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Title: Performance By Design: Sociotechnical Systems In North America by James C., Ph.D. Taylor, David F. Felten ISBN: 0136564976 Publisher: Pearson Education POD Pub. Date: 20 November, 1992 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $52.00

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Average Customer Rating: 3

Rating: 2
Summary: Impossible Reading
Comment: In my 7 years of post secondary education, I can honestly say this is the worst book I've ever had to read.

Why?

1. The writing style is horiible. You'll have better luck understanding books on the synaptic reflexes of sub-Saharan lizards than you will this book. Many sentences are structured poorly and the authors' choice of words make understanding their point very difficult.

2. The Socio-Technical System (STS) described in the book is a complicated methodology to reengineer a company, division, etc. What it really is is a "MOTO" method - a Master Of The Obvious method. This is not to say that book doesn't have many good points about reengineering a system, it does. However, it complicates reasonable methods into an overall complex system that obscures their value.

3. In practical terms, the STS system described in this book is impossible to implement. Afterall, have you ever heard of STS before? Of course not... because it's not used in practice.

4. It's expensive, very expensive.

If you are hoping to learn more about reengineering, I would recommend another book. As much as I'd like to be able to offer one, I cannot, sorry.

If you have to read this for a college class, make sure you have plenty of time set aside since it will take you longer than you think.

Rating: 4
Summary: Outstanding for organizational redesign and design.
Comment: This represents a one of a kind. Socio-Technical Systems has been around for a long time but never a better read if you are really interested in designing for performance. Taylor and Felten have a proven track record and have done a great job with a difficult subject. They take you through the process of design step by step with a case study of examples. It's focus on systems thinking and defining organizations as a living system helps us redefine our view of organizational life. For organizational development and training practitioners this book is a must read.

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