Experience learning made easy - and quickly teach yourself how tomanage your projects with Project 2007. With Step By Step you setthe pace - building and practicing the skills you need just whenyou need them!

Excellent Introduction, 07 Dec 2008
Not having used Project for many years I bought this book as a refresher and have found it invaluable as a re-introduction and as a tutorial. Well laid out, easy reading building chapter by chapter. Also found it useful to dip in to as an aide memoire. Highly recommened.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Excellent Introduction, 07 Dec 2008
Not having used Project for many years I bought this book as a refresher and have found it invaluable as a re-introduction and as a tutorial. Well laid out, easy reading building chapter by chapter. Also found it useful to dip in to as an aide memoire. Highly recommened.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Useful analysis of the ongoing transformation of business, 25 Sep 2008
Unlike many books on new economies or global changes, this work cites examples from around the world. C. K. Prahalad and M. S. Krishnan provide illustrative case studies from firms in India, Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere. They examine the various interactions among these firms and locales, grounding their theoretical discussions in reality. To add even more clarity, they also include many drawings and charts; unfortunately, these tend to force a simplistic Cartesian graphing system onto complex changes. Likewise, their abbreviations are more memorable than clear. Overall, though, these are minor glitches in an innovative and useful study. The authors' analyses of how firms are interacting internationally, and redesigning themselves and the nature of business in the process, are both interesting and valuable. Its discussions of broad trends are unusually well-informed. getAbstract recommends this book to executives and others committed to keeping up with change, especially on a large, even global, scale.

Prahalad NEEDS Gary Hamel, 20 Jul 2008
Well, i bought this book with great expectations. However after reading it, i was very disappointed with it. Hardly any interesting insights and i was falling asleep reading this book. The absurd use of this phoney management formula really started to get on my nerves i.e. n=1 etc. Yawn yawn. I can see why Prahalad wrote with Gary Hamel- HE NEEDED Gary Hamel probably more than Gary Hamel needed Prahalad. This book is apauling so take my advice and DONT BUY IT

How to prosper in the "N = 1 and R = G" world, 02 May 2008

I have read and then reviewed all of C.K. Prahalad's previous books and thus was especially interested in reading this book, co-authored with M.S. Krishnan. As they explain in the Introduction, "We view innovation as shaping consumer expectations as well as responding continually to the changing demands, behaviors, and experiences pf consumers. We must do this by accessing the best talent and resources available anywhere in the world. These two ideas must be connected - the resources of many to satisfy the needs of one.. We suggest that this is possible only if we pay attention to the glue that enables ideas to be transformed into operations. We will focus on the business processes and analytics as the glue."

Prahalad and Krishnan acknowledge that there is a fundamental transformation now underway, worldwide, that will radically alter the very nature of an enterprise and how it creates value. This foundation of this transformation has two basic pillars:

1. "Value is based on unique, personalized experiences of consumers. [begin italics] The focus is on the centrality of the individual. [end italics] We will designate this pillar as N = 1 (one consumer at a time.)"

"2. No firm is big enough in scope and size to satisfy the experiences of one consumer at a time. [begin italics] The focus is on access to resources, not ownership of resources. [end italics] We will designate this [pillar as R = G (resources from multiple vendors and often from around the globe)."

There are several key elements of this transformation. Prahalad and Krishnan focus on five: Value is shifting from products to solutions to experience; all companies seek access to the talent, components, products, and services they need from the best sources; flexible systems are a prerequisite and must be developed; resources in a company's ecosystem must be continually configured; and finally, specific models must be developed that enable a company to focus on one consumer from among the millions. These are indeed formidable challenges. Prahalad and Krishnan suggest a number of strategies and tactics to consider when responding to them. When proceeding through the rigorously and eloquent narrative of this book, it is imperative to keep in mind that their ultimate objective is to help companies to prosper in this "N = 1 and R = G" world. To that end, they share the most important business lessons learned from a number of exemplary companies that include Amazon.com, Apple Computer, eBay, Google, ICIC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Unilever, and United Parcel Service (UPS).

To me, some of the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 5 (Pages 109-145) as Prahalad and Krishnan discuss the requirements of an information and communication technology (ICT) architecture and the governance mechanisms that can connect business processes and analytics to data and applications. In one of several graphics, Table 4.1 (Pages 124-126), they summarize the specificati9ons of the new ICT architecture in terms of four categories (i.e. "buckets"): Confronting Reality (e.g. capacity to link large systems and multiple databases), Compliance and Change (e.g. regulatory compliance and change), Evolving Capabilities (e.g. Security and privacy of data), and Enabling Foundations (e.g. from transaction-driven to event-driven systems).

Given the fundamental shift in the focus, the sources, and the processes of innovation and value creation, what do suggest for an agenda for managers to consider? They respond to that question in the final chapter. Specifically, they invoke a metaphor --- The New House of innovation - whose design and construction must be viewed as an "integrated package" in terms of its architecture, construction materials, and subsequent maintenance. The organizational transformation process must also be comprehensive and cohesive during a transition period (i.e. a "migration") of management practices to develop new skills, attitudes, and behaviors. It remains for decision-makers in each organization to design and then build its own new house pf innovation. Fortunately, they can use the information and counsel that C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan provide to guide and inform those initiatives.

Those who share my high regard for this brilliant volume are urged to check out Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World co-authored by Victor Fung, William Fung, and Yoram (Jerry) Wind as well as Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning co-authored by Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris. Also Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution co-authored by Jeanne Ross, Peter Weill and David Robertson and Dean Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success.

Excellent Introduction, 07 Dec 2008
Not having used Project for many years I bought this book as a refresher and have found it invaluable as a re-introduction and as a tutorial. Well laid out, easy reading building chapter by chapter. Also found it useful to dip in to as an aide memoire. Highly recommened.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Useful analysis of the ongoing transformation of business, 25 Sep 2008
Unlike many books on new economies or global changes, this work cites examples from around the world. C. K. Prahalad and M. S. Krishnan provide illustrative case studies from firms in India, Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere. They examine the various interactions among these firms and locales, grounding their theoretical discussions in reality. To add even more clarity, they also include many drawings and charts; unfortunately, these tend to force a simplistic Cartesian graphing system onto complex changes. Likewise, their abbreviations are more memorable than clear. Overall, though, these are minor glitches in an innovative and useful study. The authors' analyses of how firms are interacting internationally, and redesigning themselves and the nature of business in the process, are both interesting and valuable. Its discussions of broad trends are unusually well-informed. getAbstract recommends this book to executives and others committed to keeping up with change, especially on a large, even global, scale.

