The Heretic's Guide to Best Practices: The Reality of Managing Complex Problems in Organisations - Softcover

Paul Culmsee; Kailash Awati

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1462058531 ISBN 13: 9781462058532

Publisher: iUniverse, 2011

Synopsis

When it comes to solving complex problems, we often perform elaborate rituals in the guise of best practices that promise a world of order, certainty, and control. But reality paints a far different picture, which practitioners are often reluctant to discuss. In The Heretic's Guide to Best Practices, authors Paul Culmsee and Kailash Awati provide a plethora of practical techniques to help convert colleagues or managers who are firm believers in best practices. Through applicable anecdotes, references to pop culture, and examples from case studies, Culmsee and Awati offer practical advice that benefits everyone in the organisation-from frontline employees to senior executives. A witty yet rigorous journey through the seedy underbelly of organisational problem solving, The Heretic's Guide to Best Practices pinpoints the reasons why best practices don't work as advertised and what can be done about it. Learn why conventional wisdom is not always wise and discover how the pro

About this title

About the Author

Paul Culmsee earned a bachelor's degree in information science from Edith Cowan University. He is an IT professional, a facilitator, and a sense-maker who co-founded Seven Sigma Business Solutions. He and his wife have two children and live in Perth, Australia.

Kailash Awati manages information systems development at Boehringer-Ingelheim, Australia. He holds PhDs in physics and chemical engineering together with assorted certifications in project and data management. His professional interests include project/portfolio management, risk analysis, knowledge management and decision making in organisations. He lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.

From the Back Cover

When it comes to solving complex problems, we often perform elaborate rituals in the guise of best practices that promise a world of order, certainty, and control. But reality paints a far different picture, which practitioners are often reluctant to discuss. A witty yet rigorous journey through the seedy underbelly of organisational problem solving, The Heretic's Guide to Best Practices pinpoints the reasons why best practices don't work as advertised and what can be done about it.

"Hugely enjoyable, deeply reflective, and intensely practical. This book is about weaving human artistry and improvisation, with appropriate methods and technologies, in order to pool collective intelligence and wisdom under pressure." - Simon Buckingham Shum, Knowledge Media Institute, The Open University, UK

"This is a terrific piece of work: important, insightful, and very entertaining. Culmsee and Awati have produced a refreshing take on the problems that plague organisations... If you're trying deal with wicked problems in your organisation, then drop everything read this book." - Tim Van Gelder, Principal Consultant, Austhink Consulting

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1462058531
• ISBN 13: 9781462058532
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 420