The following is list of a number of books that we recommend which serve as technical references for the improvement practitioner. Familiarity with the content of these books will help increase the knowledge and effectiveness of any improvement specialist.
Statistics
1. Handbook of Parametric and Nonparametric Statistical Procedures, 2nd Edition, 2000.
Author: David J. Sheskin
Publisher:Chapman and Hall/CRC Press
ISBN: 1-58488-133-X
Description: This is an EXCELLENT text covering virtually all statistical procedures for all types of data (measurement scales) and groups (dependent and independent). It starts at the very beginning and runs through Two-Way ANOVA procedures and includes a discussion of Post-Hoc analysis for ANOVA Models. This makes it a "MUST HAVE" reference book for statistical analysis.
Comments: Although this book is written from the perspective of the Behavioral Sciences, it is an excellent book nonetheless, and it is highly recommended. It is pricey, but well worth it!
Publisher:Chapman and Hall/CRC Press
ISBN: 1-58488-133-X
Description: This is an EXCELLENT text covering virtually all statistical procedures for all types of data (measurement scales) and groups (dependent and independent). It starts at the very beginning and runs through Two-Way ANOVA procedures and includes a discussion of Post-Hoc analysis for ANOVA Models. This makes it a "MUST HAVE" reference book for statistical analysis.
Comments: Although this book is written from the perspective of the Behavioral Sciences, it is an excellent book nonetheless, and it is highly recommended. It is pricey, but well worth it!
2. Statistics for Management, 7th Edition, 1998.
Author: Richard I. Levin and David S. Rubin
Publisher:Prentice Hall
ISBN: 0-13-476292-4
Description: This book was written with an emphasis on Business Applications and is filled with business examples and has numerous sample problems, self-check quizzes with answers and additional exercises. It too is an excellent book. Thus, it makes a meaningful addition to ones reference library.
Comments: The book may be in an edition later than the 7th edition referenced. In point of fact, any edition of this book is worth having. Check it out.
Publisher:Prentice Hall
ISBN: 0-13-476292-4
Description: This book was written with an emphasis on Business Applications and is filled with business examples and has numerous sample problems, self-check quizzes with answers and additional exercises. It too is an excellent book. Thus, it makes a meaningful addition to ones reference library.
Comments: The book may be in an edition later than the 7th edition referenced. In point of fact, any edition of this book is worth having. Check it out.
3. Statistics, 4th Edition, 1988.
Author: William L. Hayes
Publisher:Holt, Rinehart and Winston
ISBN: 0-03-002464-1
Description: This is the statisticians book on statistical procedures. It is very comprehensive and rather easy to follow. It is more theoretical that the other books listed in this section, but not beyond anyone serious about learning statistics. Previous editions, the 2nd edition in particular are excellent are worthy acquisitions if you are unable to put your hands on the 4th edition.
Comments: Earlier editions are entitled "Statistics for the Social Sciences", but don't be fooled, it is a comprehensive and detailed reference book.
Publisher:Holt, Rinehart and Winston
ISBN: 0-03-002464-1
Description: This is the statisticians book on statistical procedures. It is very comprehensive and rather easy to follow. It is more theoretical that the other books listed in this section, but not beyond anyone serious about learning statistics. Previous editions, the 2nd edition in particular are excellent are worthy acquisitions if you are unable to put your hands on the 4th edition.
Comments: Earlier editions are entitled "Statistics for the Social Sciences", but don't be fooled, it is a comprehensive and detailed reference book.
Experimental Design
4. Experimental Design: Procedures for the Social Sciences, 2nd Edition, 1982.
Author: Roger E. Kirk
Publisher:Brooks/Cole Publishing Company
ISBN: 0-8185-0286-X
Description: A renowned book on Experimental Design. It is complete and comprehensive, and is one of the most common reference books on experimental design. The serious researcher will have a well worn copy of this book on there resource shelf.
Comments: Don't let the title disuade you, this is an excellent resource book.