Prahalad NEEDS Gary Hamel, 20 Jul 2008
Well, i bought this book with great expectations. However after reading it, i was very disappointed with it. Hardly any interesting insights and i was falling asleep reading this book. The absurd use of this phoney management formula really started to get on my nerves i.e. n=1 etc. Yawn yawn. I can see why Prahalad wrote with Gary Hamel- HE NEEDED Gary Hamel probably more than Gary Hamel needed Prahalad. This book is apauling so take my advice and DONT BUY IT

How to prosper in the "N = 1 and R = G" world, 02 May 2008

I have read and then reviewed all of C.K. Prahalad's previous books and thus was especially interested in reading this book, co-authored with M.S. Krishnan. As they explain in the Introduction, "We view innovation as shaping consumer expectations as well as responding continually to the changing demands, behaviors, and experiences pf consumers. We must do this by accessing the best talent and resources available anywhere in the world. These two ideas must be connected - the resources of many to satisfy the needs of one.. We suggest that this is possible only if we pay attention to the glue that enables ideas to be transformed into operations. We will focus on the business processes and analytics as the glue."

Prahalad and Krishnan acknowledge that there is a fundamental transformation now underway, worldwide, that will radically alter the very nature of an enterprise and how it creates value. This foundation of this transformation has two basic pillars:

1. "Value is based on unique, personalized experiences of consumers. [begin italics] The focus is on the centrality of the individual. [end italics] We will designate this pillar as N = 1 (one consumer at a time.)"

"2. No firm is big enough in scope and size to satisfy the experiences of one consumer at a time. [begin italics] The focus is on access to resources, not ownership of resources. [end italics] We will designate this [pillar as R = G (resources from multiple vendors and often from around the globe)."

There are several key elements of this transformation. Prahalad and Krishnan focus on five: Value is shifting from products to solutions to experience; all companies seek access to the talent, components, products, and services they need from the best sources; flexible systems are a prerequisite and must be developed; resources in a company's ecosystem must be continually configured; and finally, specific models must be developed that enable a company to focus on one consumer from among the millions. These are indeed formidable challenges. Prahalad and Krishnan suggest a number of strategies and tactics to consider when responding to them. When proceeding through the rigorously and eloquent narrative of this book, it is imperative to keep in mind that their ultimate objective is to help companies to prosper in this "N = 1 and R = G" world. To that end, they share the most important business lessons learned from a number of exemplary companies that include Amazon.com, Apple Computer, eBay, Google, ICIC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Unilever, and United Parcel Service (UPS).

To me, some of the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 5 (Pages 109-145) as Prahalad and Krishnan discuss the requirements of an information and communication technology (ICT) architecture and the governance mechanisms that can connect business processes and analytics to data and applications. In one of several graphics, Table 4.1 (Pages 124-126), they summarize the specificati9ons of the new ICT architecture in terms of four categories (i.e. "buckets"): Confronting Reality (e.g. capacity to link large systems and multiple databases), Compliance and Change (e.g. regulatory compliance and change), Evolving Capabilities (e.g. Security and privacy of data), and Enabling Foundations (e.g. from transaction-driven to event-driven systems).

Given the fundamental shift in the focus, the sources, and the processes of innovation and value creation, what do suggest for an agenda for managers to consider? They respond to that question in the final chapter. Specifically, they invoke a metaphor --- The New House of innovation - whose design and construction must be viewed as an "integrated package" in terms of its architecture, construction materials, and subsequent maintenance. The organizational transformation process must also be comprehensive and cohesive during a transition period (i.e. a "migration") of management practices to develop new skills, attitudes, and behaviors. It remains for decision-makers in each organization to design and then build its own new house pf innovation. Fortunately, they can use the information and counsel that C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan provide to guide and inform those initiatives.

Those who share my high regard for this brilliant volume are urged to check out Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World co-authored by Victor Fung, William Fung, and Yoram (Jerry) Wind as well as Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning co-authored by Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris. Also Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution co-authored by Jeanne Ross, Peter Weill and David Robertson and Dean Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success.

Written by a master!, 12 Feb 2008
This book provides an excellent overview of how the Toyota Production System developed (and continues to develop), showing how the different tools and techniques are dependent on one another for success.

Throughout the book Ohno explains the thought processes that led to him to think the unthinkable, and experiment with ideas that are counter-intuitive for people trained in the world of mass production.

Highly recommended!



The Source of Lean Production but sadly disappointing, 01 Nov 2007
"Toyota Production System" was published in 1979 in Japanese and, in English in 1988. It is the source material on the toyota production system and, in my view, it is often good to go back to the source. Sadly, this book is disappointing. The writing style is clunky (perhaps a poor translation) and the book lacks structure; being more of a semi-random collection of points than a development of ideas. Nevertheless there is some interesting stuff in here. For example, I didn't realise that Mr Ohno ranked kanban (with quick changeovers) as the core of the system and essential to success. Often in lean kanban seems to be a bit of a side issue: here it is vital. Also there is an interesting analysis of some of Henry Ford's early writings compared to TPS. This would be good material for a student essay. However, for the philosophy of TPS you will get much more out of "The Toyota Way" or "The Toyota Way Fieldbook"; and for the tools of lean go to "Lean Production Simplified" or the many other books in this area. This book is a bit of a let-down I am sad to say.

Its the Starting point that counts, 12 May 2007
This is a must read for any serious Lean Thinker. A great insight into the formation of the Toyota production system with historical and social context.

Ohno expresses the simple ideas which became the starting point for the formation of the Toyota Production system, this book is not about Toyota today, which is the end point. (And still evolving)

There are many books struggling to articulate what the end point is all about, so go to the start to gain profound understanding...

The history of Toyota goes to show how doing simple things consistently by EVERYONE can create a great company.


Lean manufacturing from the master, 10 Jan 2005
I was still a student in a manufacturing course when i first read this book. I have to admit that i did not understand much back then. After a while a read a couple of other books such as "lean thinking" and "the machine that changed the world".
I decided to read Mr. Ohno's book once more. It was at this time i realised his grandeur and his geneus. These are the the ideas of the creator of lean manufacturing himself.
I typical japanese style every paragraph contains a small lesson that the lean practioner should know. This is a "must have" for all industrial engineers and industral managers. The book itself decribes the saven wastes, how they affect a manufacturing system, JIT principle, the Toyota "house of lean", kanban and a lot of other issue. Even if you know all these you must find out how Ohno himself perceived these issues. It is guaranteed to be a revelation!

Difficult material covered simply, 19 Feb 1998
This is a short book and as such gets to the point. Explains difficult concepts in a simple way. This book explains how JIT, Kanban, Zero Defects came about. Also shows what is missing from American JIT and that is production leveling.

