Rapid Problem Solving with Post-It Notes (Paperback)

by David Straker (Author) "Problems come in all shapes and sizes..." (more)
Key Phrases: swap sort, information chunks, adding arrows, Action Map, Information Map, Bottom-up Tree (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Problem Solved!

Uses your favorite top-drawer tool—the Post-it® Note. Great for individuals, great for groups—large or small.

Problems come in all shapes and sizes, yet most have common characteristics that can be addressed with the techniques found in this book. Rapid Problem-Solving with Post-it® Notes shows you how to use six types of techniques:

The Post-up—Provides methods for getting information into chunks
The Swap Sort—Shows listing and organization methods
The Top-down Tree—Works when the nature of the problem is unknown
The Information Map—Maps messy problems and complex relationships
The Action Map—Plans actions or maps an existing process
More than 70 diagrams and examples for solving everyday problems.

This refreshing book reminds us the simplest ideas are often the most effective.

Solve problems, create solutions and find answers fast—all with the help of Post-it® Notes. Tens of millions of Post-it® Notes users can now learn how to do far more with these great little tools. Post-it® Notes can be used to help solve difficult problems because they:

Are the right size to hold one piece of information from a problem Are easily to attached to flat surfaces and stay put Can be moved and reattached many times

About the Author
David Straker, MS, is a quality consultant with Hewlett Packard, UK, where he researches, writes, teaches and consults on business methods. His previous experience includes teaching, managing, engineering and marketing. This is his third book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (July 21, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555611427
• ISBN-13: 978-1555611422
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,733 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common tools used in uncommon ways, September 14, 2001

By	Linda Zarate "IT Ops Consultant" (Azusa, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

As an IT Consultant I am always looking for different methods to solve problems. I found this book to be simple but yet valuable.

When I first started reading this book it took me back to a book called "Visualizing Project Management" where the authors Forsberg, Mooz and Cotterman use the process of "Cards on the Wall" technique to encourage group thinking and visually determine dependencies.

This book introduces an effective way to solve problems with Post-it® Note. It starts off by showing simple key principles: (1) Chunking; capturing small information of data, (2) Problem Patterns, arranging and determining relationships, (3) Guiding decisions and keeping clear objectives, and (4) the *FOG* factor (Facts, Opinions, Guesses).

The core of the book provides 6 easy to use methods: (1) Post up, (2) Swap sort, (3) Top-down Tree, (4) Bottom-up Tree, (5) Information map and (6) Action Map. Note that "Information map" has nothing to do with Information Mapping®, which is both a registered trademark and different method owned by Information Mapping, Inc.

These methods are represented graphically with many examples to help you determine which method is best suited to find the solution for complex problems.

What I found most helpful in this book was the step-by-step procedures in every chapter. Every method has a clear definition of what it is and how and when it should be used. Grasping these methods will paint a clear picture towards the direction of a solution. I recommend this book to those that are looking for an effective, yet simple, way of solving problems.

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to systems thinking, December 11, 2001

By	Michael Tobis (Madison WI) - See all my reviews

This book is a real wonder.

In a very friendly way, and without resorting to any technology beyond sticky notes, it introduces several concepts of computer science and systems engineering.

It can be used as a brainstorming tool, but it can also be used by us programmers as a gift to the non-programmers in our lives. It can serve as an exposition of what it is we do all day when we aren't cursing irritating APIs and OS misfeatures. This is about the part of our jobs that we love and that we have so much trouble explaining.

I'm delighted it's still in print. I love oddball books in general, and this is a great example. It really delivers much more than it claims to.

Don't hesitate for a minute to buy this one.
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mt

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Constantly recommending this book to others, November 2, 2006

By	Michael Michalko (Churchville, New York USA) - See all my reviews

I'm the author of "Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative Thinking Techniques," and other books on creative thinking. As such, I read pretty much everything that's published that can be useful in facilitating creative thinking workshops and seminars. I find the ideas in this book fun,useful and extremely effective. I'm constantly recomending it to people looking for ways to become more creative in their personal and business lives.