Publisher:Brooks/Cole Publishing Company
ISBN: 0-8185-0286-X
Description: A renowned book on Experimental Design. It is complete and comprehensive, and is one of the most common reference books on experimental design. The serious researcher will have a well worn copy of this book on there resource shelf.
Comments: Don't let the title disuade you, this is an excellent resource book.
5. Statistical Principles in Experimental Design, 2nd Edition, 1971.
Author: Benjamin J. Winer
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 07-070981-5
Description: An oldie, but a goodie. This is a second classic on experimental design for the behavioral scientist, but like other titles listed above, don't be fooled. This is a very widely used text on statistics and experimental design. This one is a little hard to fully absorb through self study, but is a valuable reference text.
Comments: There is a 3rd edition of this book available, and the authors are Benjamin J. Winer, Donald R. Brown and Kenneth M. Michels.
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 07-070981-5
Description: An oldie, but a goodie. This is a second classic on experimental design for the behavioral scientist, but like other titles listed above, don't be fooled. This is a very widely used text on statistics and experimental design. This one is a little hard to fully absorb through self study, but is a valuable reference text.
Comments: There is a 3rd edition of this book available, and the authors are Benjamin J. Winer, Donald R. Brown and Kenneth M. Michels.
6. Statistics for Experimenters: An Introduction to Design, Data Analysis, and Model Building, 1978.
Author: George E.P. Box, William G. Hunter and J. Stuart Hunter
Publisher:John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 0-471-09315-7
Description: This is the classic book on Design and Analysis for the researcher from the mathematical/statistical point of view. It is complete and comprehensive. One will be very well served by being familiar with its contents.
Comments: As just mentioned, this is a classic book. As such, it will most likely be obtained through "used books" sources.
Publisher:John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 0-471-09315-7
Description: This is the classic book on Design and Analysis for the researcher from the mathematical/statistical point of view. It is complete and comprehensive. One will be very well served by being familiar with its contents.
Comments: As just mentioned, this is a classic book. As such, it will most likely be obtained through "used books" sources.
7. Design of Experiments: A Realistic Approach, 1974.
Author: Virgil L. Anderson and Robert A McLean
Publisher:Marcel Dekker, Inc.
ISBN: 0-8247-6131-6
Description: This book is well known to industrial researchers and experimenters. It's examples are industrial in nature, and it is a little on the theoretical side, but apprehendable nonetheless.
Comments: The coverage of the topics in this book is broad and not very deep. One almost needs to have some knowledge of Experimental Design to benefit for the good things in this book.
Publisher:Marcel Dekker, Inc.
ISBN: 0-8247-6131-6
Description: This book is well known to industrial researchers and experimenters. It's examples are industrial in nature, and it is a little on the theoretical side, but apprehendable nonetheless.
Comments: The coverage of the topics in this book is broad and not very deep. One almost needs to have some knowledge of Experimental Design to benefit for the good things in this book.
8. Fundamental concepts in the Design of Experiments, 3rd Edition, 1982.
Author: Charles Robert Hicks
Publisher:Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc./Dryden Press
ISBN: 0-03-061706-5
Description: This book has wide coverage of the area of Experimental Design. One can acquire much of its content using a self-study approach. It is considerably smaller than most of the other books listed in this section, but packs a reasonable punch for its size.
Comments: If you are going to try to goose up your skills and pick up knowledge of Experimental Design, this is a good starter book. It is not as comprehensive as most of the other Experimental Design books in this section, but it is a good one.
Publisher:Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc./Dryden Press
ISBN: 0-03-061706-5
Description: This book has wide coverage of the area of Experimental Design. One can acquire much of its content using a self-study approach. It is considerably smaller than most of the other books listed in this section, but packs a reasonable punch for its size.
Comments: If you are going to try to goose up your skills and pick up knowledge of Experimental Design, this is a good starter book. It is not as comprehensive as most of the other Experimental Design books in this section, but it is a good one.
