Beyond Reengineering: How the Process-Centered Organization Is Changing Our Work and Our Lives

by Michael Hammer

Book Overview

"Better than Reengineering. This is an extremely important book. Michael Hammer is growing, learning... and raising (appropriate) hell."-- Tom Peters, co-author of In Search of Excellence "A visionary book.... Dr. Hammer offers a challenging vision of how the total organization could be transformed as a result of process-oriented thinking." -- Donald Soderquist, vice chairman, Wal-Mart"Hammer has done it again First, he defined reengineering. Now,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0887307299
• ISBN13: 9780887307294
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: Harper Business
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Just more reengineering.

This book is heavily tied to its bestselling predecessor and therefore offers little excitement. Ofcourse, some new elements are added and forgotten subjects are drawn upon, but this book offers just more reengineering and doesn't go beyond the first book. Is this book not worth reading then? Absolutely not, you should actually read it. But not before completing the first book. Still thirsty after that one? Then get a refill with this one.

A must read for anyone interested in how organizations work

I recently had the privilige of attending a Dr. Hammer seminar in Boston and can tell you that this book tracks closely with his seminar which was the best I have ever attended. The book however goes into much greater detail and depth than a one day high level seminar can go to. The portions that described the first principles of business (chapter 6)and the dramatic impact that process centered organizations will have on employees (the entire book)were standouts. I have already used information contained here in my work as a consultant for a major federal systems integrator. I am also going to try and get my children who are attending college and high school to read at least chapter 14 (What I Tell My Children)so that they can take advantage of Dr Hammer's guidance with respect to the selection of fulfilling educational and career choices. I think it is the best book on business that I have ever read.I also understand the book was written for a general audience but it would have been nice to have some footnotes and research to underpin some of the pronouncements of business benefits. I tried to track the performance of American Standard, Texas Instruments, and GTE to see if I could confirm Hammer's assertions but it would have taken too much time. Maybe he can publish an addendum for those of us interested in such matters.

Almost a homer, just a long double off the top of the wall

After the first nine chapters, I thought this book was better than the original, Reengineering the Corporation. But the second half of the book wanders off into repetition, ambiguity and irrelevance. Oh well, it is still worth the cost just to read the first half of this sequel, because it adds depth to the original book.

It is a shake-down to tradition!

After going thru all the series of Michael's "state-of-the-art" books, I also applied some ideas and approaches while doing consulting work with my clients. However, it is not a happy ending for every case I consulted with in the real world. But to myself, I definitly believe in what Michael promoted all about - process thinking, process organizing - without any doubt. The "thing" we deliver to the customer, even we can say the reason why a comapny can exist is VALUE, not product, technology, or so-called "service". I know it's hard to define what VALUE means, but what I do believe is to delight the customers may represent they feel the value! By the way, Chapter 7 in the book - A Football Team is my favorite part, because I also use "Basketball team" to motivate my staff! And believe me, it does WORK!

This is exactly the way companies should be operating.

Hammer does an excellent job explaining the way companies should be operating in the new business environment. Those that learn to use his methods will be the survivors. Easy to read & very absorbing