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Title:
Making Search Work
Review:
"Making Search Work" by Martin White is a well thought-out, well- researched read for any IT professional looking to handle enterprise searches more effectively.
Making Search WorkThe jargon, terms and language used are appropriate for IT professionals. The author has done a superb job of conveying the information in an understandable fashion and putting things in perspective for non-IT persons among us as well.
Having read the book, the title seemed a little misleading. It would have been more appropriate if it had been titled "Making Intranet Searches Work" or "Making Enterprise Searches Work". This is not to undermine the content of the book in any way. It has all the requisites for organisations to understand the magnitude of what the author is suggesting.
It requires a visionary organisation to be able to understand the depth and breadth of what it takes to make searches within organisations more effective. It also requires a strategic organisation to be able to plan, manage, orchestrate and implement a robust search engine to meet the growing needs of an organisation. This book is informative, and as I was reading it I was left wondering if any organisation would take advantage of the foresight that the author has so shared so diligently.
IT functions within an organisation these days seem to be focused on meeting the immediate, day-to-day operational requirements of the organisation, while the chief executives are looking to outsource parts of - if not the whole - IT function as a cost-cutting measure. As well-researched as this book is, the reality is that IT departments invariably do not have the time, the budget or the inclination to take on what is suggested in this book. And if they do venture to take on the challenge, it is a long-term proposition that many organisations are unwilling to accept, as they have more pressing problems to handle.
So while the content of this book is what is needed to effectively index, structure and manage enterprise-wide information, the fact still remains that most organisations are probably not in a position to undertake a project of this magnitude. They end up with disorganised, mismanaged and redundant information or document searches. It seems idealistic and perhaps even a wasted effort to lay out the information as the author has, if IT professionals are not able to utilise the structure, the expertise and the cautionary tone that go along with it.
This is however an impressive compilation of information and a commendable effort by the author to address intranet search. His perspectives on making searches work are invaluable. I would recommend this book to those who are considering implementing an enterprise/intranet search engine. There is definitely more to it than meets the eye!
FreePint Reviewer:
Jothi Nedungadi has a background in training, OD and performance improvement in the healthcare industry. She has been involved in Learning Management System implementations, 360 implementations, surveys and evaluations, for corporate-wide initiatives while managing technical training for Fortune 500 companies in the pharmaceutical and medical insurance industry. Jothi was conferred the Myra T. Grenier Award for committed interest in contributing to the information profession by AIIP (Association of Independent Information Professionals) in 2007. She is dedicated to helping clients with strategic information needs. She provides information research services to her clients as CEO and Principal of Competitive InfoSearch, LLC http://www.competitiveinfosearch.com
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