9. Design and Analysis of Experiments, 2nd Edition, 1984.
Author: Douglas C. Montgomery
Publisher:John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 0-471-86812-4
Description: In order to make the recommendations complete, I could not leave out Montgomery's book. It, like Hick's book is one that one can learn from in a self-study mode. It is comprehensive yet easy to follow. It has a good mix of theory and application. This may be the "best" I-don't-know-anything-about-Experimental-Design-yet, but-want-to-learn book in the list. Check it out.
Comments:
Publisher:John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 0-471-86812-4
Description: In order to make the recommendations complete, I could not leave out Montgomery's book. It, like Hick's book is one that one can learn from in a self-study mode. It is comprehensive yet easy to follow. It has a good mix of theory and application. This may be the "best" I-don't-know-anything-about-Experimental-Design-yet, but-want-to-learn book in the list. Check it out.
Comments:
Six Sigma
10. Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing The World's Top Corporations, 2000.
Author: Mikel Harry and Richart Schroeder
Publisher:Currency/Doubleday
ISBN: 0-385-49437-8
Description: This is the book by the founders (primary architects) of the Six Sigma Methodology written to the general business world, as opposed to the technical world. It is easy to read and puts creates the perspective, motivation and explanation of methodology of Six Sigma.
Comments: An easy to read and understand perspective for Six Sigma.
Publisher:Currency/Doubleday
ISBN: 0-385-49437-8
Description: This is the book by the founders (primary architects) of the Six Sigma Methodology written to the general business world, as opposed to the technical world. It is easy to read and puts creates the perspective, motivation and explanation of methodology of Six Sigma.
Comments: An easy to read and understand perspective for Six Sigma.
11. The Vision of Six Sigma, 1997.
Author: Mikel Harry
Publisher:Tri Star Publishing
ISBN: 0-9643555-7-4
Description: The set presents the technical aspects of Six Sigma, to include the Philosophy, Tools, Methodology, and Implementation and Control aspects of Six Sigma. It is for the technician, not the general business manager, although it is very readable and understandable.
Comments: This is an 8 volume box set.
Publisher:Tri Star Publishing
ISBN: 0-9643555-7-4
Description: The set presents the technical aspects of Six Sigma, to include the Philosophy, Tools, Methodology, and Implementation and Control aspects of Six Sigma. It is for the technician, not the general business manager, although it is very readable and understandable.
Comments: This is an 8 volume box set.
12. The Six Sigma Way: How GE, Motorola, and Other Top Companies Are Honing Their Performance, 2000.
Author: Peter S. Pande, Robert P. Neuman, and Roland r. Cavanagh
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-135806-4
Description: This is an excellent book on Six Sigma, what it is, how to implement it, what the tools are and how to use them, etc. The book was written after the Six Sigma Methodology had been well road tested. It is an understandable and comprehensive guide to Six Sigma and its implementation.
Comments: Well written and detailed without being wasteful of words or concepts.
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-135806-4
Description: This is an excellent book on Six Sigma, what it is, how to implement it, what the tools are and how to use them, etc. The book was written after the Six Sigma Methodology had been well road tested. It is an understandable and comprehensive guide to Six Sigma and its implementation.
Comments: Well written and detailed without being wasteful of words or concepts.
Lean
13. The Machine That Changed The World, 1990.
Author: James P. Womack, Daniel T. Jones, and Daniel Roos
Publisher:HarperPerennial/HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 0-06-097417-6
Description: This is the book that brought Lean to the attention of the world at large, in fact it is said that it was these authors in this book that even created the term "Lean" to describe or characterize the Toyota Production System which the book documents. Since it was the first, if one were to understand the history of modern-day Lean, one should begin with this book. It is easy to read, and rather compelling.
Comments: The book is filled with descriptions and data documenting performance. It is enjoyable and sobering.
