About this Presentation
The nature of the system includes the subject matter, the goal, the necessary conditions, what governs the behavior of the system (values, culture, externalities, policies, measurements, behaviors, etc.) and how much influence do you have with which to effect change. The three question change sequence provides a system framework to identify the core problem (What to change), solve the system problem with a win-win solution (To what to change) and provide an implementation plan (How to cause the change). Two methods are described for identifying the core problem. First, one can build the current reality tree (CRT) from 8-10 undesirable effects (UDEs) to the core problem by asking why and using the categories of legitimate reservation. The core problem can be constructed as a conflict and its assumptions surfaced to identify and challenge an erroneous assumption. The second method of identifying the core problem is the three cloud approach. Three diverse UDEs are selected and a cloud built for each UDE. The clouds are then compared to construct a generic cloud that represents the three original UDEs and the remaining UDEs. The core conflict represented in the generic cloud is the cause of all the UDEs. By rotating this generic cloud 90 degrees and surfacing the cloud assumptions one can attach all of the UDEs to this base. The erroneous assumption is replaced with an injection providing the direction of the solution. From this injection the future reality tree is constructed by providing supporting injections to replace the UDEs with desirable effects (DEs). Two thinking processes are useful in responding to how to cause the change. These are the prerequisite tree and the transition tree. Several frequently asked questions are provided in addition to a couple examples for practice.
What Will You Learn
To help you get the most value from this session, we’ve highlighted a few key points. These takeaways capture the main ideas and practical insights from the presentation, making it easier for you to review, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
Identifying the core problem is crucial in any process. This can be done using UDIs or a current reality tree or a communications reality tree or the three UDI methods.
Cause and effect reasoning and the evaporating cloud technique are essential in finding solutions. These techniques help to identify erroneous assumptions and resolve core conflicts.
Implementing solutions involves identifying potential obstacles and creating a roadmap of intermediate objectives. This roadmap can then be used as the start of a project plan for solution implementation.
Instructor(s)
Dr. Alan H. Leader
Dr. Alan Leader received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Rochester and his doctorate in business from Indiana University. In addition to several years of industrial experience, he taught
Management at Western Michigan University and the University of Guam, earning tenure and the rank of Professor at both institutions. He was appointed Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration at the University of Guam and subsequently Dean of the School of Business and Economics at Southern Connecticut State University. Dr. Leader was named Dean Emeritus by SCSU, moved to Seattle and taught TOC at Seattle University. He is a Certified Mediator and consults under the name Leader Associates. