Strategic planning expert William Rouse cuts to the heart of the most common causes of failed business plans and strategies and shows how to overcome them. He encourages strategic thinkers and planners to spend much more time analyzing a situation instead of jumping to ready solutions. The tone is tongue-in-cheek, but the keen observations and sage advice Rouse offers aptly address a serious subject. It's a fast-track primer in critical thinking and evaluation planners and managers at every level can use to approach their work more effectively.

WILLIAM B. ROUSE is chief executive officer of Enterprise Support Systems, an Atlanta-based software company that produces a wide range of software systems and tools. An educator and author of several books--including Start Where You Are (Jossey-Bass, 1996)--he is also an experienced consultant who helps companies develop and implement strategic plans. He lives in Dunwoody, Georgia.