Rating: 
Summary: A "Must Read" for anyone investigating failure incidents
Review: After several years of pumping equipment failure analysis engineering, this is by far the best book I've read about the failure analysis and problem solving process. Dean Gano's approach covers the full spectrum of associated issues in a very efficient and flexible manner. He challenges a lot of failure analysis "conventional wisdom" in a very convincing manner, truly creating "a new way of thinking" that should greatly improve failure solutions.
Rating:
Summary: A "Must Read" for anyone investigating failure incidents
Review: After several years of pumping equipment failure analysis engineering, this is by far the best book I've read about the failure analysis and problem solving process. Dean Gano's approach covers the full spectrum of associated issues in a very efficient and flexible manner. He challenges a lot of failure analysis "conventional wisdom" in a very convincing manner, truly creating "a new way of thinking" that should greatly improve failure solutions.
Rating:
Summary: A unique approach
Review: Apollo is the name given by the author to his unique approach to root cause analysis. I'm assuming this (Apollo) explains why there is a naked man on the cover, either that or this is the most unique author photo I have ever seen. The book focuses on causal relationships, emphasizing that there are often many causes (factors) contributing to an undesirable outcome. The author's insights on casual relationships and human behavior are extraordinary, it is obvious he is passionate about this topic and has had extensive experience with it. In addition to explaining " A new way of thinking", the author details specific tools (his own version of a cause-and-effect chart) that are the core of the Apollo method. And just when I started thinking that it would be great if there was software available to do this, he mentions that he has such a product available.
There were a few things I didn't like about the book. In fact, after receiving the book, the combination of the naked dude on the cover (which still creeps me out) and the opening paragraph in the "How to read this book" section which you just have to say "Duh!" to, almost convinced me to not read the book at all. In addition, the branding of "Apollo" throughout the book ( frequent references to "the Apollo method", "the Apollo process", "Apollo tools") made some sections read like scripts from an infomercial. These are minor gripes though, and I'm glad I got by them and took the time to read this excellent book
Rating:
Summary: A New Way of Thinking!
Review: Apollo Root Cause Analysis is the right process for anyone interested in successful problem solving. This book is easy to read and describes a problem solving method that is practical and highly effective. Dean Gano's chapter "Set Up To Fail" provides a great explanation of why many of the conventional problem solving tools do not result in workable solutions. The cause and effect principle (Chapter 2) is a powerful concept and the important step of supporting each "caused by" with evidence makes this methodology unique. Chapter 4 discusses "Identifying Effective Solutions". Gano's definition of an effective solution is one that prevents recurrence, is within the control of stakeholders (those that have the authority and responsibility to implement the solution) and that meets goals and objectives. A considerable amount of information packed into 184 pages. The author provides new tools that allow the problem solver to develop creative solutions. The Apollo process works! I strongly recommend this book to environmental, health and safety professionals and others that want to improve their problem solving skills. I have provided copies of this book to my entire EHS team.
Rating:
Summary: A New Way of Thinking!
Review: Apollo Root Cause Analysis is the right process for anyone interested in successful problem solving. This book is easy to read and describes a problem solving method that is practical and highly effective. Dean Gano's chapter "Set Up To Fail" provides a great explanation of why many of the conventional problem solving tools do not result in workable solutions. The cause and effect principle (Chapter 2) is a powerful concept and the important step of supporting each "caused by" with evidence makes this methodology unique. Chapter 4 discusses "Identifying Effective Solutions". Gano's definition of an effective solution is one that prevents recurrence, is within the control of stakeholders (those that have the authority and responsibility to implement the solution) and that meets goals and objectives. A considerable amount of information packed into 184 pages. The author provides new tools that allow the problem solver to develop creative solutions. The Apollo process works! I strongly recommend this book to environmental, health and safety professionals and others that want to improve their problem solving skills. I have provided copies of this book to my entire EHS team.
Rating:
Summary: Maximum Leverage of Cause and Effect...
