Are Your Lights On?: How to Figure Out What the Problem Really Is (Paperback)

~ Donald C. Gause; Gerald M. Weinberg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is a down-to-earth approach to the managerial problems of the '90's." -- Jim Van Speybroeck, Data Processing Digest

"another wonderful and whimsical book from Gerald Weinberg and Donald Gause." -- Barry Kornfeld, Sound Bytes

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated (March 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932633161
• ISBN-13: 978-0932633163
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #46,620 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easily readable book that inspires better problem-solving, January 4, 1997

By A Customer

I manage programmers. I need people who think on their feet and who know how to cut through the B.S. (no, not Bachelor of Science) and get to the real issues, then solve them.

That's why I'm buying everyone on my staff a copy of this book, now that I've managed to find a vendor who can get it.

Published originally in the 1970's, this book focuses on a number of creative approaches to solving seemingly intractable problems. Not a cookbook with recipes for specific problems, _Are_Your_Lights_On?_ inspires every reader to develop her own approaches to problems by emphasizing how many different ways there really are to skin a cat.

The book tells a number of stories that present sticky problems and then concludes the stories with how those problems were solved. The style of the writing is extremely informal and amusing while never patronizing. Entertaining pen and ink sketches illustrate the stories and the reader just keeps going because it's fun. But never mistake the seriousness of the book's purpose. One fantasizes about sending copies to Benjamin Netanyahu and Yassir Arafat with the cover note, "Read this and then try again."

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will wear this book out..., May 18, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

I am buying my second copy of this book as I literally wore out my first - bought about 15 years ago. I have copied and quoted from it since it was first published and loaned it out. In my opinion, it is the best available book on problem solving. I have used it to teach members of my staff effective problem solving and it is universal - I am not in systems development. You will love the story that is the basis for the title.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best introduction to problem identification available., January 26, 1998

By A Customer

Deceptively simple and effortless to read with an enormous payback! Simply the best book on problem definition. Forces you to think about what the problem is before you decide to tackle it. Should be read often. Promotes common sense.