Current reality tree (TOC) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Thinking processes (Theory of Constraints)

This page is about thinking processes in the Theory of constraints. Wikipedia also has a list of thought processes.Thinking processes in Eliyahu M...

in the Theory of Constraints

Theory of Constraints

The theory of constraints adopts the common idiom "A chain is no stronger than its weakest link" as a new management paradigm. This means that processes, organizations, etc., are vulnerable because the weakest person or part can always damage or break them or at least adversely affect the...

, a Current Reality Tree (CRT) is a way of analyzing many system or organizational problems at once. By identifying root causes common to most or all of the problems, the CRT can greatly aid focused improvement of the system. A current reality tree isn't really a tree

Tree (graph theory)

In mathematics, more specifically graph theory, a tree is an undirected graph in which any two vertices are connected by exactly one simple path. In other words, any connected graph without cycles is a tree...

, but a directed graph.

Simplified explanation

This process treats multiple problems as symptoms arising from a few ultimate root causes. It describes, in a simple visual drawing, the main perceived symptoms (along with secondary/hidden ones that lead up to the perceived symptom(s)) of a problem scenario and ultimately the apparent root cause(s) or conflict. The benefit of doing this is that it is much easier to identify the connections or dependencies between these. Thus, focus can be placed on the bits which would cause the biggest positive change if tackled.

Contextual explanation

A current reality tree is a statement of an underlying core problem and the symptoms that arise from it. It maps out a sequence of cause and effect from the core problem to the symptoms. Most of the symptoms will arise from the one core problem or a core conflict. Remove the core problem and we may well be able to remove each of the symptoms as well. Operationally we work backwards from the apparent undesirable effects or symptoms to uncover or discover the underlying core cause.

Example

A CRT begins with a list of problems, known as undesirable effects (UDEs.) These are assumed to be symptoms of a deeper common cause. To take a somewhat frivolous example, a car owner may have the following UDEs:

the car's engine will not start.
the air conditioning is not working.
the car's radio sounds distorted.

The CRT depicts a chain of cause-and-effect reasoning (IF...AND...THEN) in graphical form, where ellipses or circles represent an "AND". The graphic is constructed by:

attempting to link any two UDEs using cause-and-effect reasoning. For example, IF the engine needs fuel in order to run AND fuel is not getting to the engine, THEN the car's engine will not start.
elaborating the reasoning to ensure it is sound and plausible. For example, IF the air intake is full of water THEN air conditioning is not working. Elaboration (because air is not able to circulate) gets added as in-between step.
linking each of the remaining UDEs to the existing tree by repeating the previous steps.

This approach tends to converge on a single root cause. In the illustrated case, the root cause of the above UDEs is seen as being a faulty handbrake.

Software

jThinker is a free tool for building TOC Thinking Processes diagrams including the current reality tree.
Flying Logic is a commercial tool for building TOC Thinking Processes diagrams including the current reality tree.

Simplified explanation

Contextual explanation

Example

Software

See also