This practical hands-on tutorial expertly builds your skills with Microsoft Project 2003#one step at a time! With STEP BY STEP you work at your own pace through easy-to-follow lessons and practice exercises to learn exactly the tools and techniques you ne

Excellent Introduction, 07 Dec 2008
Not having used Project for many years I bought this book as a refresher and have found it invaluable as a re-introduction and as a tutorial. Well laid out, easy reading building chapter by chapter. Also found it useful to dip in to as an aide memoire. Highly recommened.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Useful analysis of the ongoing transformation of business, 25 Sep 2008
Unlike many books on new economies or global changes, this work cites examples from around the world. C. K. Prahalad and M. S. Krishnan provide illustrative case studies from firms in India, Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere. They examine the various interactions among these firms and locales, grounding their theoretical discussions in reality. To add even more clarity, they also include many drawings and charts; unfortunately, these tend to force a simplistic Cartesian graphing system onto complex changes. Likewise, their abbreviations are more memorable than clear. Overall, though, these are minor glitches in an innovative and useful study. The authors' analyses of how firms are interacting internationally, and redesigning themselves and the nature of business in the process, are both interesting and valuable. Its discussions of broad trends are unusually well-informed. getAbstract recommends this book to executives and others committed to keeping up with change, especially on a large, even global, scale.

Prahalad NEEDS Gary Hamel, 20 Jul 2008
Well, i bought this book with great expectations. However after reading it, i was very disappointed with it. Hardly any interesting insights and i was falling asleep reading this book. The absurd use of this phoney management formula really started to get on my nerves i.e. n=1 etc. Yawn yawn. I can see why Prahalad wrote with Gary Hamel- HE NEEDED Gary Hamel probably more than Gary Hamel needed Prahalad. This book is apauling so take my advice and DONT BUY IT

How to prosper in the "N = 1 and R = G" world, 02 May 2008

I have read and then reviewed all of C.K. Prahalad's previous books and thus was especially interested in reading this book, co-authored with M.S. Krishnan. As they explain in the Introduction, "We view innovation as shaping consumer expectations as well as responding continually to the changing demands, behaviors, and experiences pf consumers. We must do this by accessing the best talent and resources available anywhere in the world. These two ideas must be connected - the resources of many to satisfy the needs of one.. We suggest that this is possible only if we pay attention to the glue that enables ideas to be transformed into operations. We will focus on the business processes and analytics as the glue."

Prahalad and Krishnan acknowledge that there is a fundamental transformation now underway, worldwide, that will radically alter the very nature of an enterprise and how it creates value. This foundation of this transformation has two basic pillars:

1. "Value is based on unique, personalized experiences of consumers. [begin italics] The focus is on the centrality of the individual. [end italics] We will designate this pillar as N = 1 (one consumer at a time.)"

"2. No firm is big enough in scope and size to satisfy the experiences of one consumer at a time. [begin italics] The focus is on access to resources, not ownership of resources. [end italics] We will designate this [pillar as R = G (resources from multiple vendors and often from around the globe)."

There are several key elements of this transformation. Prahalad and Krishnan focus on five: Value is shifting from products to solutions to experience; all companies seek access to the talent, components, products, and services they need from the best sources; flexible systems are a prerequisite and must be developed; resources in a company's ecosystem must be continually configured; and finally, specific models must be developed that enable a company to focus on one consumer from among the millions. These are indeed formidable challenges. Prahalad and Krishnan suggest a number of strategies and tactics to consider when responding to them. When proceeding through the rigorously and eloquent narrative of this book, it is imperative to keep in mind that their ultimate objective is to help companies to prosper in this "N = 1 and R = G" world. To that end, they share the most important business lessons learned from a number of exemplary companies that include Amazon.com, Apple Computer, eBay, Google, ICIC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Unilever, and United Parcel Service (UPS).

To me, some of the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 5 (Pages 109-145) as Prahalad and Krishnan discuss the requirements of an information and communication technology (ICT) architecture and the governance mechanisms that can connect business processes and analytics to data and applications. In one of several graphics, Table 4.1 (Pages 124-126), they summarize the specificati9ons of the new ICT architecture in terms of four categories (i.e. "buckets"): Confronting Reality (e.g. capacity to link large systems and multiple databases), Compliance and Change (e.g. regulatory compliance and change), Evolving Capabilities (e.g. Security and privacy of data), and Enabling Foundations (e.g. from transaction-driven to event-driven systems).

Given the fundamental shift in the focus, the sources, and the processes of innovation and value creation, what do suggest for an agenda for managers to consider? They respond to that question in the final chapter. Specifically, they invoke a metaphor --- The New House of innovation - whose design and construction must be viewed as an "integrated package" in terms of its architecture, construction materials, and subsequent maintenance. The organizational transformation process must also be comprehensive and cohesive during a transition period (i.e. a "migration") of management practices to develop new skills, attitudes, and behaviors. It remains for decision-makers in each organization to design and then build its own new house pf innovation. Fortunately, they can use the information and counsel that C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan provide to guide and inform those initiatives.

Those who share my high regard for this brilliant volume are urged to check out Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World co-authored by Victor Fung, William Fung, and Yoram (Jerry) Wind as well as Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning co-authored by Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris. Also Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution co-authored by Jeanne Ross, Peter Weill and David Robertson and Dean Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success.

Written by a master!, 12 Feb 2008
This book provides an excellent overview of how the Toyota Production System developed (and continues to develop), showing how the different tools and techniques are dependent on one another for success.

Throughout the book Ohno explains the thought processes that led to him to think the unthinkable, and experiment with ideas that are counter-intuitive for people trained in the world of mass production.

Highly recommended!



The Source of Lean Production but sadly disappointing, 01 Nov 2007
"Toyota Production System" was published in 1979 in Japanese and, in English in 1988. It is the source material on the toyota production system and, in my view, it is often good to go back to the source. Sadly, this book is disappointing. The writing style is clunky (perhaps a poor translation) and the book lacks structure; being more of a semi-random collection of points than a development of ideas. Nevertheless there is some interesting stuff in here. For example, I didn't realise that Mr Ohno ranked kanban (with quick changeovers) as the core of the system and essential to success. Often in lean kanban seems to be a bit of a side issue: here it is vital. Also there is an interesting analysis of some of Henry Ford's early writings compared to TPS. This would be good material for a student essay. However, for the philosophy of TPS you will get much more out of "The Toyota Way" or "The Toyota Way Fieldbook"; and for the tools of lean go to "Lean Production Simplified" or the many other books in this area. This book is a bit of a let-down I am sad to say.

Its the Starting point that counts, 12 May 2007
This is a must read for any serious Lean Thinker. A great insight into the formation of the Toyota production system with historical and social context.

Ohno expresses the simple ideas which became the starting point for the formation of the Toyota Production system, this book is not about Toyota today, which is the end point. (And still evolving)

There are many books struggling to articulate what the end point is all about, so go to the start to gain profound understanding...

The history of Toyota goes to show how doing simple things consistently by EVERYONE can create a great company.


Lean manufacturing from the master, 10 Jan 2005
I was still a student in a manufacturing course when i first read this book. I have to admit that i did not understand much back then. After a while a read a couple of other books such as "lean thinking" and "the machine that changed the world".
I decided to read Mr. Ohno's book once more. It was at this time i realised his grandeur and his geneus. These are the the ideas of the creator of lean manufacturing himself.
I typical japanese style every paragraph contains a small lesson that the lean practioner should know. This is a "must have" for all industrial engineers and industral managers. The book itself decribes the saven wastes, how they affect a manufacturing system, JIT principle, the Toyota "house of lean", kanban and a lot of other issue. Even if you know all these you must find out how Ohno himself perceived these issues. It is guaranteed to be a revelation!

