Practical Management Science (with CD-ROM, Decision Tools and Stat Tools Suite, and Microsoft Project 2003 120 Day Version)

1. As a self-study text for someone learning / relearning management science in a spreadsheet environment, you'll find PMSc written with obvious and utter mastery of the subject matter, that's commendable but hardly unique. What is unique are the clarity of the presentation and the lucidity of the abundant examples running throughout. In addition, there is thoroughness in the treatment which effectively anticipates virtually any and all sources of confusion which a student of any stripe might suffer. It is, in my view, wholly autodidactic. There is a subset of this type of user: the individual with a job-specific task which defies current familiarity / skill-level. No sweat! Use the inside-the-front cover material as a functional area task locator to identify "look-alike" situations and then proceed to master all which is required by back-tracing the example to similar situations encapsulated within the many interspersed problems -- for each of which there is a complete Excel solution format.

2. As a management science student's self-help resource with which to cope and to decipher whatever cryptic text was assigned for the course. If you find yourself in this far too common dilemma, take heart, help is well and truly at hand. Skim the TOC, find the relevant chapter and enjoy basking in your fast-welling, new-found competence. PMSc will provide ample basis for warranting a celebration at the local "pub" -- or whatever passes for same in your locale.

3. "As a conventional textbook to be chosen by an academic for classroom use" was the category into which I "fell." To my dismay, I recently found myself assigned, on extremely short notice, to teach a comprehensive course on MS/OR. I found our standard two-volume text decidedly off-putting and could only conclude that my students would likely as well. As my background includes accounting, finance, and computer systems, I knew that I wanted a spreadsheet-based textbook for the course. As at most schools, MS is under fire for "relevance" and "accessibility," compounded here through the "mix" of students for my various sections: MBA, EMBA, and MS/MOT (latter all engineering degreed).

Suffice it to say that the classes proved complete successes: the students petitioned the Dean to have an advanced management science course added to the curriculum which I'm teaching this (fall '98) semester. In addition to covering the chapters / chapter sections omitted from the "introductory" course, we're using PMSc as the primary text with Bodily, Carraway, et al's excellent QBA case book for facilitating the integration of MS with finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.

As a sidebar: Most of my MBA students were from one of our "dedicated" MBA programs. These manager / students have apparently provided many of their subordinates with copies of PMSc. Their experience had regularly been that they were using on Monday the material I had "taught" them on Saturday.

As if this weren't enough praise, I'm using PMSc as a supplemental text in my finance courses because of its lucid and extensive coverage of @RISK and for the extensive finance material provided. This is proving extremely popular with my students.

As you might infer, I think that PMSc is without peer as the best and most effective text for learning how to actually perform REAL management science without tears or undue ancillary learning. I've yet to have a student who was not wildly enthusiastic about PMSc (that's not hyperbole) -- when's the last time you've had THAT experience?

I'd be happy to hear from anyone buying this text -- I really WANT to hear from anyone buying this text who is less than completely satisfied.


This book is the best of the bunch   January 27, 1999
drcordova@yahoo.com (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful

I began using this book when I was a part time lecturer while working on my Ph.D. Now that I'm an Assistant Professor I get a chance to review most of the new books that deal with OR/MS. It is surprising that none of those can even come close to the quality of this book. What I enjoy most about it is the amazing clarity with which it explains concepts that would usually force students to run to the hills. In addition, its extensive use of spreadsheets helps the teacher to present the material in a more practical way. Without reservation I recommend it to anyone teaching an OR/MS course at an undergraduate (or even MBA) level.


Master Modeling employing Excel   September 24, 2005
Flavio Cipparrone (Sao Paulo, Brasil)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book focuses on several management science modeling problems and explains clearly how to implement them with Excel.

Winston teaches you how to employ standards (colors, borders, etc) to make your spreadsheet more professional. You will learn much about Excel even if you are not interested in management science models.

Contrary to Optimization and Operations Research books, it does not worry about algorithm details, being directed mainly to develop the student modeling skills.

And as a friend told me "I guess anything by this author is worth the money"

Then, if your goal is to find a text that contains excel-based ways of solving managerial problems, and you are not concerned with solver details (simplex method, transport algorithms, nonlinear programming algorithms, interior point methods) this book is for you.

Another information: Chris Albright has a Modeling book directed to people that want to learn how to use VBA in modeling, that is, if you are a "want to be advanced" Excel user. He says that his VBA book is the natural next step to "Practical Management Science".



Very Pleased   August 12, 2000
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

I am a business unit manager who frequently purchases books and software to maintain my level of competence in operations management, and I recently purchased the second edition of this book, copyright 2001. I have found it to be a great value, and agree with the reviewers the earlier edition who found it to be a very fine text on Operations Research. It comes with the standard version of Palisade's Decision Tools software, which is just outstanding. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone. Additionally, there's an option to upgrade to a fully licensed edition of this software at a greatly reduced price; the student version that comes with the book is fully functional, but is only licensed one year for students, 30 days for professionals. Microsoft doesn't give their software away for free either.


Very practical and useful   February 19, 1998
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is among one of best text books I've come across in my undergraduate and graduate school learnings. The text is filled to the brim with real-world application of MS as well as helping you exercise dormant analytical skillsets. This text help shed light on how many companies are able to realize dramatic operating improvements through management science optimization techniques. Personally, I think the book is worth 2-3 times the selling price.