Praise for Solvable
‘Central to business is problem solving, and the types of problems businesses face are increasingly complex and ill defined. To solve problems, we increasingly need therefore to think explicitly about the problem of how to best solve the problem and to hone our problem solving skills. The authors provide an accessible and pragmatic framework for doing so, covering the whole cycle of solving problems including framing, assessing, deciding, engaging, and implementing. It will be a welcome addition to any manager’s armoury.’
Martin Reeves, Chairman, BCG Henderson Institute
‘Solvable is an evidence-based guide to making good decisions. In an uncertain world, the essence of good decision making is informed reflection. This book walks the reader through the process of reflection – thinking about how we think about decisions, what to pay attention to, and how to bring the necessary resources together in doing so. Step by step, it lays out evidence-based processes for scoping the decision (and the problem to be solved), gathering information, making the decision and acting on it. Full of examples showing the good, the bad, and the ugly in modern decision making, Solvable builds the decision maker’s confidence and competence. I am singing its praises to my students and colleagues!’
Denise M. Rousseau, H. J. Heinz II University Professor of Organizational Behavior and Public Policy; Director, Project on Evidence-based Organizational Practices, Heinz College and Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University
‘Every manager strives to make good decisions for the organisation—yet, all too often biases, false assumptions or oversimplifications hamper their ability to do just that! By drawing on scientific insights and their vast personal experience, Chevallier and Enders guide you through three main steps (frame, explore, decide) that are indispensable for solving complex problems. In short: A ‘must read’ for current and aspiring managers!’
Marc Gruber, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Technology Commercialization, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
‘In Solvable Albrecht and Arnaud provide a useful and straightforward framework for approaching complex problem solving, whether in business or more broadly in life. But the real added value for me, as is so often the case for great business books, are the real-world examples from corporations, governments and individuals around the world, struggling as they face urgent, complex challenges. Nothing makes a lesson clearer than a great example of how it wasn’t applied. Recommended.’
lan Charles Stewart, Co-Founder, Wired Magazine
‘Strong problem-solving capabilities are essential, especially when you confront complex problems that have a profound and long-lasting impact on your organisations. Solvable provides a thorough-yet-accessible approach to help you elevate your complex problem-solving game.’
Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, Executive Chairman, Lego Brand Group
‘Solvable is a brilliant book: hands-on, humorous, deeply researched, well written, and stuffed to the brim with memorable stories and real-world cases. Read this if you want to become a world-class problem solver at work and in life.’
Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, author of What’s Your Problem and Innovation as Usual, Harvard Business Review Press
‘Whether deciding on a career path or inventing a new medical technology, people are searching for, engaging in, and solving complex and ill-defined problems during most of their waking lives. With the goal of moving people toward a better problem space more often (and away from suboptimal distractions), the authors present a systematic approach to the broad problem-solving process, masterfully engaging readers with their accessible writing, clear examples, and scientific support. This book stands to have wide appeal to anyone engaging with real-world problems: innovators and investors, employees and educators, scientists and students.’
Fred Oswald, PhD, Professor and Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University
‘The authors simplify the massive research literature on flaws in human judgement but they don’t over-simplify it. The result is a superb practical guide for improving our problem-solving and decision-making skills in everyday life.’
Philip Tetlock, Annenberg University Professor, University of Pennsylvania
‘Solvable is a valuable guide to making good decisions in situations of high complexity. Using many fascinating and entertaining examples, Chevallier and Enders offer useful guides for organising thought and triggering insight. Their metaphor of the Hero and Dragon is an artful way of describing the value of focusing on the crux of a challenge.’
Richard Rumelt, Professor Emeritus, UCLA Anderson School of Management, and author of Good Strategy/Bad Strategy
‘The world changed, almost overnight. For good, not just for a year or two. There is nobody you can call to reverse it. That’s when you need a lot more than a forecast. You need options, criteria and choices for the new world. Read the book.’
Jouko Karvinen, Chairman of the Board, Finnair
‘While I believe the book can be very practical for everyday management as it provides tools and support for effective, impactful and long-lasting, problem solving, it is very useful for developing leaders with an open and transformational mindset for their organisation. From smart answers to uncovering questions starting with a why or a how, this book helps leaders with the language, the tone and the posture they take so their organisation develops the muscle of solving problems, transforming the unacceptable of today into a breakthrough of tomorrow.’