Problem Solved!

Uses your favorite top-drawer tool—the Post-it® Note. Great for individuals, great for groups—large or small.

 

Problems come in all shapes and sizes, yet most have common characteristics that can be addressed with the techniques found in this book. Rapid Problem-Solving with Post-it® Notes shows you how to use six types of techniques:

• The Post-up—Provides methods for getting information into chunks 
• The Swap Sort—Shows listing and organization methods 
• The Top-down Tree—Works when the nature of the problem is unknown
• The Information Map—Maps messy problems and complex relationships 
• The Action Map—Plans actions or maps an existing process
• More than 70 diagrams and examples for solving everyday problems

This refreshing book reminds us the simplest ideas are often the most effective.

 

Solve problems, create solutions and find answers fast—all with the help of Post-it® Notes. Tens of millions of Post-it® Notes users can now learn how to do far more with these great little tools. Post-it® Notes can be used to help solve difficult problems because they:

• Are the right size to hold one piece of information from a problem
• Are easily to attached to flat surfaces and stay put
• Can be moved and reattached many times

Average Customer Review: ( 28 customer reviews )
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When I first started reading this book it took me back to a book called "Visualizing Project Management" where the authors Forsberg, Mooz and Cotterman use the process of "Cards on the Wall" technique to encourage group thinking and visually determine dependencies.

This book introduces an effective way to solve problems with Post-it® Note. It starts off by showing simple key principles: (1) Chunking; capturing small information of data, (2) Problem Patterns, arranging and determining relationships, (3) Guiding decisions and keeping clear objectives, and (4) the *FOG* factor (Facts, Opinions, Guesses).

The core of the book provides 6 easy to use methods: (1) Post up, (2) Swap sort, (3) Top-down Tree, (4) Bottom-up Tree, (5) Information map and (6) Action Map. Note that "Information map" has nothing to do with Information Mapping®, which is both a registered trademark and different method owned by Information Mapping, Inc.

These methods are represented graphically with many examples to help you determine which method is best suited to find the solution for complex problems.

What I found most helpful in this book was the step-by-step procedures in every chapter. Every method has a clear definition of what it is and how and when it should be used. Grasping these methods will paint a clear picture towards the direction of a solution. I recommend this book to those that are looking for an effective, yet simple, way of solving problems.

51 of 51 found the following review helpful:

Constantly recommending this book to othersNov 03, 2006
By Michael Michalko
I'm the author of "Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative Thinking Techniques," and other books on creative thinking. As such, I read pretty much everything that's published that can be useful in facilitating creative thinking workshops and seminars. I find the ideas in this book fun,useful and extremely effective. I'm constantly recomending it to people looking for ways to become more creative in their personal and business lives.



76 of 79 found the following review helpful:

A wonderful introduction to systems thinkingDec 12, 2001
By Michael Tobis
This book is a real wonder.

In a very friendly way, and without resorting to any technology beyond sticky notes, it introduces several concepts of computer science and systems engineering.

It can be used as a brainstorming tool, but it can also be used by us programmers as a gift to the non-programmers in our lives. It can serve as an exposition of what it is we do all day when we aren't cursing irritating APIs and OS misfeatures. This is about the part of our jobs that we love and that we have so much trouble explaining.

I'm delighted it's still in print. I love oddball books in general, and this is a great example. It really delivers much more than it claims to.

Don't hesitate for a minute to buy this one.
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mt

22 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Practical, easy to use bookJun 17, 2000

This book provides six easy to use methods for facilitating decision making and getting everyone involved in working through solutions. I keep this book in my briefcase for use at any time - don't let the name of the book fool you, it's about quick methods for problem solving using Post It Notes to help you. I keep referring back to the book time and again. I highly recommend it.

41 of 48 found the following review helpful:

Very Light ReadingFeb 07, 2008
By Stephen J. Smith "-=Steves"
I'm a big fan of using rapid prototyping in a variety of ways - from everything from designing software products to building consensus in meetings and setting priorities. There was nothing new in this book that a smart person with the general idea wouldn't be able to come up with on their own. There is a lot of white space in the book and many rudimentary ideas are explained in painful detail. No case studies and really only one application (building consensus and prioritization in meetings). The contents of the book might be better contained in a five page pamphlet.

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