The Logical Thinking Process

H. William Dettmer

Description

A major rewrite of Dettmer's classic Goldratt's Theory of Constraints, this new edition presents a whole new approach to building and applying logic trees. The logical thinking process referred to in the title is nothing less than a broadly applicable, systems-level approach to policy analysis.
Dettmer has streamlined the process of constructing the logic trees while simultaneously ensuring that the results are more logically sound and closer representations of reality than ever before. He explains an easier, more logically sound way to integrate Current Reality Trees with Evaporating Clouds. His new version of the thinking process "retires" the Transition Tree in favor of the marriage of a more detailed Prerequisite Tree and critical chain project management.
This book contains new examples of logic trees from a variety of real-world applications. Most of the diagrams and illustrations are new and improved. Explanations and procedures for constructing the logic trees are considerably simplified.

Sujets

• Business
• Qualité, hygiène, sécurité, environnement
• Gestion et management
• Economics
• Leadership

Informations

• Publié par: ASQ Quality Press
• Date de parution: 24 mai 2007
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780873895880
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 8 Mo

Extrait

H1315-00 Front Matter:H1315 7/31/07 2:20 PM Page 1
“Proving that continuing to apply logic to the thinking process (yes, the principles dating back to
Aristotle that were adapted and advanced by Eliyahu M. Goldratt in our modern age) can improve it
substantially, H. William Dettmer’s new edition of his landmark book, Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints,
reflects the evolution of the thinking process to its current level: the Logical Thinking Process. Make
no mistake: the majority of heavy lifting to elevate the thinking process has been done by Dettmer
himself. Goldratt once told me that he did not write anything of depth about the thinking process
(TP). Instead, he left it to the few brave and uniquely qualified educators, of whom Dettmer has risen
to the forefront. This new edition teaches how leaders can face down real-life issues by employing the
rigorous deductive logic he’s honed to perfection by repeated application: how a better quality Current
Reality Tree (CRT) can be created in less time. New material includes a chapter on changing the status
quo. If there’s one Dettmer book to own ahead of all others, it is The Logical Thinking Process.”
Jeff “SKI” Kinsey, Jonah
Throughput Press
Hilton Head Island, SC
“Where would the logical approach to problem solving espoused by TOC proponents be without Bill
Dettmer? Is logical thinking so simple that a cave man might be able to do it? Is it common sense, that
we need not overthink it? I would argue neither. The Logical Thinking Process clearly demonstrates that
a thorough, logical approach can be used not only to identify complex problems and find potential
solutions, but also to generate buy-in among those individuals who must bring about improvement
in the organization as well as provide support for the process of planning and implementing effective
solutions. Bill’s dedication, experience, and motivation to develop the necessary tools for this
problemsolving approach have been invaluable to both practitioners and academicians. He goes about it in
such a thoughtful, unrelenting, and disciplined way that his work has effectively defined the field
of study.”
J. Wayne Patterson, Ph.D.
Professor of Operations Management
Clemson University
“After years of thinking, applying, re-thinking, and modifying, we have now Bill Dettmer’s most
recent update, documenting those years of experience with verbalizing intuition into clear logic and
applying it to business. This process facilitates clarification of thoughts, the challenge of hidden
assumptions, identification of real root causes, and rational prediction of what could happen in the
future. This is all based on logic and common sense; there is no ‘believe me— it works.’ All managers
who use this book will find themselves better prepared to think logically, without losing any of their
own intuition. Is there anything more important for managers to be doing? Read this book carefully—
it could be very important to you.”
Eli Schragenheim
Elyakim Management Systems, Ltd.
“Don’t buy this book if you believe that ‘gut feel’ is the perfect tool for leaders to use in deciding what
they should do and what their people should do. However, if you are looking for a box of logical
decision-making tools to use in setting goals, deciding how they should be achieved, and leading the
execution of your plan, then this book must be on the top of your desk daily. It is the reference for the
tools of constraint management—the leadership discipline that focuses on finding and resolving
system constraints.”
Dieter Legat, Ph.D.
Managing Director
Delta Institute
Geneva, Switzerland
“Dettmer has made an important contribution to competitive strategy by writing what is, as far as
I know, the first book to unify and demonstrate the power of both the Logical Thinking Process
developed by Goldratt and the OODA loop (observe-orient-decide-act). Operating together, they will
be very, very hard to beat.”
Chet Richards, Ph.D.
Author of Certain to Win and an international expert on the philosophy of John Boyd
“When I started reading The Logical Thinking Process, I couldn’t easily put it aside. There are a lot of new
insights in this book, even for those who are already familiar with previous books on the Theory of
