Thinking Visually: Business Applications of 14 Core Diagrams

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary tool for writers and analysts
Review: As an IT consultant I do a lot of writing and create a lot of graphics to reinforce my words. Before discovering this gem my primary graphics reference was Information Graphics by Robert L. Harris, which is a comprehensive encyclopedia of technical graphics. Thinking Visually will not replace that book, but will augment it because this book is more of a how-to and is focused on 14 basic diagrams that I find myself using in one variation or another in nearly every project. The book is divided into three parts: (1) Introduction to Diagramming, which is among the best descriptions of diagramming and how to approach it that I've had the pleasure of reading; (2) APplying the Core Diagrams, and (3) Introduction to Diagramming, which is an extension of Part 1 that wraps up the book with excellent advice.

Part 2 is the heart of the book. The core Diagrams are divided into six groups: (1) MAPPING THE BUSINESS (System Maps, Mind Maps), (2) RELATIONSHIP AND INFLUENCE (Relationship, Tree, Influence), (3) CONTROL IN BUSINESS (Input/Output, Control), (4) CAUSATION (Multiple Cause, Fishbone [also called Ishikawa], Sign), (5) CHANGE (Force-field, Window), (6) FLOW (Flow, Ring).

Many of the diagrams have multiple instances. For example, flow diagrams can take the form of flow process, blocks, algorithms (flow charts) or network diagrams. Likewise, window diagrams take on many different forms, including strength/weakness/opportunity/threat (SWOT), quad matrices (such as the "Boston Matrix"). This extends the 14 core diagrams into many more because of the variations, with all of the major ones discussed in this book.

What I especially like is the way the author presents each diagram: overview of the diagram, business application, business purpose and summary and conventions. When variations are discussed, such as a critical path network diagram derived from a flow, the same treatment is given.

As I read through this book familiarizing myself with these basic tools I discovered that my primary software tool, Visio, contained stencil sets for many of these diagrams, including Mind Mapping, SWOT Fishbone and many more. I also liked the final part of the book because it contains valuable advice on managing information with the core diagrams - especially developing diagrams that convey information instead of resulting in information overload. The chapter on diagramming theory and some of its pitfalls was also excellent. Finally, Appendices A and B, only two pages, are incredibly useful because they map the core diagrams to themes (Appendix A) and to management activity (Appendix B). These make selecting the right tool for the right job easy, and their inclusion is a nice touch of added value.

I cannot praise this book highly enough. It has quickly become one of my most valuable tools and has also enlightened me on a number of issues and factors related to effectively selecting and using diagrams. It merits 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary tool for writers and analysts
Review: As an IT consultant I do a lot of writing and create a lot of graphics to reinforce my words. Before discovering this gem my primary graphics reference was Information Graphics by Robert L. Harris, which is a comprehensive encyclopedia of technical graphics. Thinking Visually will not replace that book, but will augment it because this book is more of a how-to and is focused on 14 basic diagrams that I find myself using in one variation or another in nearly every project. The book is divided into three parts: (1) Introduction to Diagramming, which is among the best descriptions of diagramming and how to approach it that I've had the pleasure of reading; (2) APplying the Core Diagrams, and (3) Introduction to Diagramming, which is an extension of Part 1 that wraps up the book with excellent advice.

Part 2 is the heart of the book. The core Diagrams are divided into six groups: (1) MAPPING THE BUSINESS (System Maps, Mind Maps), (2) RELATIONSHIP AND INFLUENCE (Relationship, Tree, Influence), (3) CONTROL IN BUSINESS (Input/Output, Control), (4) CAUSATION (Multiple Cause, Fishbone [also called Ishikawa], Sign), (5) CHANGE (Force-field, Window), (6) FLOW (Flow, Ring).

Many of the diagrams have multiple instances. For example, flow diagrams can take the form of flow process, blocks, algorithms (flow charts) or network diagrams. Likewise, window diagrams take on many different forms, including strength/weakness/opportunity/threat (SWOT), quad matrices (such as the "Boston Matrix"). This extends the 14 core diagrams into many more because of the variations, with all of the major ones discussed in this book.

What I especially like is the way the author presents each diagram: overview of the diagram, business application, business purpose and summary and conventions. When variations are discussed, such as a critical path network diagram derived from a flow, the same treatment is given.

As I read through this book familiarizing myself with these basic tools I discovered that my primary software tool, Visio, contained stencil sets for many of these diagrams, including Mind Mapping, SWOT Fishbone and many more. I also liked the final part of the book because it contains valuable advice on managing information with the core diagrams - especially developing diagrams that convey information instead of resulting in information overload. The chapter on diagramming theory and some of its pitfalls was also excellent. Finally, Appendices A and B, only two pages, are incredibly useful because they map the core diagrams to themes (Appendix A) and to management activity (Appendix B). These make selecting the right tool for the right job easy, and their inclusion is a nice touch of added value.

I cannot praise this book highly enough. It has quickly become one of my most valuable tools and has also enlightened me on a number of issues and factors related to effectively selecting and using diagrams. It merits 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: Good diagrams for business discussions
Review: I was searching for a good framework for problem solving and decided to get this book. Content-wise the author has much to cover with 14 core diagrams. He has categorised all this 14 diagrams under several business themes such as: Managing Change, Control, Relationships, Managing Flow etc etc.

I really like the Influence Diagram as it provides a fresh perspective to a Strategic Project I handled before.

However the publisher seems to like really long paragraphs with little spacing. The published date is 2000 but I feel this style of writing was more to early 1800s where TV has yet to be invented.

Hope the author would try to upgrade and review the content with perhaps a different publisher. There is another similiar book of this nature which is the "The Thinker's Toolkit". Happy Diagramming.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference to graphical representation
Review: This is an excellent book of templates for graphical visulization of complex information. I think that this book belongs right on the bookshelf of anyone who uses line graphics for research and business...right next to Tufte's classics. Highly recommended.