Map Index : Management Framework to Reframe Best Practices

This book provides an arsenal of Tools for management practitioners to assess a business situation, and use the appropriate tools to handle the situation and take quick actions in the right direction.The author has thoughtfully developed the ‘MAP Index’ framework for cultivating, managing and nurturing Business Best Practices. The framework highlights the need for developing a set of ‘Best Practices’ and the right organizational culture that allows for creative and innovative adjustments and improvements to the best practices.Practical, flexible and vibrant in its approach, the Framework draws the best from the different existing Management Frameworks such as TQM, BSC, BEM, TOC, CMM while emphasizing on the need for the best practices to be adapted and adjusted to new situations, so that the organization retains its competitive advantage.Listing below some more of my observations on the book1. The reader is introduced to a broad spectrum of management concepts, models and frameworks. Each management concept is well explained. Differences between terms like Creative Thinking vs Critical Thinking vs Design Thinking, Creativity vs Innovation, Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset, Machine Learning vs Deep Learning are highlighted and explained.2. The book talks about the Art and Science of Management, giving the readers a perspective to the rational as well as the creative and imaginative aspects of management. For example, it highlights the importance of Data Science in using data to uncover hidden insights as well as the immense role of the art of Data Storytelling in setting the business narrative.3. The flow and sequencing of the chapters along with a lucid narration makes the book an easy read.4. The book elaborates on the application of the framework to the Healthcare and Education Sectors. It would be great if the subsequent edition also demonstrates the applicability of the framework to different other industry verticals.I would highly recommend the book to management practitioners, Business Process Re-engineering consultants, and management students for a holistic understanding of different management models, and management practices that set the direction for growth.

MAP INDEX is as perfect as a book, refresher, reference guide as you’ll read all year and it addresses the needs of a wide array of audience- students, working professionals, consultants, and academicians. The author has taken a very balanced approach to theory and practicality and clearly brings to bear the practitioners view backed by conceptual clarity.THINKING ABOUT THINKING !!- META be it a META decision making, META learning, META thinking is an important concept ignored in the education system. There is no formal teaching or learning that we do in how to think and how to make those decisions. Author clearly states that thinking can be TRAINED.Author has not only beautifully written but cleverly drawn metaphors (Maps, poetry, stock index, art) and relevant quotes (I liked the Charlie Munger one on mental models!!)A well-researched book (refer to the bibliography!!), so layered, structured so full of depth that the most hackneyed term such as best practices /leading practices have been described very well.Personally, I really enjoyed the mental models’ chapter and how the author stresses on inter-disciplinary thinking to harness the latent potential in the processes, practices, and models.The chapters 1 through 6 talks about the concepts, fundamentals of problem framing, thinking, decision making, mental models and leading up to the CRUX of the book – MAP INDEX. He has described what, Why and How of the MAP INDEX with enormous conceptual clarity and this where the rubber hits the road, and you see phenomenal value of the author/consultant/thought leader/thinker in Nihar Ranjan Pradhan.Looking forward to MAP INDEX 2.0.Best Wishes

MAP INDEX #mapindex makes you reread as it gets better every time and becomes a great reference.This book is well structured as you can expect, considering its core theme is “building the most effective and pragmatic approach/framework” on systematically addressing, reframing BEST PRACTICES across the Industry rows/columns.The first 200 odd pages provide a great foundation building block that requires hyperfocus and enables one to Master the concepts .Please spend time here .The next 100 odd pages goes a step further deep diving on the HOW, to apply these concepts in unison with MAP INDEXIt strives to deliver the HOW part which is the core theme for effectiveness and usability on HOW to carry the Best practices to the next level as things around us change to “Next practices” keeping Perceptual Acuity in mind for long-term sustainable executionsIt serves as a good tool for critical thinking with the 5H and 1W pattern covered all through the book.Lindy effect has a big impact on best practices and org changes.Believe #mapindex can be a great tool to counter it by addressing entropy in organization and enabling successful Enterprise transformations .Last but not the least, please do not miss the wealth of information in the last few pages in the form of templates and the references.

If you want to learn more on management framework, learn to adopt them in your org and to best leverage the best practices, this book is worth every penny. A very well researched book, fluid style and very interesting metaphors. A very good reading for anyone in the management/consulting field. After you have read it, please keep it handy. It will serve as a refresher and reference for you.