Publisher:HarperPerennial/HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 0-06-097417-6
Description: This is the book that brought Lean to the attention of the world at large, in fact it is said that it was these authors in this book that even created the term "Lean" to describe or characterize the Toyota Production System which the book documents. Since it was the first, if one were to understand the history of modern-day Lean, one should begin with this book. It is easy to read, and rather compelling.
Comments: The book is filled with descriptions and data documenting performance. It is enjoyable and sobering.
14. Lean Thinking, 2003 Edition.
Author: James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones
Publisher:Free Press
ISBN: 0-7432-4927-5
Description: A revised and updated version of the 1996 book of the same title. This book incorporates the evolved/developed thinking concerning Lean from the authors who first researched and named Lean as an Methodology. It is easy to read and provides philosophical perspective as well as guidelines for taking action relative to lean.
Comments: A great presentation of lean. It is a necessary book to read if you want to understand lean.
Publisher:Free Press
ISBN: 0-7432-4927-5
Description: A revised and updated version of the 1996 book of the same title. This book incorporates the evolved/developed thinking concerning Lean from the authors who first researched and named Lean as an Methodology. It is easy to read and provides philosophical perspective as well as guidelines for taking action relative to lean.
Comments: A great presentation of lean. It is a necessary book to read if you want to understand lean.
15. Lean Solutions: How Companies and Customers Can Create Value and Wealth Together, 2005.
Author: James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones
Publisher:Free Press
ISBN: 0-7432-7778-3
Description: This is an extension of the previously described book. Its subtitle gives it away. It focuses on the Supplier-Producer-Customer value stream and expands lean concepts beyond the immediate factory or workplace and explains how the entire value stream can be "leaned out" for mutual benefit and profit for producers and suppliers.
Comments: More good stuff from the "founders" of lean, excluding, of course, the worldwide Toyota organization.
Publisher:Free Press
ISBN: 0-7432-7778-3
Description: This is an extension of the previously described book. Its subtitle gives it away. It focuses on the Supplier-Producer-Customer value stream and expands lean concepts beyond the immediate factory or workplace and explains how the entire value stream can be "leaned out" for mutual benefit and profit for producers and suppliers.
Comments: More good stuff from the "founders" of lean, excluding, of course, the worldwide Toyota organization.
Lean Six Sigma
16. What is Lean Six Sigma?, 2003.
Author: Michael L. George, David Rowlands, and Bill Kastle
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-142668-X
Description: This is a very small, short and well written book. It gives a wonderfully simple explanation of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. It can be read in a couple of hours and packs a big punch for its size. If you want the "nickel tour" or the "5-minute version" of Lean Six Sigma, this is the book!
Comments: This is where to start to understand Lean Six Sigma.
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-142668-X
Description: This is a very small, short and well written book. It gives a wonderfully simple explanation of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. It can be read in a couple of hours and packs a big punch for its size. If you want the "nickel tour" or the "5-minute version" of Lean Six Sigma, this is the book!
Comments: This is where to start to understand Lean Six Sigma.
17. Lean Six Sigma: Combining Six Sigma Quality with Lean Speed, 2002.
Author: Michael L. George
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-138521-5
Description: A comprehensive treatment of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma for Manufacturing. It shows how Lean and six Sigma methods complement and reinforce each other. It provides a detailed road map of implementation so you can start seeing results in short order. Filled with data, examples and encouragement.
Comments: Gives a full treatment of Lean and Six Sigma. A great book for the improvement technician.
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-138521-5
Description: A comprehensive treatment of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma for Manufacturing. It shows how Lean and six Sigma methods complement and reinforce each other. It provides a detailed road map of implementation so you can start seeing results in short order. Filled with data, examples and encouragement.
Comments: Gives a full treatment of Lean and Six Sigma. A great book for the improvement technician.
18. Lean Six Sigma for Service: How to Use Lean Speed and Six Sigma Quality to Improve Services and Transactions, 2003.
Author: Michael L. George
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-141821-0
Description: This book does for the Service and Transactional Industries what the previously described book does for Manufacturing. The book contains a number of diverse service/transactional examples (case studies) and provides guidelines for deployment in Service.
