an important area of the value chain often ignored. Dilworth has really out done himself. Well done Dilworth!

5 Stars!!

Operations what?
A some times daunting area of business where taking a systematic approach is often difficult.

Too often authors of this area segregate the subject of operations management to only one area of business leaving business professionals confused, wondering what relevance it has to their area of business. Dilworth takes the reader through the fundamental aspects ofoperations management in a flexible way that can be applied to almost any industry. Of particular interest is the area of supply chain management where Dilworth has taken a modern and inovative approach to an important area of the value chain often ignored. Dilworth has really out done himself. Well done Dilworth. ... Read more

Book Description

Manufacturing systems don't exist in a vacuum, isolated from the rest of the company, but they are often managed that way. A truly effective, highly competitive manufacturing company integrates its manufacturing, marketing, sales, purchasing, and financial functions into a well-coordinated whole. Manufacturing at Warp Speed: Optimizing Supply Chain Financial Performance explains in detail how to coordinate all these functions to maximize sales revenue while controlling inventory and overhead costs. Ultimately, the effects of applying the new Simplified-Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR II) introduced by the authors include dramatically faster manufacturing cycle times, shorter order-to-delivery lead times, higher on-time delivery reliability, and better customer satisfaction.The book gives you everything a typical production professional needs to implement this new DBR approach. A supplemental feature - the Management Interactive Case Study Simulator (MICSS) - is included with the book. This CD-ROM sets up a virtual company where you can test and practice the processes you learn in the book before implementing them in your organization. The book and software together constitute the complete package for learning how to streamline manufacturing operations. The first book available on second generation Drum-Buffer-Rope, Manufacturing at Warp Speed: Optimizing Supply Chain Financial Performance describes the simplest, most efficient methods for reducing manufacturing cycle time and increasing the speed of manufacturing yet devised. Fully illustrated, with numerous examples, case studies, and manufacturing scenarios, the book is so easy to read that even the novice can understand it. Correct use of this new method practically assures your company has the competitive advantage. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent
A terrific for book for those wanting to bridge the gap between reading "The Goal" and putting it into everyday practice. The authors explain the fundamentals of Theory of Constraints and drum-buffer-rope scheduling, and present seductive logic for a new simplified drum-buffer-rope called S-DBR.

Through the use of diagrams called clouds, most people will immediately recognise a host of the day-to-day production problems that they face and the solutions for their removal. There is an important discussion of V, A, and T plant configurations that will help managers to better understand their own plants. The financial, tactical, and strategic implications of TOC are also investigated. Integral to the text is CD-ROM simulation that allows you to run various plants for a significant period of time in order to experience the undesirable effects and their solutions first-hand.

People who are serious about rapidly improving the bottom line performance of their organisations should read this book.

Must Read
The authors have shown us how the the Theory of Constraints can improve your business quickly and effectively. They clearly explain how it operates within existing legacy systems or can be used as the basis for a much improved brand new solution. If you are looking for the definitive reference source that answers those questions you have about TOC in a supply chain solution, then look no longer. "Manufacturing at Warp Speed" is a must read for those investigating leading edge solutions and for the seasoned TOC experts.

Missed the point
Sorry guys.....but this is a very POORLY written book. It has a tendency to bounce all over the place and leaves the reader wondering what point are they trying to make? It also discusses neanderthal technology. Haven't these guys heard of the "Three Step Method", or "Control Point Theory". I think if I were wanting information about how to "Manufacture at Warp Speed" I would think they should at least know how to get to warp speed. This books doesn't have the answers.......it missed the point. ... Read more

Book Description

"This classic guide enables you to learn from the successes and failures of leading companies, explore new cost control and risk management techniques . . . and obtain the information needed to study for the PMI Certification exam."
-The Design-Build Institute of America
"This book is more like an encyclopedia of project management than simply a textbook . . . Once you've been through this text, it will become a well-used reference on your bookshelf. Somewhere inside, Dr. Kerzner has addressed at least a portion of whatever you're looking for."
-Dr. Don Shanfelt, PMP
E-Commerce PM for WorldCom, and adjunct IT professor in Colorado Springs Project management at its best-a banner edition of the landmark reference This latest edition of the bestselling "bible" of project management brings outstanding coverage of the basic principles and concepts of project management right up to date with the latest developments in the field. Written by one of the best-known and respected authorities on the subject, it is essential reading for today's and tomorrow's professionals involved in project management. It covers every key aspect of the subject, from the intricate framework of organizational behavior and structure that can determine project success to the planning, scheduling, and controlling processes vital to effective project management. New features include:
* Up-to-date coverage of global project management, the project management maturity model, "six sigma", and conflict resolution modes
* Dozens of real-world case studies and hundreds of sample problems across a wide range of industries ... Read more

