Visible Thinking: Unlocking Causal Mapping for Practical Business Results [Paperback]

John M. Bryson (Author), Fran Ackermann (Author), Colin Eden (Author), Charles B. Finn (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470869151 | ISBN-13: 978-0470869154 | Publication Date: August 23, 2004 | Edition: 1

Causal mapping is a tool that enables you to make sense of challenging situations so that you can get more out of them. A causal map is a word and arrow diagram in which ideas and actions are causally linked with one another through the use of arrows. Typically, only specialists such as physical or social scientists and operations researchers know about causal mapping and the tool is therefore not widely known or its broad applicability understood. Until now there has been no guidance available on how to make use of the tool for more general purposes. This book lets managers understand the theory and practice of causal mapping in layman's terms for use in both individual and group settings. It shows managers how to develop and use action-oriented strategy maps and logic models in business decision making. The authors show how causal mapping can be used as a tool to make sense of challenging situations and develop effective business responses.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

We live in a complex world. We are constantly challenged by issues that seem at first to be simple, but on reflection turn out to have complicated causes and consequences that can dramatically affect our lives. Often, getting a handle on what the issues are is half the battle. Imagine a tool that can help you unravel the complexity of the decision-making labyrinth, a process that would allow you to:

• Make sense of challenging situations
• Tackle a large number of ideas and their interconnections
• Evaluate and explore values, goals, strategies and actions
• Link strategic thinking to action
• Develop effective action plans in response to the issues
• Create shared meaning and agreement
• Communicate strategies in ways that can be easily understood and acted upon
• Make people understand why an action is important and how they can help
• Help you move from 'winging it' to creating integrated strategies that are robust, both today and in the future, for your firm

Causal mapping is that process. A causal map links your ideas using a few simple rules to reflect causality and so reveal strategic options and goals. Visible Thinking shows you how to create causal maps for individuals and groups, and thereby to capture the power and broad applicability of causal mapping in a business, as well as a personal, context. Visible Thinking will revolutionize the way you approach complex situations and help you decide what you should do, how you should do it and why.

The causal mapping process is illustrated through a series of real cases - from tackling personal problems to strategy-change efforts in business, public and not-for-profit organizations. The cases are used to present a comprehensive set of process guidelines designed to help you create your own action-oriented causal maps.

'Mapping has worked very well in enabling us get to grips with major decisions. The process brings issues and underlying assumptions to the surface, using the diverse perspectives of all members of the group. Then, most helpfully, it structures contributions so that the group reaches a shared understanding and can see the whole, rich picture.'Ros Micklem, Principal, Cardonald College, Glasgow, Scotland

'Bryson, Ackermann, Eden and Finn beautifully convert the bland noun "map" into the vivid managerial verb, "to map", and in doing so define a unique managerial capability that can provide new sources of order and meaning in chaotic times.'Karl E. Weick, Rensis Likert Distinguished University Professor of Organizational Behavior and Psychology, University of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

About the Author

John M. Bryson is a professor of planning and public affairs at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN (USA), and has held visiting appointments at the London Business School, University of Strathclyde, University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University. His research, teaching and consulting interests focus on leadership, strategic management and the design of participation processes. He uses causal mapping in much of this work. Professor Bryson has published ten books and over 80 scholarly articles and book chapters. He consults widely in the US and UK.

Fran Ackermann is a professor of strategy and information systems at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow (UK). She is interested in working with groups (public or private, multinationals, or small and medium-sized enterprises) on messy, complex, strategic problems and sees causal mapping as a fundamental aspect of this work. She has consulted widely both within the UK and in Europe, Australia and the USA. She is co-developer (with Colin Eden) of causal mapping software – both for individual use and for groups – and continues to explore means of supporting group working through IT. She has written extensively in the area, having published three books and over 70 scholarly articles.

Colin Eden is a professor of strategic management and management science at the University of Strathclyde. His major interests are in: (1) the processes of strategy making in senior management teams, and (2) the success and failure of large projects. He has consulted with the senior management teams of a wide range of public and private organizations in Europe and North America. In all of these activities he uses causal mapping as a part of the process. He is the author of seven books and over 150 scholarly articles in management science and strategic management.

Charles B. Finn is a management professor at the College of Saint Rose, Albany, New York (USA). He has held teaching and management positions at the University of Minnesota and State University of New York. He has worked as a consultant to private, public and non-profit organizations at local, state and federal levels within the USA and has taught and consulted internationally. He has two interests in mapping: (1) how large, diffuse systems can organize for everyday challenges and do the necessary strategic thinking to realize competitive advantages, and (2) how to use mapping to encourage personal and organizational learning and development.

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470869151
• ISBN-13: 978-0470869154
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,504,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Cognitive Simulation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, confusing presentation, January 23, 2010

By 

Darrell Costello - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Visible Thinking: Unlocking Causal Mapping for Practical Business Results (Paperback)

I agree with the authors that visually organizing and mapping ideas can be a tremendous help in making sound decisions. I also thought the examples the authors chose to illustrate the value of mapping were appropriate and showed clear cases where these techniques can be very helpful in planning and decision making.

My main problem with the book was that I found the organization of the material confusing. Idea mapping is a simple concept that, if presented clearly, doesn't require over 300 pages of explanation and examples. I was also a little put off by the numerous plugs for the authors' various products related to causal mapping.

I hope the authors will continue to promote the causal mapping ideas presented in this book because they certainly can be lead to much better decisions BUT I think they need to come up with a shorter, simpler, clearer explanation for how to apply these techniques.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money and time, May 8, 2008

By 

Vivek (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visible Thinking: Unlocking Causal Mapping for Practical Business Results (Paperback)

Very amateurish writing style. I expected a better attempt from "professors" than such pathetic and childish approach. Authors almost insult the readers' intelligence by
1. Thinking that they have some really unique idea which no one has ever tried before.
2. Wasting many pages in the beginning just to get to the point and repeating the same basic idea with unending anectodes; which ultimately feels like elementary craft class.

The subject could and should have been presented in a better way by getting help from some professional writer. Sheer waste of paper it's written on.