Difficult material covered simply, 19 Feb 1998
This is a short book and as such gets to the point. Explains difficult concepts in a simple way. This book explains how JIT, Kanban, Zero Defects came about. Also shows what is missing from American JIT and that is production leveling.

Bite-sized basics, 14 Dec 2003
This book assumes no prior knowledge and is great for novice project users. It has small self contained lessons that guide the reader through creating, refining, pubishing and managing projects using Project 2003. It concentrated on the tool and unlike some books doesn't tell you how to manage your project which I think makes it quite well focussed.
However, if you have used project to manage even a few projects, 50% or more of this book is no good to you.
I have used Project for many years and bought the book to exploit some advanced features of this version and found myself more than a little disappointed.
There are some advanced techniques that are not in the book, which surprised me. The book concentrates a fair proportion to Project Server which I don't think is necessary for most.
Buy this book if you want excellent basic trainig at your own pace. Don't buy it if you want to learn advanced hints and tips.

Excellent Introduction, 07 Dec 2008
Not having used Project for many years I bought this book as a refresher and have found it invaluable as a re-introduction and as a tutorial. Well laid out, easy reading building chapter by chapter. Also found it useful to dip in to as an aide memoire. Highly recommened.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Useful analysis of the ongoing transformation of business, 25 Sep 2008
Unlike many books on new economies or global changes, this work cites examples from around the world. C. K. Prahalad and M. S. Krishnan provide illustrative case studies from firms in India, Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere. They examine the various interactions among these firms and locales, grounding their theoretical discussions in reality. To add even more clarity, they also include many drawings and charts; unfortunately, these tend to force a simplistic Cartesian graphing system onto complex changes. Likewise, their abbreviations are more memorable than clear. Overall, though, these are minor glitches in an innovative and useful study. The authors' analyses of how firms are interacting internationally, and redesigning themselves and the nature of business in the process, are both interesting and valuable. Its discussions of broad trends are unusually well-informed. getAbstract recommends this book to executives and others committed to keeping up with change, especially on a large, even global, scale.

Prahalad NEEDS Gary Hamel, 20 Jul 2008
Well, i bought this book with great expectations. However after reading it, i was very disappointed with it. Hardly any interesting insights and i was falling asleep reading this book. The absurd use of this phoney management formula really started to get on my nerves i.e. n=1 etc. Yawn yawn. I can see why Prahalad wrote with Gary Hamel- HE NEEDED Gary Hamel probably more than Gary Hamel needed Prahalad. This book is apauling so take my advice and DONT BUY IT

How to prosper in the "N = 1 and R = G" world, 02 May 2008

I have read and then reviewed all of C.K. Prahalad's previous books and thus was especially interested in reading this book, co-authored with M.S. Krishnan. As they explain in the Introduction, "We view innovation as shaping consumer expectations as well as responding continually to the changing demands, behaviors, and experiences pf consumers. We must do this by accessing the best talent and resources available anywhere in the world. These two ideas must be connected - the resources of many to satisfy the needs of one.. We suggest that this is possible only if we pay attention to the glue that enables ideas to be transformed into operations. We will focus on the business processes and analytics as the glue."

Prahalad and Krishnan acknowledge that there is a fundamental transformation now underway, worldwide, that will radically alter the very nature of an enterprise and how it creates value. This foundation of this transformation has two basic pillars:

1. "Value is based on unique, personalized experiences of consumers. [begin italics] The focus is on the centrality of the individual. [end italics] We will designate this pillar as N = 1 (one consumer at a time.)"

"2. No firm is big enough in scope and size to satisfy the experiences of one consumer at a time. [begin italics] The focus is on access to resources, not ownership of resources. [end italics] We will designate this [pillar as R = G (resources from multiple vendors and often from around the globe)."

There are several key elements of this transformation. Prahalad and Krishnan focus on five: Value is shifting from products to solutions to experience; all companies seek access to the talent, components, products, and services they need from the best sources; flexible systems are a prerequisite and must be developed; resources in a company's ecosystem must be continually configured; and finally, specific models must be developed that enable a company to focus on one consumer from among the millions. These are indeed formidable challenges. Prahalad and Krishnan suggest a number of strategies and tactics to consider when responding to them. When proceeding through the rigorously and eloquent narrative of this book, it is imperative to keep in mind that their ultimate objective is to help companies to prosper in this "N = 1 and R = G" world. To that end, they share the most important business lessons learned from a number of exemplary companies that include Amazon.com, Apple Computer, eBay, Google, ICIC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Unilever, and United Parcel Service (UPS).

To me, some of the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 5 (Pages 109-145) as Prahalad and Krishnan discuss the requirements of an information and communication technology (ICT) architecture and the governance mechanisms that can connect business processes and analytics to data and applications. In one of several graphics, Table 4.1 (Pages 124-126), they summarize the specificati9ons of the new ICT architecture in terms of four categories (i.e. "buckets"): Confronting Reality (e.g. capacity to link large systems and multiple databases), Compliance and Change (e.g. regulatory compliance and change), Evolving Capabilities (e.g. Security and privacy of data), and Enabling Foundations (e.g. from transaction-driven to event-driven systems).

Given the fundamental shift in the focus, the sources, and the processes of innovation and value creation, what do suggest for an agenda for managers to consider? They respond to that question in the final chapter. Specifically, they invoke a metaphor --- The New House of innovation - whose design and construction must be viewed as an "integrated package" in terms of its architecture, construction materials, and subsequent maintenance. The organizational transformation process must also be comprehensive and cohesive during a transition period (i.e. a "migration") of management practices to develop new skills, attitudes, and behaviors. It remains for decision-makers in each organization to design and then build its own new house pf innovation. Fortunately, they can use the information and counsel that C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan provide to guide and inform those initiatives.

Those who share my high regard for this brilliant volume are urged to check out Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World co-authored by Victor Fung, William Fung, and Yoram (Jerry) Wind as well as Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning co-authored by Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris. Also Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution co-authored by Jeanne Ross, Peter Weill and David Robertson and Dean Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success.

Written by a master!, 12 Feb 2008
This book provides an excellent overview of how the Toyota Production System developed (and continues to develop), showing how the different tools and techniques are dependent on one another for success.

Throughout the book Ohno explains the thought processes that led to him to think the unthinkable, and experiment with ideas that are counter-intuitive for people trained in the world of mass production.

Highly recommended!



