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Title: Thinking Visually: Business Applications of 14 Core Diagrams by Malcolm, Phd Craig ISBN: 0-8264-4833-X Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Pub. Date: 01 September, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Extraordinary tool for writers and analysts
Comment: As an IT consultant I do a lot of writing and create a lot of graphics to reinforce my words. Before discovering this gem my primary graphics reference was Information Graphics by Robert L. Harris, which is a comprehensive encyclopedia of technical graphics. Thinking Visually will not replace that book, but will augment it because this book is more of a how-to and is focused on 14 basic diagrams that I find myself using in one variation or another in nearly every project. The book is divided into three parts: (1) Introduction to Diagramming, which is among the best descriptions of diagramming and how to approach it that I've had the pleasure of reading; (2) APplying the Core Diagrams, and (3) Introduction to Diagramming, which is an extension of Part 1 that wraps up the book with excellent advice.
Part 2 is the heart of the book. The core Diagrams are divided into six groups: (1) MAPPING THE BUSINESS (System Maps, Mind Maps), (2) RELATIONSHIP AND INFLUENCE (Relationship, Tree, Influence), (3) CONTROL IN BUSINESS (Input/Output, Control), (4) CAUSATION (Multiple Cause, Fishbone [also called Ishikawa], Sign), (5) CHANGE (Force-field, Window), (6) FLOW (Flow, Ring).
Many of the diagrams have multiple instances. For example, flow diagrams can take the form of flow process, blocks, algorithms (flow charts) or network diagrams. Likewise, window diagrams take on many different forms, including strength/weakness/opportunity/threat (SWOT), quad matrices (such as the "Boston Matrix"). This extends the 14 core diagrams into many more because of the variations, with all of the major ones discussed in this book.
What I especially like is the way the author presents each diagram: overview of the diagram, business application, business purpose and summary and conventions. When variations are discussed, such as a critical path network diagram derived from a flow, the same treatment is given.
As I read through this book familiarizing myself with these basic tools I discovered that my primary software tool, Visio, contained stencil sets for many of these diagrams, including Mind Mapping, SWOT Fishbone and many more. I also liked the final part of the book because it contains valuable advice on managing information with the core diagrams - especially developing diagrams that convey information instead of resulting in information overload. The chapter on diagramming theory and some of its pitfalls was also excellent. Finally, Appendices A and B, only two pages, are incredibly useful because they map the core diagrams to themes (Appendix A) and to management activity (Appendix B). These make selecting the right tool for the right job easy, and their inclusion is a nice touch of added value.
I cannot praise this book highly enough. It has quickly become one of my most valuable tools and has also enlightened me on a number of issues and factors related to effectively selecting and using diagrams. It merits 5 stars!
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent reference to graphical representation
Comment: This is an excellent book of templates for graphical visulization of complex information. I think that this book belongs right on the bookshelf of anyone who uses line graphics for research and business...right next to Tufte's classics. Highly recommended.
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Title: Rapid Problem Solving With Post-It Notes by David Straker ISBN: 1555611427 Publisher: Fisher Books Pub. Date: 01 August, 1997 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: The Thinker's Toolkit: Fourteen Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving by Morgan D. Jones ISBN: 0812928083 Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA) Pub. Date: 01 July, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Mapping Inner Space: Learning and Teaching Visual Mapping by Nancy Margulies, Nusa Maal ISBN: 1569761388 Publisher: Zephyr Press (AZ) Pub. Date: 01 November, 2001 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
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Title: Information Graphics: A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference by Robert L. Harris ISBN: 0195135326 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $50.00 |
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Title: Turning Numbers into Knowledge: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving by Jonathan Koomey ISBN: 0970601905 Publisher: Analytics Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
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