Are Your Lights On?: How to Figure Out What the Problem Really Is

This book is a gift that keeps on giving. I have read it twice and I am working on my third read-through, and I am seeing new insights that I didn't see the first two times I read it. The book does not contain specific advice for specific situations. However, when dealing with ambiguity and nuance, this book provides new of ways of looking the problem that you might have otherwise passed over.

This book is good at reminding us not just to solve the problem logically, but to put it into a context of an organization (any interrelation with people). Who has the problem? Does he want the problem to be solved? What is the problem (as in example with toy factory)? If you are not you, but someone else, what would you do? These questions are, although common sense, were not at all obvious to me before reading this book. I give 3 stars for 2 reasons: 1) The problems in the book could be stated in a more realistic fashion, so that one would have a solid interest in giving it a try to solve on his own 2) Make main statements less ambiguous I give one additional star for the fact that I haven't seen any other book of this kind. George Polya wrote a wonderful book on problem-solving. His focus is on mathematics, but can be applied as a guide to any thought process. He also stresses the need to clearly understand the problem by asking yourself questions, like: "What is the unknown?, "What are the data?", "What is the condition?". He goes further into showing methods of finding a solution, devising a plan and drawing lessons from solved problems. This book also gives a chance to practice with easy mathematically, but nevertheless not standard puzzles in the end of the book.

If you read this book five times the meaning of life will become clear to you! I have purchased many copies of this book and shared them with colleagues that have all sorts of problems. One person with a Ph.D. read it twice and refused to read it again and did not get it. All others got the message. Some after three times of reading. some after four. It took me five times to understand the underlying message. I almost have a Ph.D. Oh, it is fun after dinner reading from two of my heros.

I manage a team of business systems analysts whose job it is to solve problems. No, not the problem as stated by the user, but the underlying problem that is often unseen. And to find the solution that was never obvious. That's where this book excels. It does not teach problem solving, it is not a heavy read, it offers no formal methodology. Instead, it uses many humorous and thoughtful examples to involve the reader in thinking about the real, unstated, problem or opportunity. This is one of those rare books that you can read again and again.

Ancient examples, makes it a little less relatable. Concept is good, but the content and examples, not so good

If you understand the title of this review, then you don't need to read the book. The book is organized around chasing one silly solution after another to a problem that is finally solved by saying someone else should have fixed it in the first place. The implication being that had you been smart enough to make a phone call to the repair man, lots of grief would have been saved. Very simplistic and certainly not worth my time or money.

I work with problem solving methodologies and I expected to see something new when I bought this book. I must admit that its logical but I didn't identify the added value of its information.

To often it's easy to get into problem solving mode once a problem has presented itself. This book shows you to take a step back and consider what the problem really is and who's having the problem. Often you'll find that a problem is not just a single problem but multiple problems which each may require multiple solutions. It's a quick and entertaining read that would change how you will approach problem solving in the future.

very good book

„Are Your Lights On?“ ist für mich als Ingenieurwesen-Student ein sehr hilfreiches Buch, das mich auf eine neue Art an das Thema Problemlösung und Softwareentwicklung herangeführt hat. Es zeigt, wie wichtig es ist, die wahren Anforderungen und Hintergründe eines Problems zu verstehen, bevor man einfach losprogrammiert oder eine Lösung sucht. Das hat mir besonders bei Projektarbeiten und Programmieraufgaben im Studium geholfen, effizienter und zielgerichteter zu arbeiten.Das Buch ist dabei sehr praxisnah und verständlich geschrieben. Es regt dazu an, über den Tellerrand hinauszudenken und die Dinge aus verschiedenen Perspektiven zu betrachten. Für jemanden, der wie ich oft an komplexen technischen Aufgaben sitzt, ist das eine wertvolle Ergänzung zu den klassischen Informatik- oder Ingenieurbüchern.Ich kann das Buch jedem empfehlen, der seine Herangehensweise an Probleme verbessern und wirklich verstehen möchte, wie gute Softwarelösungen entstehen. Es hat mein Denken im Studium deutlich weitergebracht.

Der Titel hat mich eigentlich nicht angesprochen aber wegen der Inhaltsangabe habe ich es trotzdem gekauft. Der Inhalt ist sehr humorvoll manchmal witzig dargestellt und man trifft so einiges an Lebensweisheiten adrett verpackt und stringent im Zusammenhang dargestellt.

Wer im Testing Umfeld arbeitet, kommt an Weinberg nicht vorbei. Und das ist auch gut so. Das Wissen, was in den über 30 Büchern steckt, die Jerry zu unterschiedlichsten Themengebieten geschrieben hat, ist immer noch aktuell und faszinierend.