The Source of Lean Production but sadly disappointing, 01 Nov 2007
"Toyota Production System" was published in 1979 in Japanese and, in English in 1988. It is the source material on the toyota production system and, in my view, it is often good to go back to the source. Sadly, this book is disappointing. The writing style is clunky (perhaps a poor translation) and the book lacks structure; being more of a semi-random collection of points than a development of ideas. Nevertheless there is some interesting stuff in here. For example, I didn't realise that Mr Ohno ranked kanban (with quick changeovers) as the core of the system and essential to success. Often in lean kanban seems to be a bit of a side issue: here it is vital. Also there is an interesting analysis of some of Henry Ford's early writings compared to TPS. This would be good material for a student essay. However, for the philosophy of TPS you will get much more out of "The Toyota Way" or "The Toyota Way Fieldbook"; and for the tools of lean go to "Lean Production Simplified" or the many other books in this area. This book is a bit of a let-down I am sad to say.

Its the Starting point that counts, 12 May 2007
This is a must read for any serious Lean Thinker. A great insight into the formation of the Toyota production system with historical and social context.

Ohno expresses the simple ideas which became the starting point for the formation of the Toyota Production system, this book is not about Toyota today, which is the end point. (And still evolving)

There are many books struggling to articulate what the end point is all about, so go to the start to gain profound understanding...

The history of Toyota goes to show how doing simple things consistently by EVERYONE can create a great company.


Lean manufacturing from the master, 10 Jan 2005
I was still a student in a manufacturing course when i first read this book. I have to admit that i did not understand much back then. After a while a read a couple of other books such as "lean thinking" and "the machine that changed the world".
I decided to read Mr. Ohno's book once more. It was at this time i realised his grandeur and his geneus. These are the the ideas of the creator of lean manufacturing himself.
I typical japanese style every paragraph contains a small lesson that the lean practioner should know. This is a "must have" for all industrial engineers and industral managers. The book itself decribes the saven wastes, how they affect a manufacturing system, JIT principle, the Toyota "house of lean", kanban and a lot of other issue. Even if you know all these you must find out how Ohno himself perceived these issues. It is guaranteed to be a revelation!

Difficult material covered simply, 19 Feb 1998
This is a short book and as such gets to the point. Explains difficult concepts in a simple way. This book explains how JIT, Kanban, Zero Defects came about. Also shows what is missing from American JIT and that is production leveling.

Bite-sized basics, 14 Dec 2003
This book assumes no prior knowledge and is great for novice project users. It has small self contained lessons that guide the reader through creating, refining, pubishing and managing projects using Project 2003. It concentrated on the tool and unlike some books doesn't tell you how to manage your project which I think makes it quite well focussed.
However, if you have used project to manage even a few projects, 50% or more of this book is no good to you.
I have used Project for many years and bought the book to exploit some advanced features of this version and found myself more than a little disappointed.
There are some advanced techniques that are not in the book, which surprised me. The book concentrates a fair proportion to Project Server which I don't think is necessary for most.
Buy this book if you want excellent basic trainig at your own pace. Don't buy it if you want to learn advanced hints and tips.

Avoid this book at all costs, 13 Aug 2008
Too many poor points to write them all here are the glaring ones;

Incomplete or wrong explanations.
No Internet Explorer chapter which is truly shocking.
50 Measureup questions that you get are too old to be of any value.
Two practive exams at the end of the book are exactly the same after question 32 onwards.

The worst of crime of all for me is this book messed up all the studying I have done beforehand. I read the Microsoft`s Self Paced training kit before this piece of junk and this book did nothing but confuse now I am having to reread the Microsoft Self paced book and refamiliarise myself with the proper stuff not the junk you get with this book.

You will find there is other 70-270 material on the web that is freeware and much better put together.

Buy this book for your exam preparations, 13 Jan 2007
I am really glad I bought this book for XP. I sat the exam and passed first time, maybe I was lucky but I found so much useful info inside, its worth much more money.

In the beginning, I saw several topics which I thought were unnecessary to read but presto! when I came across those same questions in the practice tests, I just had to go back to the book again and again and read them! Which made me appreciate the book even more. Its amazing how much info is packed into 400+ pages.

Everything is to-the-point, no messing around and beating round the bush. The way XP is described here, few books can match, IMO. It was obvious to me the authors have made a lot of effort to describe things as they have tips, alerts, easy explanations of many difficult concepts AND you get a mock exam CD!

Or maybe Im just carried away cos I passed?

However I must admit to also using another textbook (Sybex) which was slightly easier to read, but not in such great detail as this one.

So, I would certainly recommend it to any student of XP, but NOT AS A SOLE AID. Buy it and also use other recommended books and tests.


Not suitable for this exam on its own, 23 Aug 2006
I sat the 70-270 exam recently and passed but not with this book alone, it is only good to go over some of the facts it lacks all the facts needed to pass the exam, use in conjunction with video study aids such as nuggets or testout.

Decent study guide, 24 Apr 2006
I used this book to pass my exam, which i did comfortably. It has basically all you need to know, in regards to the exam, but abit of additional reading wouldn't go a miss. Pretty decent book and the author has structured the information in a digestible format. well worth the purchase, but you must put extra work\effort in yourself to pass. The other alternative is cheat by cramming your head with braindumps and passing the exam!! Depending on how serious your the choice is yours :=()'

A concise and lucid summary of most exam topics , 24 Apr 2006
This book should ideally be read after reading cover-to-cover a Microsoft Official Curriculum, Microsoft Press or Que/Sybex Study Guide. The clue is in the title - it is for cramming in everything you have previously learnt for this exam.

I made notes whilst reading through the book, which I recommend doing after first reading it cover-to-cover without making notes. It's worth cross-referencing with a study guide, the Microsoft Exam Preparation Guide and google searches as you go.

I found it covered some areas not in the MOC and vice-versa. The tear-out cram sheet for the exam hall is excellent.

Experience with XP and other MS products will help you make the most of the book, as well as practicing what is in the book.

I managed to score 921 on the exam doing all of the above. I am certain that I'd have done significantly worse without this book.

Good luck!

PROJECT 2007 INSIDE OUT

Dig into Project 2003#and discover how you can really put your project management skills to work! This supremely organized reference packs all the information you need to master every major tool task and enhancement in Project 2003#without the fluff. You#

Excellent Introduction, 07 Dec 2008
Not having used Project for many years I bought this book as a refresher and have found it invaluable as a re-introduction and as a tutorial. Well laid out, easy reading building chapter by chapter. Also found it useful to dip in to as an aide memoire. Highly recommened.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Useful analysis of the ongoing transformation of business, 25 Sep 2008
Unlike many books on new economies or global changes, this work cites examples from around the world. C. K. Prahalad and M. S. Krishnan provide illustrative case studies from firms in India, Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere. They examine the various interactions among these firms and locales, grounding their theoretical discussions in reality. To add even more clarity, they also include many drawings and charts; unfortunately, these tend to force a simplistic Cartesian graphing system onto complex changes. Likewise, their abbreviations are more memorable than clear. Overall, though, these are minor glitches in an innovative and useful study. The authors' analyses of how firms are interacting internationally, and redesigning themselves and the nature of business in the process, are both interesting and valuable. Its discussions of broad trends are unusually well-informed. getAbstract recommends this book to executives and others committed to keeping up with change, especially on a large, even global, scale.

