The Art of Problem Solving: Accompanied by Ackoff's Fables [Paperback]

Russell L. Ackoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 1987

"A witty, literate and, most of all, convincing reflection.[Ackoff] shines an often bright light into corners where problems hide, showing the manager how to understand the consequences of his own behavior; identify real, rather than supposed, elements of problems; perceive another's aims; determine what is controllable; and deal with other nettlesome factors." --Inc. The Art of Problem Solving Russ Ackoff--author, consultant, and teacher extraordinaire. During his long career, he has shown thousands of managers, architects, engineers, attorneys, advertising people, software developers, and scientists the way to more creative, artful problem solving. This new paper edition of The Art of Problem Solving is perhaps the best example of Ackoff in action. Step by step, this practical guide shows you how to develop an understanding of the art of creative thinking and the design of creative solutions. Using "Ackoff's Fables"--humorous yet eminently practical parables, based on real problems by real managers--you'll see why solving a problem seldom solves the problem, but why approaching it from a new, unorthodox angle often does. The result is vintage Ackoff--controversial, funny, and always on target. If you like to dig beyond simple solutions--to imaginative solutions that work--this book is for you.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Uses a unique perspective to overcome the deficiencies of a purely scientific approach to managerial decision making. Explores the creative art of problem solving, presenting material in a discursive style. Focus is on discussing a serious activity with some humor (with accompanying ``fables''--based on real problems faced by real managers--for illustration). Examines principal obstructions to creative problem solving and provides methods for their correction. Also includes, in the form of case studies, detailed examples of the major points and procedures.

About the Author

RUSSELL L. ACKOFF is the author of Management in Small Doses, Creating the Corporate Future, Redesigning the Future, and many other books. He recently founded INTERACT: The Institute for Interactive Management, a non-profit consulting company. Formerly, he taught at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 20, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471858080
• ISBN-13: 978-0471858089
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #685,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and useful, September 22, 2006

By 

Daniel Kamman "maker of industrial jewelry" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Problem Solving: Accompanied by Ackoff's Fables (Paperback)

A good balance of short, easily-digested messages and more in-depth studies that require careful attention.

The many short fables are described (on page 120) as making "the creative part of problem solving look either too easy or too mysterious. Creativity is not just a flashing insight. Such insights are nurtured in soil prepared by hard and time-consuming work". This is a lead-in to the remaining 80-odd pages of more-realistic detailed examples.

I bought this book while doing the hard work of successfully solving engineering problems at a major corporation. The book helped me to broaden my outlook. I weeded my problem-solving library when I left engineering. This was one of two such books I kept -- the other was Are Your Lights On? by Gause and Weinberg, ISBN: 0932633161. I wrote this review because I wanted people to know that I found Ackoff's book as useful as Are Your Lights On?