Looking for Quality/Mfg. books that read like novels

[Jgryn]

Hello everyone: I would like to put together a list of books that read like novels / stories and are about Quality / Mfg. Very good books based on true cases would be great as well.

The only examples I can think of right now are the books by E.M. Goldratt (The Goal, Critical Chain) though I know I used to have a book that had great example stories, one for each chapter on how some company overcame something using certain quality concepts and tools.

As much as I love my profession reading a quality text book can be akin to taking a couple sleeping pills. I would like to share these books with Supervisors, Engineers, logistics, even finance.

Cheers and Thanks! If I put a list together of the posts I'll post it here to share with everyone.

Jen

[Rachel]

I know our plant manager bought a book (and the accompanying books-on-CD) called "Fast Track to Waste-Free Manufacturing"...I don't know if this is close enough to quality for you or not. It's primarily about lean, but if I remember correctly there's some good quality info in it as well.

There's also a line of books (probably better suited) by "Productivity Press" - they are not necessarily novel-style, but are quick and easy reads - you don't even have time to fall asleep. There's one for poka-yoke, one for 5S (6C, whatever you want to call it)...there are a few. Google "productivity press" and you may find them....

Hope this helps.

[Rachel]

http://www.productivitypress.com

[Jgryn]

Thanks Rachel: I went there and found this book. Has anyone read it?

Andy & Me: Crisis and Transformation on the Lean Journey
Author: Pascal Dennis
Product Code: 2989
ISBN: 1-56327-298-9
Publisher: Productivity Press
Published: 2005
Pages: 192
Binding Information: Paperback
Availability: In Stock.
Price: $19.95
Qty:


Based on the author's personal experience with Toyota senseis and with companies in the midst of great change, Andy & Me is a business novel set in a failing New Jersey auto plant focusing on the tribulations of Tom Pappas, the plant manager. The situations, characters and plant "politics" will ring true with many readers.

In a cool, readable style, Andy & Me follows Tom's relationship with Andy Saito, a reclusive, retired Toyota guru whom Tom persuades to help save his plant through the "teaching" of legendary Toyota Production System (TPS).

On this journey, the reader learns that TPS is more than just a collection of tools; it entails a new way of thinking and behaving. Though Tom finds success — both in his plant and in his personal life — he learns from Andy that successful improvement is "endless and eternal."

[Ron Rompen]

There's a couple that come to mind that relate (at least somewhat) to quality and quality management:

'The Quest'
'Zap: The power of empowerment'
'The Tao of Pooh'

[QChas]

One of my favorites is an oldie but goodie ..... "The Goal"

[qualitygoddess]

I recommend:

Six Sigma for Managers by Greg Brue
Design for Six Sigma by Greg Brue (and someone else)
Beyond Six Sigma by Ron Basu and N. Wright

The Six Sigma book is a bit technical, but very easy to read. YOu can actually get a lot out of reading just the boxed off highlights that appear every couple of pages.

--QG

[David Hartman]

One of my favorites in today's ever changing environment is: Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, Kenneth H. Blanchard.

In-fact I'm (as a new guy on the block in a faciltiy that had NO quality leadership previously) ordering this one for one of my lead inspectors who is struggling with change. Not that she objects to the changes, but she feels insecure and unsure of herself moving into previously unchartered waters.