What is the Thinking Process?

The Thinking Process ( TP ) links a number of TOC tools to effect system improvement. The thinking process starts by defining the system to be worked on in terms of Undesired Effects ( UDE s), and then creating the Current Reality Tree ( CRT ). The CRT identifies What to Change,  and leads the way to resolve a Core Problem or Core Conflict (in the form of an Evaporating Cloud ) to point the way to an initial Injection  (change in reality) that will help you cause a future reality that changes all of the UDEs into their counterpart Desired Effects (DE s). The Future Reality Tree ( FRT ) identifies What to Change to , including all of the injections necessary to convert the system to the state of having the DEs. The FRT process includes defying and resolving Negative Branches ( NBRs ), the unintended consequences that may result from your injections or overcoming obstacles. The next step developers a Prerequisite Tree (PRT ), or How to cause the change?:   a coherent strategy and synchronized (high-level) plan to overcome all obstacles and cause the desired change. The final steps create a series of Transition Trees ( TRT s): detailed instructions on how to cause the change.

The process pays attention to Stakeholder buy-in throughout.