Reviews (28)

The Best Made Even Better!
I have relied on this book for years as the single source for the critical project management information I've needed. The only way the author could have improved it is by streamlining some of the content. I bought my copy of the 8th edition - and he has done just that! This book has been completely revised and streamlined! It is still the best source of information for the PMI Certification Exam. I rely on it almost daily as an off-the-shelf reference while I'm on the job! If you have skipped buying Kerzner's book in the past because you've seen it all - now's the time to upgrade your library.

The Source for Project Management Questions
If you have questions on any aspect of Project Management, this is the book to consult. From organizational behavior and structure to planning, scheduling and controlling processes vital to the successful practice of project management. Most of the vital issues are discussed in a thorough, thoughtful way.

If the book has a weakness, it is in the area of Integration - in my mind, the most difficult section of the PMP exam. The book is not only written as an undergraduate and graduate students, but also functional and senior managers. Its structure reveals the author's apparent belief that the practice of project management is more behavioral than quantitative.

His first five chapters lay the foundation for an understanding of project management principles. Chapters 6 through 8 deal with support functions of conflict and time management; chapters 9 and 10 deal with management support. Quantitative approaches to planning, time, cost and performance are developed in Chapters 11 to 15. Chapter 16 deals discusses trade-offs. The balance of the book deals with advanced topic and future trends.

If your budget limits you to the purchase of one project management, this is the one to own.

This book is not a how to.
I had to use this book for a project management class. I can safely say that everyone taking the course dislikes this book. I could see this being used as a reference later on after one has a good foundation built in project management but as for someone looking to break in to the subject, without someone who is experienced in PMP standing over you explaining the confusing charts and graphs, this book would bore someone to the point that the rewards of project management aren't worth the torture of having to read this book.

Not engaging, too repetitive, and ineffectual bulleted lists
I am a 2nd-year MBA student taking a course in Project Management, and this is the required text for the course. The professor insists that this is the preferred text for PM courses at other universities, but everyone in the class (the professor included) is thoroughly unimpressed by this book.

The first half of the book focuses largely on soft skills, and is mainly a rehash of the topics covered in a basic organizational behavior class, or even a psychology or sociology class. The material covered is very dry and very repetitive, and is almost entirely solid text, with few diagrams to illustrate the points of the discussion. The author also makes excessive use of verbose bulleted lists. Normally, I appreciate bulleted lists as an easy to read, concise way of conveying information, but this author often composes each bullet point as its own paragraph. Such an approach defeats the purpose of using bullets in the first place.

The second half of the text does improve somewhat over the first half. It begins an explanation of the more tangible aspects of project management, including the creation of work breakdown structures, scheduling projects, making budget projections, and applying techniques to keep a project on track. However, the style of writing is still quite thick, and makes for a slow read.

As of now, I have limited exposure to project management, and I have read no other books to which I can compare this one. However, I would be surprised if there isn't a better book on the market. Kerzner's book will eventually give you the information you're seeking, but you'll have to work hard to get there, and you'll need to wade through a lot of excess to get to the real meat of the topic.

Comprehensive. One stop for Project Management knowledge.
Several people I have talked to seem to have mixed feelings about this book. Most never get past the first few pages in the book and many are afraid not to have this book prominently displayed on their desks. The latter is to avoid someone mistaking them for a junior project manager.

The best way to review this monumental book on project management is to list the most common arguments for and against the book.

The book presents comprehensive knowledge of project management that you can substitute only by purchasing several books on the subject by other authors. Dr. Harold Kerzner is also one of the most respected experts on Project Management. Dr. Kerzner now has several companion books to supplement this main text book. One area that the book was considered lacking in the past was with regards to case studies. You can now buy his latest book that is dedicated to covering just case studies. The writing style is extremely easy to read and follow. Once you read his explanation on any topic, you will find that it is hard to disagree with him because his explanations are very compelling.