Prahalad NEEDS Gary Hamel, 20 Jul 2008
Well, i bought this book with great expectations. However after reading it, i was very disappointed with it. Hardly any interesting insights and i was falling asleep reading this book. The absurd use of this phoney management formula really started to get on my nerves i.e. n=1 etc. Yawn yawn. I can see why Prahalad wrote with Gary Hamel- HE NEEDED Gary Hamel probably more than Gary Hamel needed Prahalad. This book is apauling so take my advice and DONT BUY IT

How to prosper in the "N = 1 and R = G" world, 02 May 2008

I have read and then reviewed all of C.K. Prahalad's previous books and thus was especially interested in reading this book, co-authored with M.S. Krishnan. As they explain in the Introduction, "We view innovation as shaping consumer expectations as well as responding continually to the changing demands, behaviors, and experiences pf consumers. We must do this by accessing the best talent and resources available anywhere in the world. These two ideas must be connected - the resources of many to satisfy the needs of one.. We suggest that this is possible only if we pay attention to the glue that enables ideas to be transformed into operations. We will focus on the business processes and analytics as the glue."

Prahalad and Krishnan acknowledge that there is a fundamental transformation now underway, worldwide, that will radically alter the very nature of an enterprise and how it creates value. This foundation of this transformation has two basic pillars:

1. "Value is based on unique, personalized experiences of consumers. [begin italics] The focus is on the centrality of the individual. [end italics] We will designate this pillar as N = 1 (one consumer at a time.)"

"2. No firm is big enough in scope and size to satisfy the experiences of one consumer at a time. [begin italics] The focus is on access to resources, not ownership of resources. [end italics] We will designate this [pillar as R = G (resources from multiple vendors and often from around the globe)."

There are several key elements of this transformation. Prahalad and Krishnan focus on five: Value is shifting from products to solutions to experience; all companies seek access to the talent, components, products, and services they need from the best sources; flexible systems are a prerequisite and must be developed; resources in a company's ecosystem must be continually configured; and finally, specific models must be developed that enable a company to focus on one consumer from among the millions. These are indeed formidable challenges. Prahalad and Krishnan suggest a number of strategies and tactics to consider when responding to them. When proceeding through the rigorously and eloquent narrative of this book, it is imperative to keep in mind that their ultimate objective is to help companies to prosper in this "N = 1 and R = G" world. To that end, they share the most important business lessons learned from a number of exemplary companies that include Amazon.com, Apple Computer, eBay, Google, ICIC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Unilever, and United Parcel Service (UPS).

To me, some of the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 5 (Pages 109-145) as Prahalad and Krishnan discuss the requirements of an information and communication technology (ICT) architecture and the governance mechanisms that can connect business processes and analytics to data and applications. In one of several graphics, Table 4.1 (Pages 124-126), they summarize the specificati9ons of the new ICT architecture in terms of four categories (i.e. "buckets"): Confronting Reality (e.g. capacity to link large systems and multiple databases), Compliance and Change (e.g. regulatory compliance and change), Evolving Capabilities (e.g. Security and privacy of data), and Enabling Foundations (e.g. from transaction-driven to event-driven systems).

Given the fundamental shift in the focus, the sources, and the processes of innovation and value creation, what do suggest for an agenda for managers to consider? They respond to that question in the final chapter. Specifically, they invoke a metaphor --- The New House of innovation - whose design and construction must be viewed as an "integrated package" in terms of its architecture, construction materials, and subsequent maintenance. The organizational transformation process must also be comprehensive and cohesive during a transition period (i.e. a "migration") of management practices to develop new skills, attitudes, and behaviors. It remains for decision-makers in each organization to design and then build its own new house pf innovation. Fortunately, they can use the information and counsel that C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan provide to guide and inform those initiatives.

Those who share my high regard for this brilliant volume are urged to check out Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World co-authored by Victor Fung, William Fung, and Yoram (Jerry) Wind as well as Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning co-authored by Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris. Also Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution co-authored by Jeanne Ross, Peter Weill and David Robertson and Dean Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success.

Written by a master!, 12 Feb 2008
This book provides an excellent overview of how the Toyota Production System developed (and continues to develop), showing how the different tools and techniques are dependent on one another for success.

Throughout the book Ohno explains the thought processes that led to him to think the unthinkable, and experiment with ideas that are counter-intuitive for people trained in the world of mass production.

Highly recommended!



The Source of Lean Production but sadly disappointing, 01 Nov 2007
"Toyota Production System" was published in 1979 in Japanese and, in English in 1988. It is the source material on the toyota production system and, in my view, it is often good to go back to the source. Sadly, this book is disappointing. The writing style is clunky (perhaps a poor translation) and the book lacks structure; being more of a semi-random collection of points than a development of ideas. Nevertheless there is some interesting stuff in here. For example, I didn't realise that Mr Ohno ranked kanban (with quick changeovers) as the core of the system and essential to success. Often in lean kanban seems to be a bit of a side issue: here it is vital. Also there is an interesting analysis of some of Henry Ford's early writings compared to TPS. This would be good material for a student essay. However, for the philosophy of TPS you will get much more out of "The Toyota Way" or "The Toyota Way Fieldbook"; and for the tools of lean go to "Lean Production Simplified" or the many other books in this area. This book is a bit of a let-down I am sad to say.

Its the Starting point that counts, 12 May 2007
This is a must read for any serious Lean Thinker. A great insight into the formation of the Toyota production system with historical and social context.

Ohno expresses the simple ideas which became the starting point for the formation of the Toyota Production system, this book is not about Toyota today, which is the end point. (And still evolving)

There are many books struggling to articulate what the end point is all about, so go to the start to gain profound understanding...

The history of Toyota goes to show how doing simple things consistently by EVERYONE can create a great company.


Lean manufacturing from the master, 10 Jan 2005
I was still a student in a manufacturing course when i first read this book. I have to admit that i did not understand much back then. After a while a read a couple of other books such as "lean thinking" and "the machine that changed the world".
I decided to read Mr. Ohno's book once more. It was at this time i realised his grandeur and his geneus. These are the the ideas of the creator of lean manufacturing himself.
I typical japanese style every paragraph contains a small lesson that the lean practioner should know. This is a "must have" for all industrial engineers and industral managers. The book itself decribes the saven wastes, how they affect a manufacturing system, JIT principle, the Toyota "house of lean", kanban and a lot of other issue. Even if you know all these you must find out how Ohno himself perceived these issues. It is guaranteed to be a revelation!

Difficult material covered simply, 19 Feb 1998
This is a short book and as such gets to the point. Explains difficult concepts in a simple way. This book explains how JIT, Kanban, Zero Defects came about. Also shows what is missing from American JIT and that is production leveling.