Constraints. Bill does not simply tell the story of the logical thinking tools (as invented by someone
else). He creates his own story of the thinking tools. He introduces a new tool, the IntermediateH1315-00 Front Matter:H1315 7/31/07 2:20 PM Page 2
Objectives Map, which brilliantly dissolves many difficulties that people might have had with the
other tools. He merges the Prerequisite Tree and Transition Tree into a more useful Prerequisite Tree,
and he dissects the 3-UDE Cloud.
He is at his best with this book, and you will feel the experience of decades of consulting and teaching.
Working through the book is the next best thing to attending one of his thinking process classes in
person. Get the book, take your time to read through it, be patient, and reap the benefits from your
increased understanding and the streamlined method.”
Christoph Steindl, Ph.D.
Managing Director, Catalysts GmbH
Linz, Austria
“The Logical Thinking Process is the most comprehensive, easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to finding
real solutions to problems I face in business every day. Dettmer has created the definitive guide for
applying the Logical Thinking Process that Goldratt created. If you really want to find the key leverage
points to fundamentally improve your business, The Logical Thinking Process will give you the tools to
achieve your goal.”
Christopher M. Zephro
Director, Supply Chain
Seagate Technology
“I find Bill to be the world’s most articulate exponent of the thinking process tools of the Theory of
Constraints and very much enjoy the experience and knowledge he brings to his writing style. This
book manages to be precise without being pedantic, and entertaining without losing sight of the
seriousness of the topic. The book works both as a grand overview of a systems approach to complex
problem solving and as a practical chapter-by-chapter guide to the tools and techniques of rational
thinking. If you’re wondering how best to structure, test, and communicate your reasoning, then read
Bill’s book.”
David V. Hodes, Managing Director
TOC Center of Australia (TOCCA)
Sydney, Australia
“This is a complete guide for the Logical Thinking Process (TP). It embodies the latest thinking about
logical thinking. It covers all modes of TP application, from personal problem solving to strategic
development, and from corporate problem solving to legal applications of the thinking process. In
teaching this thinking process in Japan, I have personally witnessed phenomenal development of
students’ capabilities to solve problems and visualize the interactions of whole systems. This book is
Bill Dettmer’s gift for humanity.”
Haruyuki Uchiyama, President
MoreThroughput.com
Japan
“The topics that are a must-read are the Intermediate Objectives Map and Current Reality Tree. There
is a basic research in these areas that can be invaluable to the reader. The chapter on the Intermediate
Objectives Map provides an excellent guide for understanding undesirable effects and selecting them
effectively. This improves the quality of the Current Reality Tree significantly.”
Sadashiv S Pandit
Executive Chairman
Fleetguard Filters Private Limited
India
“The Logical Thinking Process is a practical guide to improving any system’s performance, from one of
the clearest authors in the field of the Theory of Constraints. It quickly gets to the heart of major
concepts and techniques, and updates prior readers of the literature with the latest developments.
Many standard tools for continuous improvement fail to achieve noteworthy results at a macro level.
Why? Because too often, the problems to which the tools are applied are local in nature. The tools, and
the problems to which they are applied, do not address the greatest constraints holding back the
system as a whole. In The Logical Thinking Process, leaders and improvement teams are given a concrete
method for creating the kind of major turnaround that today’s crises so often demand.
The Logical Thinking Process is a must-have tool in the arsenal of any continuous improveme nt effort.”
Paul H. Selden, Ph. D.
Founder and President, Performance Management, Inc.H1315-00 Front Matter:H1315 7/31/07 2:20 PM Page 3
The Logical
Thinking Process
A Systems Approach to
Complex Problem SolvingH1315-00 Front Matter:H1315 7/31/07 2:20 PM Page 4
Also available from ASQ Quality Press:
Breaking the Constraints to World-Class Performance
H. William Dettmer
Strategic Navigation: A Systems Approach to Business Strategy
H. William Dettmer
Enterprise Process Mapping: Integrating Systems for Compliance and Business Excellence
Charles G. Cobb
Root Cause Analysis: Simplified Tools and Techniques, Second Edition
Bjørn Andersen and Tom Fagerhaug
The Certified Quality Process Analyst Handbook
Eldon H. Christensen, Kathleen M. Coombes-Betz, and Marilyn S. Stein
Making Change Work: Practical Tools for Overcoming Human Resistance to Change
Brien Palmer
Business Process Improvement Toolbox, Second Edition
Bjørn Andersen
Business Performance through Lean Six Sigma: Linking the Knowledge Worker, the Twelve
Pillars, and Baldrige
James T. Schutta
The Process-Focused Organization: A Transition Strategy for Success
Robert A. Gardner
Inside Knowledge: Rediscovering the Source of Performance Improvement
David Fearon & Steven A. Cavaleri
Decision Process Quality Management
William D. Mawby
Defining and Analyzing a Business Process: A Six Sigma Pocket Guide
Jeffrey N. Lowenthal
Avoiding the Corporate Death Spiral: Recognizing and Eliminating the Signs of Decline
Gregg Stocker
To request a complimentary catalog of ASQ Quality Press publications, call
800-2481946, or visit our Web site at http://qualitypress.asq.org.H1315-00 Front Matter:H1315 7/31/07 2:20 PM P