The reasons many people have disliked the book - the book is too boring to read, it is too long a book, it is a compilation of bullet lists, there are not enough case studies (or problems/exercises), etc. I can't say anything about the first complaint because it is actually true but if you are in the middle of a project and have a burning question, I can promise you that is isn't so boring to pull up the relevant section in the book and find a reasonable explanation to your question. The book is very long because it is an exhaustive treatment of the Project Management field. There is no reason to read it in one sitting. Regarding being a compilation of bullet lists, it does seem that way. But when you have been in project management for a while and have an appreciation for the difficulty of the field, the lists don't get in the way. The author has enough explanations surrounding the bullet lists that I never found them annoying. To address the complaints regarding case studies, problems/exercises, there is now a book dedicated to case studies and I believe there have always been workbooks that he authored which contained more problems/exercises.

A good approach to follow regarding the usage of this book is to buy it early on in your career but stop after reading just the first few chapters. As you are gaining experience and have been exposed to a majority of the project management field, it is time to refer to this book more often. I have followed the book through several editions over the years and looked up various topics as questions popped up in my mind while going through a project. I am yet to finish the whole book (this is my 7th year reading the various editions of his book) after all these years but I didn't expect to. It is a great reference book and I have been using it as one.

There are better books to read on project management if you looking for a quick overview. 'The Little Black Book of Project Management' by Michael Thomsett comes to mind along with 'Project Management - Planning and Control' by Rory Burke. If you are looking for help with the PMP preparation, I highly recommend 'PMP Exam Prep' by Rita Mulcahy. Read my review on her book for more detailed information on taking the exam.

IIL offers several Project Management classes that are taught by excellent instructors if you like what you read in this book and are looking for more of the same. A copy is given out as part of the class materials (for some of their classes). I hope you benefit from reading this book as much as I did and thanks for your patience. This is indeed a difficult book to review. ... Read more

Book Description

This new series of fifteen books - The Food Service Professional Guide TO Series from the editors of the Food Service Professional are the best and most comprehensive books for serious food service operators available today.

These step-by-step guides on a specific management subject range from finding a great site for your new restaurant to how to train your wait staff and literally everything in between. They are easy and fast -to-read, easy to understand and will take the mystery out of the subject. The information is "boiled down" to the essence. They are filled to the brim with up to date and pertinent information.

The books cover all the bases, providing clear explanations and helpful, specific information. All titles in the series include the phone numbers and web sites of all companies discussed. What you won’t find are wordy explanations, tales of how someone did it better, or a scholarly lecture on the "theory". Think of them as "Cliff Notes TM" on the subject matter.

Every paragraph in each of the books are comprehensive, well researched, engrossing, and just plain fun-to-read, yet are packed with interesting ideas. You’ll be using your highlighter a lot! The best part aside from the content is they are very moderately priced. You can also purchase the whole 15 book series the isbn number is 0-910627-26-6. You are bound to get a great new idea to try on every page if not out of every paragraph. Do not be put off by the low price, these books really do deliver the critical information and eye opening ideas you need you to succeed without the fluff so commonly found in more expensive books on the subject. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Book
Great Book! I Found These step-by-step guides easy-to-read, and easy to understand! The books are packed with information. They reminded me of "cliff Notes" from my college days.The information is comprehensive without the fluff you find in so many of the more expensive books out there on the subject. The books are also packed with resources such as phone numbers and the web sites of the companies they are discussing - there is no "theory" just great information. ... Read more

Book Description

The coverage in SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: A BALANCED APPROACH is balanced and uses a broad brush to encompass OM, purchasing, and distribution with a supply chain management focus and covers a great deal of content that isn't currently available. The book guides the reader through how all aspects of supply chain activity are accomplished effectively and efficiently. ... Read more

Book Description

In the great Zen tradition of teaching stories, Marc Lesser relates his own personal and professional trials as he navigates the delicate path of managing a successful business while staying true to his spiritual roots. Struggling through a difficult economic climate, he also faces the usual challenges of running a growing company - meeting payroll, balancing cash flow, hiring and firing employees, and maintaining relationships with vendors and customers. Guiding him through these difficulties while providing strength and insight is the practice of Zen. Utilizing his training as a Zen practitioner, Lesser learns to apply specific teachings such as the eight-fold path directly to work and life. In chapters such as "Work: The Impossible Request," "Appreciating Uncertainty," and "Accomplishing More by Doing Less," Z.B.A. provides readers with intimate, helpful advice, while acknowledging the paradox of applying spiritual practice to the business world. ... Read more

