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

by Russell L. Ackoff

"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.

Genres: Business, Management, Nonfiction, Reference

214 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Russell Lincoln Ackoff was Anheuser Busch Professor Emeritus of management science at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Professor Ackoff was an American organizational theorist and consultant, and a pioneer in the fields of operations research and management science.

Reviews

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourty years after publication, professor Ackoff's writing is still fresh and interesting.

The first part of the book is a highly recommended read to anyone, as it explores in an easy manner and with good examples many interesting ideas and concepts related both to systems thinking and problem solving.

The second part expands on the ideas presented on the first, with a more detailed approach to specific problems. Although interesting for managers, consultants, engineers, and other people involved with organization and resolution of complex problems, this part may be less interesting for other readers. It is also based on examples that, altough interesting, might feel (with good reason, considering it was published decades ago) somewhat outdated. In spite of this, they are still great examples.

Overall, a great book.

[Tnsitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm still reading this book, but I can say that the author, Russell L. Ackoff, is real good in describing things, which we call "problem" regarding to this book, philosophically. This may disturb you since philosophy is pretty hard to understand, but this also give you a broader vision and better concept for problem solving. Those guys who are interested in Operations Research or Quantitative Analysis should pay attention to this book, this may give you another concept of problem solving, other than numeric concept. ;)

[Vanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesante pero está claro que muchas cosas ya son obvias y otras tantas han cambiado, por lo que se vuelve un tanto lento.
Algunas fábulas de hecho, me gustaron.

[Devony Whiting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good information, but I feel that it could have been more concise.

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating book on how to go about solving problems. Although fabulously creative, and explicit in how to tackle problem solving, some of the stories are now clearly products of their time that build progressive-for-its-time solutions, built on frequently obsolete assumptions.

I was enthralled by this book and now want, more than ever, to explore Ackoff’s works that I haven’t gotten to, yet.

[Alejandro Teruel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un excelente, lúcido y ameno libro escrito por una de las figuras fundadoras de la Investigación de Operaciones.

[Juan Esteban Mejía-Velásquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aborda la resolución de problemas como un acto creativo más cercano al diseño que al análisis puramente lógico. Su premisa filosófica central es que los problemas solo se entienden plenamente dentro de sistemas interrelacionados; por eso insiste en “desarrollar la comprensión del todo antes que optimizar las partes”.

Sin embargo, la obra recurre a fábulas y ejemplos extremadamente sencillos (la olla que hierve, el burro entre dos montones de heno ) que funcionan como viñetas ilustrativas pero recortan la complejidad real de los sistemas sociales, tecnológicos o organizacionales. Esa ligereza narrativa vuelve el texto muy accesible, pero diluye el impacto de su mirada sistémica: el lector no siempre percibe las tensiones, retroalimentaciones y ambigüedades que surgen en problemas auténticamente complejos.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first part of this book. It was clear that a acoff is the genius about systems. I was struck by how relevant his ideas still are even with the huge changes with technology. It made me realize that certain principles indir through time regardless of the environment. I especially liked his discussion about omnipotence, many gospel parallels there.

[Artur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first part: a wonderful mix of science, ideas and fables.
I could not immerse into the second part: building and detailed ideal model in special domains.

[Esteban Amaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it’s examples are old. The method behind the theory are great. You start looking at problems in your life with a different perspective.

[Mauricio González Abrigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un clásico del management, que instaló la distinción entre resolución, solución y disolución de problemas. El enfoque presentado es, hoy en día, casi una obviedad: investiga el problema antes de proponerle una solución, y entiende por investigación no solo el reunir datos e información acerca del problema sino también los supuestos que diéronle origen. Estos últimos deberían ser sometidos al cuestionamiento que brinda el contraste con el cómo las cosas están funcionando realmente. El enfoque no es puramente científico pues incluye mucho de lo que el autor llama "arte", o sea, nuestra capacidad de no dar las cosas por obvias o evidentes sino de someterlas a cuestionamiento y chequeo.
El libro es antiguo, la temática es antigua, pero creo que ha resistido muy bien el paso del tiempo pues, al final de cuentas, lo que presenta y propone no es un método ni un procedimiento sino un enfoque, un modo de aproximar los problemas.

[Paul Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

EAsy afternoon read for anyone interested in mathmatical thinking or managment. not much math here, just interesting stories that inspire thought. Ackoff is very readable and a great teacher in many respects.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed to determine what sections might be good for an undergraduate course I'm teaching in the spring.

Overall, I think a good book, introduction to systems.