Comments: Comprehensive yet understandable. A MUST for service sector technicians.
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-141821-0
Description: This book does for the Service and Transactional Industries what the previously described book does for Manufacturing. The book contains a number of diverse service/transactional examples (case studies) and provides guidelines for deployment in Service.
Comments: Comprehensive yet understandable. A MUST for service sector technicians.
19. Lean Six Sigma Demystified, 2007.
Author: Jay Arthur
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-148650-X
Description: This book, by self proclamation, is a Self Teaching Guide. It is easy to read and understand. Has an easy going style and the concepts are readily grasped.
Comments: One negative: the book presents a lot of examples with data analysis using software (Excel add-ins) developed by the author. Unfortunately, the routine are not easy used or comprehensive, and in some cases, just plain wrong, statistically speaking. Furthermore, some of the graphic presentations in the book are not accurate relative to numeric summaries and in other cases the format of the graphics leaves a lot to be desired. Nonetheless, there are some really neat ideas and concepts in the book. It is definitely worth buying and reading, just don't be distracted by the questionable statistics.
Publisher:McGraw-Hill, Inc.
ISBN: 0-07-148650-X
Description: This book, by self proclamation, is a Self Teaching Guide. It is easy to read and understand. Has an easy going style and the concepts are readily grasped.
Comments: One negative: the book presents a lot of examples with data analysis using software (Excel add-ins) developed by the author. Unfortunately, the routine are not easy used or comprehensive, and in some cases, just plain wrong, statistically speaking. Furthermore, some of the graphic presentations in the book are not accurate relative to numeric summaries and in other cases the format of the graphics leaves a lot to be desired. Nonetheless, there are some really neat ideas and concepts in the book. It is definitely worth buying and reading, just don't be distracted by the questionable statistics.
20. Lean Six Sigma, 2007.
Author: Breakthrough Management Group and Neil DeCarlo
Publisher:Alpha Books/Penquin Group
ISBN: 978-1-59257-594-7
Description: This is an excellent book on the topic of Lean Six Sigma. It provides a comprehensive treatment of both Lean and Six Sigma at an Introductory to Intermediate level. It is rich with examples, data, guidelines, and aids for the user. The technical content is sound and the book is well written and is an easy read. It, in my opinion is a MUST READ if you want to understand and then begin practicing Lean Six Sigma. Get it, read it, do it, and benefit.
Comments: Laugh if you must, since this book is in the "The Complete Idiot's Guide To..." series of books. Yes, those soft covered orange beauties you find in all the book stores. Nonetheless this is a great book. In fact, Mikel Harry (the co-creator of Six Sigma) endorsed this book as follows: "Simple, elegant, and informative--this book is packed with everything you need to get started with Lean Six Sigma. There is no better primer on the subject!" I agree fully with Mikel Harry regarding this book. Again, get it, read it and benefit.
Publisher:Alpha Books/Penquin Group
ISBN: 978-1-59257-594-7
Description: This is an excellent book on the topic of Lean Six Sigma. It provides a comprehensive treatment of both Lean and Six Sigma at an Introductory to Intermediate level. It is rich with examples, data, guidelines, and aids for the user. The technical content is sound and the book is well written and is an easy read. It, in my opinion is a MUST READ if you want to understand and then begin practicing Lean Six Sigma. Get it, read it, do it, and benefit.
Comments: Laugh if you must, since this book is in the "The Complete Idiot's Guide To..." series of books. Yes, those soft covered orange beauties you find in all the book stores. Nonetheless this is a great book. In fact, Mikel Harry (the co-creator of Six Sigma) endorsed this book as follows: "Simple, elegant, and informative--this book is packed with everything you need to get started with Lean Six Sigma. There is no better primer on the subject!" I agree fully with Mikel Harry regarding this book. Again, get it, read it and benefit.