Book Description

"Even the best companies tend to be reactive because of poor scheduling. Often their employees prefer being reactive because they are so used to operating in this mode. The shoot-from-the-hip approach is very common in American culture. The West was won with a ‘six-shooter’and many shop floor managers continue to function in the shoot-from-the-hip mode. While there are some conditions that might benefit from the shoot-from-the-hip philosophy, modern competitive manufacturing is not one of them." —from Finite Capacity Scheduling In this groundbreaking book, internationally recognized experts explain why obsolete scheduling methodologies may be preventing your company from achieving competitive levels of productivity, and how today’s powerful new finite capacity scheduling (FCS) technologies can transform it into a world-class competitor. The first comprehensive guide to understanding, choosing, implementing, and managing FCS technologies, Finite Capacity Scheduling:

• Exposes the problems inherent to infinite capacity scheduling models
• Explains why FCS is the key to modern competitive manufacturing
• Shows how FCS maximizes resource use and cuts inventory costs
• Proves that FCS is a natural complement to MRP, ERP, TQM, and JIT
• Reviews current and emerging FCS technologies
• Offers guidelines for choosing the best FCS system for your company
• Describes how to integrate FCS seamlessly into your management structure

Reviews (8)

Required Reading
This book was written for manufacturing management at all levels interested in increasing productivity, thus profits. It is non-technical in nature and easily understood by all that will be positively affected by its well constructed contents.

One must remember that MRP was created in the early days by hardware vendors intent upon selling iron. It was an algorithm designed for purchasing material needed for production based upon a nebulous forecast that ran backwards in an infinite mode. To make a point, think about infinity in a backward mode before you go to sleep tonight-go to bed early.

Unfortunately, the computer power at the time was insufficient to solve the real problem on shop floor-planning and scheduling of very finite capacities to consume the material that MRP recommended. The obvious result: bloated inventories.

MRP soon became a creed not to be violated no matter that the better half of the problem of shop floor control was still unsolved by expensive automation.

This book should be made required reading by all manufacturing management staff. The result will be a very pleasant surprise for all involved.

Should be required reading at top business schools.
1-5? definitely a five star book

Should you buy and read the book Finite Capacity Scheduling?

Yes, and they should require it at Havard Business School, Manchester School of Business, Havard, Columbia, Wharton and Stanford Business School as required reading. Additionally the theories, which are now being proven in many industries will soon hit the service industry markets.

It is a wonder how we can keep up the smaller and smaller margins in the manufacturing sector and still do everything the old way? If you really want to win the game and understand how to maximize every resource in the manufacturing process, you have to read this book. Buy a highlighter. There is so much great information, you will definitely need it.

great disappointment
It seems that the aim of the writers is to sell FCS systems instead of explaining how they work. They always compare FCS systems with other systems (such as MRP systems); but how can you compare systems that are supposed to do quite different things? After reading the whole book i can say, my knowledge of the matter is the same as before. I could have used my time (and money) better.

Clarity in an unclear marketspace
The authors have done the FCS community a service by providing a unified treatment with a taxonomy that can clear the air in a market filled with meaningless jargon and narrow agendas. While not a "how to" (and never pretends to be so this is not a criticism), there is useful broad advice in how to select a package to insure that the business needs will be addressed with a FCS system. The one area lacking is for all the authors' efforts to tackle the top-level issues in FCS, they missed a golden opportunity to remind the readers to not be distracted by the glitz in APS because at the heart of every APS is the need to address a real world FCS problem. The importance of a quality FCS engine, reinforced by the book, cannot be overstated for any business considering some form of scheduling technology.

Finite Capacity Scheduling: Management, Selection, and Imple
For more than 20 years, I have been looking for someone to easily explain the basic principles and practices of FCS. Here's a book that takes the complexity out of the subject and makes it simple to understand with examples and antedotes that clearly illustrate the subject details. Rarely have I been able to pick up a book on a techical subject and find myself "getting into it" because the style and content is so interesting.

