Book Reviews

Time Out

By Wayne Smith

Reviewed by Steve Buchwald, CIRM

John Wiley and Sons published the book in 1998. Smith set out to write a book that describes the process of using visible pull systems to drive process improvement. He gained the experience and expertise to write this book while working at DuPont.

The book is a well-organized book presented in five logical, carefully structured segments. Smith takes us step-by-step through the entire Visible Pull process, including: Making the Decision, Organization and Metrics, Assessing and Planning, Pull Systems, and Visible Management and Continuous Improvement. However, I do have two negative observations about this book. First, I was disappointed that the book was not better written. I'm not saying that this is a poor book because it isn't. I'm only suggesting that it could have been better written. Second, I was disappointed in all the time the author took in developing the book. The real first in-depth discussion on pull doesn't begin until page 173.

However, you ought to read this book anyway. This is a well-organized book, with a section for self-evaluation to be sure this concept is right for your environment. It explains how to identify and assess opportunities for improvement and how then to choose the appropriate tools. It builds on Wayne Smith's 30 years of hands on experiences and tells you how to anticipate and avoid obstacles. It is replete with examples drawn from experience. Each section ends with a discussion on, "How will you know when you are done." The mathematical discussions are not too complex. The last chapter on benchmarks gives you an opportunity to constantly gauge your progress. You will be able to use the development cycle characteristics to determine if you are evolving or in continuous improvement. It will get you and your team thinking and while it is not a map to the buried treasure it certainly is a good compass. Finally, this book includes a full range of simulation techniques, as well as detailed methods, which when used in a "conscientiously applied program of professional care" can help an enterprise realize unprecedented opportunity for breakthrough improvement.

Until next time then let me say, "good reading".