ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Culture changes only after you have successfully altered people’s actions, after the new behavior produces some group benefit for a period of time.

—John P. Kotter
Leading Change

Many have helped to put this book together and make it readable and worthy, not least the folks at Management Concepts who encouraged its writing and followed its progress.

Many project and business professionals were kind enough to be on the “beta reading team” and slog through the early manuscript, offering their opinions and advice—a “frank exchange of views,” as they say in some quarters. First was my longtime friend and associate Steve McBrayer, CFO of a private equity–owned firm, who gave me critical insight into a finance guy’s view of the project business case and allocation of capital to best-value projects. Second, a friend of nearly 30 years, Terry Casto, a systems guy and strategic thinker with whom I have shared many “red team” reviews of the work of other authors, gave me his unvarnished critique, as I knew he would. Terry’s comments really served to improve many themes in the book.

Many others also gave their time and energy to this project: project manager Jeanine Wernecke took on four chapters and provided insightful comments that I’ve incorporated. Arlene Piscopo likewise read some of the early material—no easy job—and was very helpful with her comments, as was Mike Palm, who helped with the logic and distribution of some of the content. I am indebted to Dennis Hodge and Julia Restrepo for their review of Chapter 9 as well other chapters that they were willing to read and critique. And Lewis Laing gave this endeavor his time and effort, giving me many useful suggestions.

I am indebted to Dr. Joseph Mitola III for his insights into game theory, which have been incorporated into that discussion. And I always consult with my favorite statistician and college professor, Dr. Pat Bond, whenever I have to explain the mysteries of statistics. As always, Pat was at the ready to lend a hand.

To these ladies and gentlemen, I say thank you!