History is littered with the bones of institutions killed by change, either because they let events run over them, or because they misjudged what was happening to them. When you look closely at those institutions that have changed successfully, it is often clear that somewhere, somehow, somebody did their homework. That s the subject of this book: how to do your homework in a way that both motivates and informs rational institutional change. (From the Foreword) This book will teach you how to tackle an important problem, get it right, and make a difference. Here's what you'll learn: - The attributes of mind needed to get it right. - What you need to know and do as a team leader. - How to determine the resources your team will need. - How to uncover the things that may bite you, before they bite. - The kind of infrastructure that supports effective teams. - How to plan your work and track progress. - Organized ways to cut through today's ocean of misinformation, disinformation, and spin and arrive at the truth. - A structured method for deciding what change must happen. - How to capture your results in an effective, readable document. - How to give presentations that will carry the day. Plus you get almost a hundred references to useful books, articles, and Web pages. This book is not based on academic theory or pop psychology. It is based on almost 50 years of experience in the trenches of high technology and embodies the lessons I learned the hard way, from victories and defeats, elation and heartache, success and failure. If it were a college course it would be called "Real World 101."