Rapid Problem Solving with Post-It Notes

Be frank I just read this book one time few years ago and never used the methods mentioned. One of the reasons is that I packed the book somewhere...But I assure all buyers that you will find the tools are simple and can be used quickly. There are no difficult mathematic (or should be very few computations are needed) but almost work as 'common sense' approach. Since post-it or similar products can be acquired almost in all offices, so you can try it out by yourself, or with your colleague (friends and family) almost immediately. I believe its power is that you can use the tools to communicate with others. After all, to solve a problem needs good thinking and also consensus. Buy and use it.

I'm a big fan of using rapid prototyping in a variety of ways - from everything from designing software products to building consensus in meetings and setting priorities. There was nothing new in this book that a smart person with the general idea wouldn't be able to come up with on their own. There is a lot of white space in the book and many rudimentary ideas are explained in painful detail. No case studies and really only one application (building consensus and prioritization in meetings). The contents of the book might be better contained in a five page pamphlet.

This is a great book to manage and organise big or little thoughts of yours onto Post-It notes. Then attempts to show you how to put this in some sense of order that helps you to get the job done. Wheither "that" is for study of a project or what is the next step in perhaps for the next family picnic that's coming up very soon.

Basically the book is divided into 3 parts. The first one talks about what is problem solving or how it works if you are not sure or familiar with this. Second part shows you the 4 basic styles offered using simple questions of why and how and when to use them and the very last section provides a good fictional example that helps the reader grasp or put "this" all that makes sense in action.

I like the examples provided at the end to resolve a frustrating or teething issues or problems that can be related to things I have found in my workplace.

While there are other detailed reviews, my general comments follow. Any one chapter is worth the price and the effort to read the book. It is immediately practical with a "Quick Tour" section for ready application. The ultimate power in Straker's approach is the synthesis of the discrete tools to potentiate their effect. Simple elegance providing both free-form and structure. A wonderful base to the much more expansive work by Straker, "How to Invent (Almost) Anyting."

Really great reference book for identifying and solving problems, planning and information mapping. Takes several management systems and combines them in a practical, time-effective method for working individually or in teams.