Customer Reviews

X-Engineering the Corporation: Reinventing Your Business in the Digital Age

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is a great book for those who have not read any of the Champy/Hammer reengineering books, but would like to understand the reengineering foundation. However, those, who have and practice reengineering or `the art of agility' in corporate America - will be disappointed. The book provides no new solutions to the present chaos in global business. The book does not even identify the systemic problems plaguing corporate America. Forget about connecting the dots, the book cannot even show you the dots. Everyone knows to create harmony or to be good to your customer. It is easy to name companies who are doing well and highlight some general processes even though the same company might file for chapter 11 a few months down the road. The problem is systemic like cancer that pervades the business community as evidenced from great companies like Xerox, Polaroid, Global Crossing, K-Mart, Stage Stores, Worldcom and so on. The book does not identify the problem nor prescribes the life style changing solution. The book does not even complain that the people who work in information technology department have no clue about "information" let alone know how to use them. Everyone in the IT department is an expert in the specific silo based hardware or software tools - but not in the "information". The companies never ask for it and hence never get it. So...nothing new here. The book talks great things about SciQuest. I too had dealings with that company. My impressions were along the line of "Information? - what is that?" Just a simple check of their publicly available financials would tell a different story...

What I like most about this book is that it's timeless. When you spent your time on 'Re-engineering the Corporation' and 'Beyond Re-engineering' you should definitly pick up this book. At the time when I read this book in 2002 it held some new knowledge, but really targeted the IT questions you have when you read the other two titles. Now, IT has become more important than ever before and so has this book increased its value.

Don't get me wrong, this book has it flaws. No matter what's written, IT is always one step in front of what's written about it and with this book it's even two or three steps behind. What counts, though, is the thinking process described and how you can convert this knowledge into the Internet age. But again, that's fun to think of for yourself, as reading a book counts for nothing if you don't know what you're reading anyways.

Being an IT professional every piece of knowledge outside the 'technical field' is valuable. Read it when you're in or related to IT, as it will provide you with vast knowledge that has withstood the test of time.

What Mr.Champy has written, I have experienced. Most of us in technology and related industry have participated in the client-server boom, where all corporations were breaking the inter-department barriers and "re-engineering" their corporations.

I worked on $$ million dollar project for an Insurance company and yes, we drastically reduced their policy-writing and claim-processing time. Thanks to Mr. Champy and Mr. Collins. The company achieved huge tangible ROI.

I don't doubt even for a moment when Mr.Champy claims that the "X-engineering" revolution will be much bigger than the "reengineering revolution". The technology is ready and almost mature - internet, application servers, XML standards. The business problem is obvious - break down the corporate boundaries to achieve efficiency. Dell is the poster-boy. Current economic climate is creating a momentary damper.

The only gripe I have the book is that it didn't include a chapter on technologies that make X-engineering happen. This probably would have completed the picture for the IT manager.

I had written my thoughts prior to reading the book.
Uncanny resemblance to Mr. Champy's thought-process.

Want to add the next kicker to your business model? Then seriously consider X-Engineering your Corporation. Champy gives solid examples from both high technology 'giants' such as Dell, Cisco and Solectron and more traditional companies in healthcare, financial services and publishing in a good balance that demonstrate how taking a different perspective on your corporation's processes can deliver real results. Extend your processes out to your customers, your suppliers and even your competition to achieve customer informed value propositions that balance between product/service push and market pull. Operate only those processes which are really core to you as internal 'secrets'. Champy gives advice on how companies can stage their X-engineering efforts and gives guidance on common pitfalls.

This book is a good, fast read, sure to excite any executive's mind who wants to position their company to have a sustained advantage and achieve a new platform from which to have options to grow their business.

I've read this book cover to cover and I have to say that it not only sets the stage for another radical change in how companies operate, but also how companies will be shaped in the future. This book goes way beyond the obvious linkages between companies and their suppliers/customers/partners. It is clear that companies, supply chains and industries that change in the ways described in this book will be positioned to thrive for years to come.

What Mr.Champy has written, I have experienced. Most of us in technology and related industry have participated in the client-server boom, where all corporations were breaking the inter-department barriers and "re-engineering" their corporations.

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I don't doubt even for a moment when Mr.Champy claims that the "X-engineering" revolution will be much bigger than the "reengineering revolution". The technology is ready and almost mature - internet, application servers, XML standards. The business problem is obvious - break down the corporate boundaries to achieve efficiency. Dell is the poster-boy. Current economic climate is creating a momentary damper.

The only gripe I have the book is that it didn't include a chapter on technologies that make X-engineering happen. This probably would have completed the picture for the IT manager...

I found the book to be an excellent representation of the background, processes, and knowledge necessary to "Mark the X" for improving enterprise business processes.

The description of X-Engineering, how it works, and how to approach 'doing it yourself' are easy to follow and make sense. The book provides an excellent framework for the heavy lifting ahead as bold companies redifine industries, processes, and boundaries.

I enjoyed the many case study references and found the book to have proven successes that apply to the issues of today. My opinion is that this book is a must read for executives who want to impact change beyond the walls of the enterprise.

X-engineering the Corporation is a must read for CxOs and other business leaders trying to maximize shareholder value. It crystallizes how to extend re-engineering concepts by employing real-time cross-enterprise processes and analyzing where they should be managed (i.e., internally, partnering, outsourced). I found it a fun, and insightful read because of the liberal use of client case studies.

Once again, Jim Champy has is ahead of his time with X-Engineering. I found the book to be another example of visionary thinking as he extends the thinking of corporate reengineering beyond traditional boundaries. The book is informative and inspirational.