The reengineering handbook : a step-by-step guide to business transformation /

Reengineering is red hot as a management strategy to raise competitiveness and performance. Considering that so many projects with such intent fail, this work by two consultants is especially welcome because it walks the reader through a complete approach. In a nutshell, reengineering differs from "downsizing," "restructuring," and other incremental techniques by seeking radical change utilizing both human and technical solutions and ranging across all strategic, value-adding activities from supplier to customer. Manganelli and Klein call their methodology for business process reengineering "Rapid Re" because it expedites substantive results. It consists of five stages (preparation, identification, vision, solution, and transformation) and 54 steps. In each stage, tasks are sequenced with known management techniques that can accomplish them. A composite of the authors' experience ("ABC Toy Company") is made into a running case study, taking up about one-sixth of the text and closely supporting the general presentation in words and diagrams. Marvelous how-to detail adds to the dilemma of endorsing this thoroughly professional work for students. This exemplary demonstration of the need for enterprises to become more competitive is cautiously recommended to sophisticated students as a fine window on the reality of today's demanding business environment. Upper-division undergraduate through professional. J. C. Thompson; University of Connecticut

Reengineering has emerged as the foremost business improvement technique of this decade. Manganelli and Klein, the CEO and managing director of a reengineering consulting firm, respectively, cover the specific processes for managers to follow in order to reengineer their companies successfully. Their technique, which they call Rapid Remethodology, is a five-stage program, and each section of the book includes directions, checklists, and examples to use while proceeding through the stages. Designed for use by all types of businesses and for managers at different levels, this work includes lists of resources as well as suggestions drawn from companies that have successfully completed the process. It will be useful to managers interested in reengineering, though Michael Hammer and James Champy's Reengineering the Corporation (HarperBusiness, 1993) gives a more thorough background.-Gary W. White, Pennsylvania State Univ., Harrisburg (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.