There are few experts on the subject of FCS. Bill Kirchmier and his associate have, both, demonstrated their expertise and writing skill to put across a difficult subject in such easy to understand laymans language.

I commend this book to anyone who has the idea of evaluating and/or implementing Finite Capacity Scheduling as a process for improving their current or future manufactuirng production throughput. ... Read more

Book Description

A culmination of 15 years of research, teaching, and consulting, The Complete Guide to Predictive and Preventive Maintenance shares the best practices, mistakes, victories, and essential steps for success which the author has gleaned from working with countless organizations. Unlike other books that only focus on the engineering issues (task lists) or management issues (CMMS), this in-depth resource is the first to give true emphasize to the four aspects of success in preventive maintenance systems-- engineering, management, economic, and psychological. This in turn will enable readers to have a balanced view and understanding of what is happening in their organizations. Blending concrete actionable steps and structures with the theory behind the steps, The Complete Guide to Predictive and Preventive Maintenance is sure to be valuable to maintenance directors, maintenance managers, maintenance engineers, planners, maintenance supervisors, PM group leaders, and PM mechanics.

FEATURES

o Includes check sheets, history of PM, stories, photographs, and case histories.

o Contains a glossary of terms. o Provides sample task lists for a variety of equipment with some of the logic behind each task.

o Offers templates for developing your own tasking.

o Includes protocols for detailed economic analysis with examples. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Introduction
I am half-way through this book and realize that I have used Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) for years. This was the approach we used because of HAZOP studies. If you look at the methodology, they are the same. It is an excellent book for first-pass economics of preventive maintenance (PM). Through numerous examples, he shows when to PM, when you are spending too much for PM, and when to just run the damn thing 'til it breaks. As I said, it is a great introduction. I have picked up Doc Palmer's book and can see I would be lost without preparation.

If there are any short-comings, it is grammar and spelling. There are numerous typographical errors. Most engineers seem to have taken an-engineer's only english class in college. I found the errors troubling but the writing clear and concise.

A very good book for a refresher (as in my case), or an introduction.

Great Book
I am working as a Area Production Manager , as a responsible of Maintenance . I saw my mistakes after reading this great book . Everybody who inside the maintenance can find something useful. It is easly readable and implementable . Thanks ... Read more

Book Description

In 1999, the Project Management Institute (PMI®) conducted a role delineation study for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Examination. In addition to being used to establish the test specifications for the examination, the study describes the tasks (competencies) PMPs perform and the project management knowledge and skills PMPs use to complete each task. Each of the study’s tasks is linked to a performance domain (e.g., Planning the Project, etc.). Each task has three components to it: what the task is, why the task is performed, and how the task is completed. The Project Management Professional (PMP) Role Delineation Study is an excellent resource for educators, trainers, administrators, practitioners, and individuals interested in pursuing PMP certification. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good book with MS Project 2002 Trial Version
If you are learning MS Project, you need to get the newest version 2002. MS has been updating it almost weekly, difficult to keep up. The theoretical foundation of this book is sound. Chap. 8 Managing Project Risk is very useful. It can be used as a graduate level course, 30 - 36 hours. The book does not include examples of real world problem solving and it is short, only 317 pages. ... Read more

Book Description

Oliver Wight is one of the pioneers of Manufacture Resource Planning (MRPII). Here he introduces the essential concepts and benefits of MRPII in a practical format with easy-to-follow question-and-answer format. Among MRPII topics covered are: how MRPII can benefit a business, the executive's leadership role in implementation, the requirements of a successful MRPII implementation, guidelines for making MRPII effective in any organization, and managing MRPII for long-term competitive advantage. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Overview
I read this book AFTER reading MRPII: Making it Happen by Thomas F. Wallace, in an attempt to find something that would explain MRP II concepts to people I report to. It provided an easy to read, easy to understand overview of the benefits of MRP II, and helped to dispell many rumors (eg... the idea that MRP and Kanban are mutually exclusive).

I highly recommend this to anyone in a manufacturing environment who wants or needs to better understand the term MRP II. If after reading this you'd like more detail, Mr. Wallace's book (cited above) offers a solid method for implementation - from inception of the project to completion, including detailed examples, plans, and checklists. ... Read more

Book Description

In Accountabililty Leadership, Gerald Kraines presents a radical and revisionist point of view in support of hierarchy and accountability as tools to boost organizational productivity.