Bite-sized basics, 14 Dec 2003
This book assumes no prior knowledge and is great for novice project users. It has small self contained lessons that guide the reader through creating, refining, pubishing and managing projects using Project 2003. It concentrated on the tool and unlike some books doesn't tell you how to manage your project which I think makes it quite well focussed.
However, if you have used project to manage even a few projects, 50% or more of this book is no good to you.
I have used Project for many years and bought the book to exploit some advanced features of this version and found myself more than a little disappointed.
There are some advanced techniques that are not in the book, which surprised me. The book concentrates a fair proportion to Project Server which I don't think is necessary for most.
Buy this book if you want excellent basic trainig at your own pace. Don't buy it if you want to learn advanced hints and tips.

Avoid this book at all costs, 13 Aug 2008
Too many poor points to write them all here are the glaring ones;

Incomplete or wrong explanations.
No Internet Explorer chapter which is truly shocking.
50 Measureup questions that you get are too old to be of any value.
Two practive exams at the end of the book are exactly the same after question 32 onwards.

The worst of crime of all for me is this book messed up all the studying I have done beforehand. I read the Microsoft`s Self Paced training kit before this piece of junk and this book did nothing but confuse now I am having to reread the Microsoft Self paced book and refamiliarise myself with the proper stuff not the junk you get with this book.

You will find there is other 70-270 material on the web that is freeware and much better put together.

Buy this book for your exam preparations, 13 Jan 2007
I am really glad I bought this book for XP. I sat the exam and passed first time, maybe I was lucky but I found so much useful info inside, its worth much more money.

In the beginning, I saw several topics which I thought were unnecessary to read but presto! when I came across those same questions in the practice tests, I just had to go back to the book again and again and read them! Which made me appreciate the book even more. Its amazing how much info is packed into 400+ pages.

Everything is to-the-point, no messing around and beating round the bush. The way XP is described here, few books can match, IMO. It was obvious to me the authors have made a lot of effort to describe things as they have tips, alerts, easy explanations of many difficult concepts AND you get a mock exam CD!

Or maybe Im just carried away cos I passed?

However I must admit to also using another textbook (Sybex) which was slightly easier to read, but not in such great detail as this one.

So, I would certainly recommend it to any student of XP, but NOT AS A SOLE AID. Buy it and also use other recommended books and tests.


Not suitable for this exam on its own, 23 Aug 2006
I sat the 70-270 exam recently and passed but not with this book alone, it is only good to go over some of the facts it lacks all the facts needed to pass the exam, use in conjunction with video study aids such as nuggets or testout.

Decent study guide, 24 Apr 2006
I used this book to pass my exam, which i did comfortably. It has basically all you need to know, in regards to the exam, but abit of additional reading wouldn't go a miss. Pretty decent book and the author has structured the information in a digestible format. well worth the purchase, but you must put extra work\effort in yourself to pass. The other alternative is cheat by cramming your head with braindumps and passing the exam!! Depending on how serious your the choice is yours :=()'

A concise and lucid summary of most exam topics , 24 Apr 2006
This book should ideally be read after reading cover-to-cover a Microsoft Official Curriculum, Microsoft Press or Que/Sybex Study Guide. The clue is in the title - it is for cramming in everything you have previously learnt for this exam.

I made notes whilst reading through the book, which I recommend doing after first reading it cover-to-cover without making notes. It's worth cross-referencing with a study guide, the Microsoft Exam Preparation Guide and google searches as you go.

I found it covered some areas not in the MOC and vice-versa. The tear-out cram sheet for the exam hall is excellent.

Experience with XP and other MS products will help you make the most of the book, as well as practicing what is in the book.

I managed to score 921 on the exam doing all of the above. I am certain that I'd have done significantly worse without this book.

Good luck!

Beware Non-XP Users!, 20 Nov 2005
I would have given this a better rating, as the book seems to be very good. Unfortunately the evaluation version of Project included on the CD will only work with Windows XP (or later) or Windows 2000 SP3 (or later). My little laptop hasn't got what it takes to upgrade my operating system so it wouldn't let me install the software. Pity it doesn't tell you about that here, before you spend money on something. I feel cheated. C'mon Amazon - get your product descriptions right and send me a gift voucher or something as compensation!

It tells you this when you get the book and, if you don't break the seal on the CD you can simply return it but, in my case, I work somewhere where it's impractical to return stuff. I managed to get hold of Project 2000 and, with what I already knew about Project, I've found the built-in tutorial to be just dandy!

A good book for both experienced and novice project users, 10 Aug 2005
This is a well written book that gives a good insight into how to use Microsoft Project 2003. It covers both Microsoft Project 2003 Standard and Microsoft 2003 Enterprise (Server). The writing style is easy to read, not too wordy and there are lots of useful diagrams and screenshots that illustrate the narrative.
It comes with a CD that contains useful example project files and an evaluation copy of Project. It also contains an electronic version of the book (very useful if, like me, you have the book at home and want a version at work to refer to) and an electronic version of the Microsoft Computer Dictionary (5th Edition).
Overall, good book and I'd recommend it to anyone stuggling to get a grip of Project 2003.

Excellent Introduction, 07 Dec 2008
Not having used Project for many years I bought this book as a refresher and have found it invaluable as a re-introduction and as a tutorial. Well laid out, easy reading building chapter by chapter. Also found it useful to dip in to as an aide memoire. Highly recommened.

Very Useful Instruction, 27 May 2008
As the title suggests, the book is a step by step guide to Office Project 2007. It walks you through all of the different aspects of Project that a new or intermediate user could be expected to know or benefit from. It also provides a number of "tips" where a more advanced or enquiring user may want to find further information. The layout and structure of the book is very good, which could reasonably be expected, with "Chapters at a Glance", "Summaries of topics covered", "Key points" and very clear formatting to help the reader/user.

As a previous user of an older version of Project, I bought the book as both a refresher to Project and an introduction to the new 07 version. It has certainly delivered on both these counts. However, I would imagine that if I need to develop a more detailed level of knowledge about the software I would probably end up buying a supplemental book as well.

I will be using Project professionally and will need to share my project plans with other stakeholders, in light of this I found the following chapters particularly useful:
*Organising and Formatting Project Details
*Printing Project Information
*Sharing Project Information with Other Programs


Top drawer, 06 Jun 2007
Exceptionally well-written book which almost falls over itself to be helpful, with the Chapter At A Glance page at the start of each chapter and the Quick Reference pages at the beginning.

I've got three other books on Project 2007 and this is easily the most readable and enjoyable. It keeps you interested with the well-worked examples on disc for you to follow along with and imparts a very good depth and breadth of information.

I was uncomfortable with Project before reading this book and tried a lot of tinkering with the software in an attempt to ease my uncertainties. This book takes a lot of the donkey-work out of that process by giving solid exercises to guide you each step of the way.

It gets you up and running in no time and leaves you keen to explore even deeper. The last 50 pages introduce Server but the main thrust is with the desktop application; perfect for my working requirements.

