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

This book is good at reminding us not just to solve the problem logically, but to put it into a context of an organization (any interrelation with people). Who has the problem? Does he want the problem to be solved? What is the problem (as in example with toy factory)? If you are not you, but someone else, what would you do? These questions are, although common sense, were not at all obvious to me before reading this book.I give 3 stars for 2 reasons:1) The problems in the book could be stated in a more realistic fashion, so that one would have a solid interest in giving it a try to solve on his own2) Make main statements less ambiguousI give one additional star for the fact that I haven't seen any other book of this kind.George Polya wrote a wonderful book on problem-solving. His focus is on mathematics, but can be applied as a guide to any thought process. He also stresses the need to clearly understand the problem by asking yourself questions, like: "What is the unknown?, "What are the data?", "What is the condition?". He goes further into showing methods of finding a solution, devising a plan and drawing lessons from solved problems. This book also gives a chance to practice with easy mathematically, but nevertheless not standard puzzles in the end of the book.

I have conflicted feels about this book. This book contained many insightful points but often said them in a complicated convoluted manner. This made book hard to read. The examples were often random and weird. Instead of using real world examples, they used made up examples.

This book is a gift that keeps on giving. I have read it twice and I am working on my third read-through, and I am seeing new insights that I didn't see the first two times I read it. The book does not contain specific advice for specific situations. However, when dealing with ambiguity and nuance, this book provides new of ways of looking the problem that you might have otherwise passed over.

Are Your Light's On? How to Figure Out What the Problem Really Is. By Donald C. Gause and Gerald M. Weinberg has been a favorite of mine since I first ripped through a copy I found on my father's book shelf in early 80's. I subsequently reattacked it late one evening in the early 90's. Over the past 20 years I have returned to it over and over again and have provided many copies along with its powerful yet exceedingly simple message to the members of the analytic teams I have had the privilege to assemble and lead. The message...Are your light's on? Are you awake? Are you able to use your brain before you engage your gears? Or as Tom Watson the founder of IBM has beckoned us to do, THINK!There are six chapters in this book. Each chapter takes between 15 and 20 minutes to read. An average reader should be finished in less than two hours. For the cost of a movie, perhaps $8 bucks, and a similar time commitment I suggest that the lessons within this book are more powerful per dollar than anything I have ever read. For me the revelations are almost spiritual in nature. I've had mixed reactions from team members to whom I have shared its message. Some think it's cute-- it is. Some believe it's a book about problem solving-- it's not. Some are insulted by the implication--they should be, and alas some have never found the time to actually read it--that's a crying shame. Those who have seen the light share in a new found wealth. Those who have not will remain in the dark. ARE your lights on? Are your LIGHTS on? Are your lights ON? Are YOUR lights on?

I manage a team of business systems analysts whose job it is to solve problems. No, not the problem as stated by the user, but the underlying problem that is often unseen. And to find the solution that was never obvious. That's where this book excels. It does not teach problem solving, it is not a heavy read, it offers no formal methodology. Instead, it uses many humorous and thoughtful examples to involve the reader in thinking about the real, unstated, problem or opportunity. This is one of those rare books that you can read again and again.

I bought this book on the recommend of a colleague. Wish I hadn't. The book spends a lot of ink in setting-up a scenario and then providing convaluted responses/solutions without actually giving direct, meaningful guidance. I know I may be 'spooned' by others who might say I don't get it... but that's exactly my point... the book is supposed to supply the answer to why my lights might not be on!!!

This engaging little book helps you step back and see your problems from a broader perspective, which helps you solve them more effectively. It also introduces you to a number of truths about problems, especially that solving one problem always creates another.What this book does not do, however, is tell you how to solve problems. If you're looking for how-to, look elsewhere.

This little book is a quick read that's worth every minute. Rather than approaching problem-solving with a focus on the 'solving', it teaches the reader how to ask smart questions about the problem itself.--An essential read for beginning consultants--An important read for anyone in (or supervising people in) a problem-solving function--A worthwhile read for experienced consultantsThe page layout of the book is odd and occasionally irritating, but the information layout has no such flaws. Easy both to read and use.

Der Titel hat mich eigentlich nicht angesprochen aber wegen der Inhaltsangabe habe ich es trotzdem gekauft. Der Inhalt ist sehr humorvoll manchmal witzig dargestellt und man trifft so einiges an Lebensweisheiten adrett verpackt und stringent im Zusammenhang dargestellt.

very good book

Wer im Testing Umfeld arbeitet, kommt an Weinberg nicht vorbei.Und das ist auch gut so. Das Wissen, was in den über 30 Büchern steckt, die Jerry zu unterschiedlichsten Themengebieten geschrieben hat, ist immer noch aktuell und faszinierend.