Systems Thinking

The full title of this book by H William Dettmer is

“The Logical Thinking Process: A Systems Approach to Complex Problem Solving“.

In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I rate the book at the FIVE Stars level, this means that I consider it to be excellent.

Here is what I posted.

A clear explanation of TOC Thinking Processes

On the one hand, the Theory of Constraints Thinking Processes can be powerful tools for investigating the current situation and identifying vital ways to improve the system in ways to meet the goal. On the other hand, they can be daunting to prepare and/or to understand because of the acronyms, unusual terminology and complexity of both the diagrams and their underlying rules. [continue reading…]

In my review of

The Systems Thinking Approach to Strategic Planning and Management

by Stephen Haines posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book Three Stars. This means it is Worthwhile.

Here is my review.

Disappointing

I bought this book several years ago because I am fascinated by systems thinking that I first found in Peter Senge’s book “The Fifth Discipline“. I’ve had several goes at reading it and each time up to now, I’ve put it down because I’m bored. This is strange because I read a lot of books about strategic planning.

The style of writing is very dry and the author was keen to get some of his own terminology into use. This is something that frustrates me with strategy because everyone is keen to differentiate their own approach rather than building on accepted practice.

My biggest disappointed is that it seems to be a fairly standard approach to strategy dressed up with the very occasional reference to feedback. I expected much more about how the difference systems from single people all the way through to the wider environment interact and either reinforce or compensate for each other in the chain of cause and effect relationships.

I can’t recommend it but at the same time, the book isn’t terrible. It has useful ideas and frameworks which can be found with some diligence. It’s too much like hard work for anyone new to strategy and it doesn’t add enough of a new approach for someone who is well-schooled in the main strategy techniques and models.

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The full title of this book by A Gharakhani Baha is

System and Systems Thinking: Fundamental Theory and Practice

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book Two Stars.

Here is my review.

It’s not the easy to read explanation of systems thinking that I was looking for

I’m puzzled why the first reviewer liked this book so much.

I think it’s a tough read. The author likes very long sentences.

It may be OK for an academic and scientific audience but I was looking for a book to explain systems thinking to small business owners who are clients with a systems problem to solve. Unfortunately this isn’t it.

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The full title of this book by Paul Ledington is

Soft Systems Methodology – Core Concepts

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave it Two Stars.

Here is my review.

An attempt at explaining a complex but important technique

I believe that people should be taught how to think better.

When we encounter a problem, there are two possible ways to think about it: [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by David DeSchoolmeester is

Systems Thinking: A Blueprint For Success

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the it Two Stars.

Here is my review.

Not what I was expecting

I made the mistake of buying this without looking at the sample first. [continue reading…]