When it comes to solving complex problems, we often perform elaborate rituals in the guise of best practices that promise a world of order, certainty, and control. But reality paints a far different picture, which practitioners are often reluctant to discuss.

A witty yet rigorous journey through the seedy underbelly of organisational problem solving, The Heretic's Guide to Best Practices pinpoints the reasons why best practices don't work as advertised and what can be done about it.

"Hugely enjoyable, deeply reflective, and intensely practical. This book is about...

Management techniques such as strategic planning, project management or operational budgeting, attempt to reduce ambiguity and provide clarity. It is one of the great ironies of modern corporate life that they often end up doing the opposite: increasing ambiguity rather than reducing it.

It is easy enough to understand why: organizations are complex entities and it is unreasonable to expect management models, such as those that fit neatly into a 2*2 matrix or a predetermined checklist, to work in the real world. Indeed, expecting them to work as advertised is akin to colouring a...

This book describes how to establish data science and analytics capabilities in organisations using emergent design, an evolutionary approach that increases the chances of successful outcomes while minimising upfront investment.

This book describes how to establish data science and analytics capabilities in organisations using emergent design, an evolutionary approach that increases the chances of successful outcomes while minimising upfront investment.