In his work consulting for major corporations throughout the country, Gerald Kraines consistently hears that 60% to 70% of any organization's potential effectiveness goes unrealized. If everyone in the organization were doing exactly what they were suppose to do and did so at full potential, imagine how much more effective companies could be!

Business leaders who employ the principles put forth in Accountability Leadership stand to multiply their chance of success and market leadership. Managers and their companies who have implemented this approach report such achievements as:

-Cross-functional team aligned, flexible, and adaptive--but also focused,disciplined, and accountable.

-Improved, free-flowing, and value-adding employee-manager communication.

-Accurate development of each employee's full potential. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Solid Read!
Author Gerald Kraines addresses a neglected area of management and lays out practical, important prescriptions for turning accountability into a linchpin of a thriving organization. Unfortunately, his solid counsel reads like an especially turgid graduate-level textbook. While all the ideas in this book are useful and many are extremely valuable, they're obscured by the heavy use of jargon (much of it self-defined, so the book often seems to be written in its own unique language). As a result, even though it is only some 220 pages, readers may give up, defeated by stretches of nearly impenetrable text. Kraines, who builds on the work of Elliott Jaques, tries to open doors with accessible case studies, but he soon lapses back into his specialized vocabulary. As a result, we believe the full text will interest mainly a very specific audience: business students and professors, theorists, consultants and high-level managers at large organizations may want to look up particular chapters for details and context. Even if you don't have the stamina for the whole tome, hang in there for the gems.

A Solid Effort!
Author Gerald Kraines addresses a neglected area of management and lays out practical, important prescriptions for turning accountability into a linchpin of a thriving organization. Unfortunately, his solid counsel reads like an especially turgid graduate-level textbook. While all the ideas in this book are useful and many are extremely valuable, they're obscured by the heavy use of jargon (much of it self-defined, so the book often seems to be written in its own unique language). As a result, even though it is only some 220 pages, readers may give up, defeated by stretches of nearly impenetrable text. Kraines, who builds on the work of Elliott Jaques, tries to open doors with accessible case studies, but he soon lapses back into his specialized vocabulary. As a result, we from getAbstract believe the full text will interest mainly a very specific audience: business students and professors, theorists, consultants and high-level managers at large organizations may want to look up particular chapters for details and context. Even if you don't have the stamina for the whole tome, hang in there for the gems.

If you are looking for a practical system
for managing your organization, you won't find it here.

Although the premise of the book seems attractive (abandoning "champions", self-directed teams, and other nebulous vehicles of managerial abdication), the author presents little more than another fad, that of "accountability chains" wherein the employee (the subordinate, in the newspeak of Dr Kraines) and the boss, and perhaps the bosses boss meet and agree on the "QQTR" (quality, quantity, time and resources) of everything, holding strictly to accountability, nothing more, nothing less with "no surprises" and the assumption that the entire chain will somehow hold together, weak links and all. Perfectly logical, perfectly inflexible and rather absurd, given the nature of business, economy, war, bankruptcy, layoffs and all of the other unpredictable events the company is likely to deal with.

Much of the book seems to be an ad for the Levinson Institute for which the author is CEO. I found particularly disheartening a large section dealing with the selection and cultivation of future leaders based on a sort of "corporate IQ concept" in which candidates' ability to handle role complexity is quantifiable by studying 10 year charts of their progression in the company. The author's idea is that leaders are identifiable by this trajectory and fall so neatly into it that human resources professionals can simply run the numbers (using software developed by the Levinson Institute, of course) to objectively select the future top managers.

The book is great for quips and throwaway lines, but startlingly weak on proven practical examples of the application of the accountability approach. The basic idea seems sound, but I suspect that if applied as the Doctor orders, the cure may be worse than the disease.