One of the few books which takes the frustration out of the learning process - no hesitation in giving it a maximum 5 out of 5.

Useful analysis of the ongoing transformation of business, 25 Sep 2008
Unlike many books on new economies or global changes, this work cites examples from around the world. C. K. Prahalad and M. S. Krishnan provide illustrative case studies from firms in India, Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere. They examine the various interactions among these firms and locales, grounding their theoretical discussions in reality. To add even more clarity, they also include many drawings and charts; unfortunately, these tend to force a simplistic Cartesian graphing system onto complex changes. Likewise, their abbreviations are more memorable than clear. Overall, though, these are minor glitches in an innovative and useful study. The authors' analyses of how firms are interacting internationally, and redesigning themselves and the nature of business in the process, are both interesting and valuable. Its discussions of broad trends are unusually well-informed. getAbstract recommends this book to executives and others committed to keeping up with change, especially on a large, even global, scale.

Prahalad NEEDS Gary Hamel, 20 Jul 2008
Well, i bought this book with great expectations. However after reading it, i was very disappointed with it. Hardly any interesting insights and i was falling asleep reading this book. The absurd use of this phoney management formula really started to get on my nerves i.e. n=1 etc. Yawn yawn. I can see why Prahalad wrote with Gary Hamel- HE NEEDED Gary Hamel probably more than Gary Hamel needed Prahalad. This book is apauling so take my advice and DONT BUY IT

How to prosper in the "N = 1 and R = G" world, 02 May 2008

I have read and then reviewed all of C.K. Prahalad's previous books and thus was especially interested in reading this book, co-authored with M.S. Krishnan. As they explain in the Introduction, "We view innovation as shaping consumer expectations as well as responding continually to the changing demands, behaviors, and experiences pf consumers. We must do this by accessing the best talent and resources available anywhere in the world. These two ideas must be connected - the resources of many to satisfy the needs of one.. We suggest that this is possible only if we pay attention to the glue that enables ideas to be transformed into operations. We will focus on the business processes and analytics as the glue."

Prahalad and Krishnan acknowledge that there is a fundamental transformation now underway, worldwide, that will radically alter the very nature of an enterprise and how it creates value. This foundation of this transformation has two basic pillars:

1. "Value is based on unique, personalized experiences of consumers. [begin italics] The focus is on the centrality of the individual. [end italics] We will designate this pillar as N = 1 (one consumer at a time.)"

"2. No firm is big enough in scope and size to satisfy the experiences of one consumer at a time. [begin italics] The focus is on access to resources, not ownership of resources. [end italics] We will designate this [pillar as R = G (resources from multiple vendors and often from around the globe)."

There are several key elements of this transformation. Prahalad and Krishnan focus on five: Value is shifting from products to solutions to experience; all companies seek access to the talent, components, products, and services they need from the best sources; flexible systems are a prerequisite and must be developed; resources in a company's ecosystem must be continually configured; and finally, specific models must be developed that enable a company to focus on one consumer from among the millions. These are indeed formidable challenges. Prahalad and Krishnan suggest a number of strategies and tactics to consider when responding to them. When proceeding through the rigorously and eloquent narrative of this book, it is imperative to keep in mind that their ultimate objective is to help companies to prosper in this "N = 1 and R = G" world. To that end, they share the most important business lessons learned from a number of exemplary companies that include Amazon.com, Apple Computer, eBay, Google, ICIC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Unilever, and United Parcel Service (UPS).

To me, some of the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 5 (Pages 109-145) as Prahalad and Krishnan discuss the requirements of an information and communication technology (ICT) architecture and the governance mechanisms that can connect business processes and analytics to data and applications. In one of several graphics, Table 4.1 (Pages 124-126), they summarize the specificati9ons of the new ICT architecture in terms of four categories (i.e. "buckets"): Confronting Reality (e.g. capacity to link large systems and multiple databases), Compliance and Change (e.g. regulatory compliance and change), Evolving Capabilities (e.g. Security and privacy of data), and Enabling Foundations (e.g. from transaction-driven to event-driven systems).

Given the fundamental shift in the focus, the sources, and the processes of innovation and value creation, what do suggest for an agenda for managers to consider? They respond to that question in the final chapter. Specifically, they invoke a metaphor --- The New House of innovation - whose design and construction must be viewed as an "integrated package" in terms of its architecture, construction materials, and subsequent maintenance. The organizational transformation process must also be comprehensive and cohesive during a transition period (i.e. a "migration") of management practices to develop new skills, attitudes, and behaviors. It remains for decision-makers in each organization to design and then build its own new house pf innovation. Fortunately, they can use the information and counsel that C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan provide to guide and inform those initiatives.

Those who share my high regard for this brilliant volume are urged to check out Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World co-authored by Victor Fung, William Fung, and Yoram (Jerry) Wind as well as Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning co-authored by Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris. Also Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution co-authored by Jeanne Ross, Peter Weill and David Robertson and Dean Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success.

Written by a master!, 12 Feb 2008
This book provides an excellent overview of how the Toyota Production System developed (and continues to develop), showing how the different tools and techniques are dependent on one another for success.

Throughout the book Ohno explains the thought processes that led to him to think the unthinkable, and experiment with ideas that are counter-intuitive for people trained in the world of mass production.

Highly recommended!



The Source of Lean Production but sadly disappointing, 01 Nov 2007
"Toyota Production System" was published in 1979 in Japanese and, in English in 1988. It is the source material on the toyota production system and, in my view, it is often good to go back to the source. Sadly, this book is disappointing. The writing style is clunky (perhaps a poor translation) and the book lacks structure; being more of a semi-random collection of points than a development of ideas. Nevertheless there is some interesting stuff in here. For example, I didn't realise that Mr Ohno ranked kanban (with quick changeovers) as the core of the system and essential to success. Often in lean kanban seems to be a bit of a side issue: here it is vital. Also there is an interesting analysis of some of Henry Ford's early writings compared to TPS. This would be good material for a student essay. However, for the philosophy of TPS you will get much more out of "The Toyota Way" or "The Toyota Way Fieldbook"; and for the tools of lean go to "Lean Production Simplified" or the many other books in this area. This book is a bit of a let-down I am sad to say.

Its the Starting point that counts, 12 May 2007
This is a must read for any serious Lean Thinker. A great insight into the formation of the Toyota production system with historical and social context.

Ohno expresses the simple ideas which became the starting point for the formation of the Toyota Production system, this book is not about Toyota today, which is the end point. (And still evolving)

There are many books struggling to articulate what the end point is all about, so go to the start to gain profound understanding...

The history of Toyota goes to show how doing simple things consistently by EVERYONE can create a great company.


Lean manufacturing from the master, 10 Jan 2005
I was still a student in a manufacturing course when i first read this book. I have to admit that i did not understand much back then. After a while a read a couple of other books such as "lean thinking" and "the machine that changed the world".
I decided to read Mr. Ohno's book once more. It was at this time i realised his