|
 This book has the x-factor!
What I like most about this book is that it's timeless. When you spent your time on 'Re-engineering the Corporation' and 'Beyond Re-engineering' you should definitly pick up this book. At the time when I read this book in 2002 it held some new knowledge, but really targeted the IT questions you have when you read the other two titles. Now, IT has become more important than ever before and so has this book increased its value.
Don't get me wrong, this book has it flaws. No matter what's written, IT is always one step in front of what's written about it and with this book it's even two or three steps behind. What counts, though, is the thinking process described and how you can convert this knowledge into the Internet age. But again, that's fun to think of for yourself, as reading a book counts for nothing if you don't know what you're reading anyways.
Being an IT professional every piece of knowledge outside the 'technical field' is valuable. Read it when you're in or related to IT, as it will provide you with vast knowledge that has withstood the test of time.
 Right on the dot
What Mr.Champy has written, I have experienced. Most of us in technology and related industry have participated in the client-server boom, where all corporations were breaking the inter-department barriers and "re-engineering" their corporations. ... I don't doubt even for a moment when Mr.Champy claims that the "X-engineering" revolution will be much bigger than the "reengineering revolution". The technology is ready and almost mature - internet, application servers, XML standards. The business problem is obvious - break down the corporate boundaries to achieve efficiency. Dell is the poster-boy. Current economic climate is creating a momentary damper. The only gripe I have the book is that it didn't include a chapter on technologies that make X-engineering happen. This probably would have completed the picture for the IT manager...
Right on the dot
What Mr.Champy has written, I have experienced. Most of us in technology and related industry have participated in the client-server boom, where all corporations were breaking the inter-department barriers and "re-engineering" their corporations. I worked on $$ million dollar project for an Insurance company and yes, we drastically reduced their policy-writing and claim-processing time. Thanks to Mr. Champy and Mr. Collins. The company achieved huge tangible ROI. I don't doubt even for a moment when Mr.Champy claims that the "X-engineering" revolution will be much bigger than the "reengineering revolution". The technology is ready and almost mature - internet, application servers, XML standards. The business problem is obvious - break down the corporate boundaries to achieve efficiency. Dell is the poster-boy. Current economic climate is creating a momentary damper. The only gripe I have the book is that it didn't include a chapter on technologies that make X-engineering happen. This probably would have completed the picture for the IT manager. I had written my thoughts prior to reading the book. Uncanny resemblance to Mr. Champy's thought-process.
 A great book for the first-timers
It is a great book for those who have not read any of the Champy/Hammer reengineering books, but would like to understand the reengineering foundation. However, those, who have and practice reengineering or `the art of agility' in corporate America - will be disappointed. The book provides no new solutions to the present chaos in global business. The book does not even identify the systemic problems plaguing corporate America. Forget about connecting the dots, the book cannot even show you the dots. Everyone knows to create harmony or to be good to your customer. It is easy to name companies who are doing well and highlight some general processes even though the same company might file for chapter 11 a few months down the road. The problem is systemic like cancer that pervades the business community as evidenced from great companies like Xerox, Polaroid, Global Crossing, K-Mart, Stage Stores, Worldcom and so on. The book does not identify the problem nor prescribes the life style changing solution. The book does not even complain that the people who work in information technology department have no clue about "information" let alone know how to use them. Everyone in the IT department is an expert in the specific silo based hardware or software tools - but not in the "information". The companies never ask for it and hence never get it. So...nothing new here. The book talks great things about SciQuest. I too had dealings with that company. My impressions were along the line of "Information? - what is that?" Just a simple check of their publicly available financials would tell a different story...
Great read
Want to add the next kicker to your business model? Then seriously consider X-Engineering your Corporation. Champy gives solid examples from both high technology 'giants' such as Dell, Cisco and Solectron and more traditional companies in healthcare, financial services and publishing in a good balance that demonstrate how taking a different perspective on your corporation's processes can deliver real results. Extend your processes out to your customers, your suppliers and even your competition to achieve customer informed value propositions that balance between product/service push and market pull. Operate only those processes which are really core to you as internal 'secrets'. Champy gives advice on how companies can stage their X-engineering efforts and gives guidance on common pitfalls. This book is a good, fast read, sure to excite any executive's mind who wants to position their company to have a sustained advantage and achieve a new platform from which to have options to grow their business.
|
(based on 9 reviews)