Review: Dean Gano presents the most comprehensive philosophy towards problem solving that I have ever encountered. He sheds the first light on classic problem solving snafus such as story-telling, our failure to identify conditional causes, and why categorization schemes will always lead us away from creative solutions. Gano has identified the common thread that is inherent in all problems (the principle of cause and effect) and provides the reader with a comprehensive tool that allows effective solutions to be created for any problem, from minor incident to catastrophic failure. This is a great book for anyone who is serious about preventing recurrence and jumpstarting process improvement. A word of warning...organizations and individuals that rely on old-school office politics and strong-arm tactics as problem solving strategies beware! Gano is the first to install power into the concept of empowerment.
Rating:
Summary: Maximum Leverage of Cause and Effect...
Review: Dean Gano presents the most comprehensive philosophy towards problem solving that I have ever encountered. He sheds the first light on classic problem solving snafus such as story-telling, our failure to identify conditional causes, and why categorization schemes will always lead us away from creative solutions. Gano has identified the common thread that is inherent in all problems (the principle of cause and effect) and provides the reader with a comprehensive tool that allows effective solutions to be created for any problem, from minor incident to catastrophic failure. This is a great book for anyone who is serious about preventing recurrence and jumpstarting process improvement. A word of warning...organizations and individuals that rely on old-school office politics and strong-arm tactics as problem solving strategies beware! Gano is the first to install power into the concept of empowerment.
Rating: 
Summary: Great introductory work
Review: I teach root cause analysis and have been a practicing failure analyst for nearly 15 years. I've had the priviledge of working with some very expert people in this field. Dean Gano does a great job taking what can be a very confusing and intimidating task and making it clear and understandable.Dean Gano has been honing his craft for many years and is well respected in the failure analysis community. The only criticism I have is that the process is more geared to providing supporting evidence for possible causes of events. There needs to be more discussion of the need for refuting evidence. Cause analysis at its best is a structured application of scientific principles (referred to as the scientific method). What the scientific method requires is that you pose a hypothesis (a possible explanation for what has happened) and then gather evidence to support or refute the hypothesis. I recommend that anyone interested in a better understanding of how refuting evidence is used read "The Rational Manager" by Chuck Kepner and Ben Tregoe. It's the foundational work that provides a complete solution for resolving concerns (problems, decisions, etc). The "Rational Manager" has you break things down and deal with them separately. Dean Gano's book helps you see the larger picture. The other book I use as required reading for our root cause analysts is "Managing the Risks of Organizational Accidents" by James Reason. Together, these three references will help you to significantly improve your ability to resolve problems and will be the three books you will refer to over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Great introductory work
Review: I teach root cause analysis and have been a practicing failure analyst for nearly 15 years. I've had the priviledge of working with some very expert people in this field. Dean Gano does a great job taking what can be a very confusing and intimidating task and making it clear and understandable. Dean Gano has been honing his craft for many years and is well respected in the failure analysis community. The only criticism I have is that the process is more geared to providing supporting evidence for possible causes of events. There needs to be more discussion of the need for refuting evidence. Cause analysis at its best is a structured application of scientific principles (referred to as the scientific method). What the scientific method requires is that you pose a hypothesis (a possible explanation for what has happened) and then gather evidence to support or refute the hypothesis. I recommend that anyone interested in a better understanding of how refuting evidence is used read "The Rational Manager" by Chuck Kepner and Ben Tregoe. It's the foundational work that provides a complete solution for resolving concerns (problems, decisions, etc). The "Rational Manager" has you break things down and deal with them separately. Dean Gano's book helps you see the larger picture. The other book I use as required reading for our root cause analysts is "Managing the Risks of Organizational Accidents" by James Reason. Together, these three references will help you to significantly improve your ability to resolve problems and will be the three books you will refer to over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for doing Med Error Root Cause Analysis...
Review: Read several books and this seems to get to the heart of the matter in the least amount of time. Book is well written, to the point and will get you going within 24 hours.
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