I think the strongest parts of Shape Up are the betting table and the circuit breaker. The betting table is where 2-3 company leaders select projects employees will work on from all the pitched ones. The circuit breaker is a calendar date, circled at the beginning of a project, after which all work on that project comes to an abrupt, screeching halt. I also think these are the hardest things to implement for social reasons.

The parts about shaping and cycles are good, but I think the amount of attention the book gives them underemphasizes the importance of the betting table and circuit breaker.