Setting the PACE in Product Development, A Guide to Product and Cycle-time Excellence

Author: Michael E. McGrath
List Price: $28.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 075069789X
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann (31 July, 1996)
Sales Rank: 50,163
Average Customer Rating: 2.86 out of 5

Customer Reviews

Rating: 1 out of 5
Even as an ad it is not very good
This is nothing more than a rehashing of some very old concepts cleverly disguised(or so the author thinks) in a bunch of vague terminology. As a book it lacks substance. As an ad for the author's consulting service it doesn't offer enough too make anyone, with any knowledge or experience in this area, want to hire them. But if you are easily impressed by high-sounding terms and promises of speed to market and lots of savings, etc...then this book and many others like it, is for you. If you're looking for a real solution for designing better products, faster - look elsewhere.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Ship on time and under budget
If you've ever wondered why some companies seem to be able to get products out the door reliably and others end up having constant battles between sales, marketing and engineering, this book will help clarify the situation. Not only is building great product on time and on schedule possible, it's a repeatable process. Even if you don't buy into the entire process of PACE (Product And Cycle-Time Excellence) you can still benefit from some of the concepts around a core team to encourage better communications at each stage of development.

Rating: 5 out of 5
One of the best Product Development books that I have read
In the last few years I must have read around 30 or more books on Product Development (OK!!! to keep track of what is going on is part of my job! :), from old authors from the 70Ā's (Jones) to more recent books. In my opnion, "Setting Pace.." is very clear, very consistent, and provides a VERY good understanding of the nature of Product Develoment in industrial, manufacturing oriented businesses. Nevertheless, I donĀ't know whether or not this book is good for software development. From the reviews bellow, it appears not to be the case.

In any case, and if your business is not software, it is a MUST READ to any Manager or Director involved with the in NPD. Just donĀ't expect the book (or worse, external consultants) to do YOUR job of improving YOUR PD process for you. It doesnĀ't exist! Furthermore, one book does not bring all of the solutions. Look around. Read other books. Talk to people. Visit other companies. See how they are doing! Make your mind BEFORE engaging in a PD reengineering project.

Claudiano, Ph.D....

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