Accountability Leadership
Dr. Gerry Kraines of the Levinson Institute has captured in this book the concepts and examples that make his courses so useful for those faced with the challenge of leadership in today's corporations. Derived from the research and teachings of Eliot Jaques, Kraines' models of accoutability in a hierarchical management system are a compelling framework for understanding how to engage and align employees in order to drive superior performance and results. Filled with anecdotes and stories, the book provides the reader with key insights into successful development of individuals within a talent pool, and accountability within cross-functional performance improvement initiatives. Anyone who has a leadership responsibility within a corporation should read this, and if intrigued to learn more, attend one of the offerings of the Levinson Institute. ... Read more

Book Description

Achieve consistent, efficient productivity in your plant with the help of MRP: Integrating Material Requirements Planning and Modern Business by Terry Lunn with Susan A. Neff. You'll master the essentials of every step of the MRP methodology--from inventory planning and production scheduling to managing capacity requirements and integrating resources. Packed with charts, graphs, and specific examples, this sure-fire guide shows you how to solve scheduling dilemmas and fill orders on time and on budget. . .pinpoint key problem areas to prevent or reconcile errors and inconsistencies. . .and calculate the right quantities needed to support a desired schedule. It also helps you interpret records and reports in order to accurately manage inventory levels and materials requirements--and use MRP to integrate the various functions of your business unit. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A "must have" for every professional in P&IC
This book is for two types of people. First, if you are a novice in the field of production and inventory control, and you want to learn about your profession and how to become an expert, then this MRP text must be the the first book you read and keep in your library. It will continue to be a reference as your career progresses.

This book is also important to folks who consider themselves an expert in the field but who either want a great reference book to review the basics or may want a book to use as a basis for teaching others.

In either case, this book is one you will want to be handy. It covers all the basics of material planning and scheduling, inventory, and shop floor execution in a way that is easy for everyone to understand. This book is truly one that has alredy, and will continue to stand the test of time.

Excellent for the basics
This is an excellent book for both the beginner and the expert. It focuses on the absolute fundamentals of Material Requirements Planning that we, all too often, overlook. Keep this one on your shelf and use it to make sure that you are always in step with the fundamentals. While this is not one to describe the "leading edge" of materials management, you won't be able to get there without doing what this book describes. ... Read more

Book Description

Practical, proven techniques for managing today's smaller, more mission-critical projects

Managers who can bring projects in on time, under budget, and within specs are among the most valuable and marketable in today's project-driven environment. Just Enough Project Management-- written by globally renowned project management authority Curtis R. Cook--is a quick-hitting, no-nonsense pocket guide on how to successfully handle projects of any size, in any environment.

This versatile book's one-of-a-kind, customizable templates free managers from the time-consuming process of having to reinvent basic techniques and methods from one project to the next. Valuable for projects of every size, but especially helpful for today's newer breed of tighter, more focused projects, Just Enough Project Management will help project managers achieve:

• Greater bottom-line performance
• Dramatically improved team morale
• Long-term competitive advantage

Reviews (1)

A quick overview of project management
The book is a good, quick read about the hows 'n' whys of project management. I'd like to have seen a bit more about the pros 'n' cons of using project management software, but that's OK.

If you're looking for a book specifically about software project management, immediately start with Steve McConnell's "Software Project Survival Guide". ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Comprehensive view of manufacturing, concepts and techniques
Mahoney's book can be considered an excellent reference work forindividuals in the field of manufacturing literature. It containsinformation on almost every manufacturing concept or idea presented in thelast 50 years.

The author, R. Michael Mahoney's, years of experience andtraining as an engineer are evident throughout the work.The book iswritten in a straightforward style. Material is presented matter-of-factly.Many explanations are provided in the form of over a hundred charts,graphs, tables, Venn diagrams, and mathematical equations.

"High-Mix, Low-Volume Manufacturing" is not a casual read.Itis meant to be analyzed and studied in order to gain the insights describedwithin the text.Mahoney details concepts and ideas in order to help thereader understand the techniques and tools needed to successfully operatein a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing operation.The best approach tothe work is to read it in stages. This allows the reader to fully grasp andunderstand the topics discussed prior to reading to another section.Thework is well positioned as a reference book ... Read more

Book Description

Here's the quickest and most inexpensive way to learn about thepioneering work of Shigeo Shingo, co-creator (with Taiichi Ohno) ofJust-In-Time. It's an introductory book containing excerpts of five ofhis classic books as well as an excellent introduction by ProfessorRobinson. Learn about quick changeover, mistake-proofing (poka-yoke),non-stock production, and how to apply Shingo's "scientific thinkingmechanism." ... Read more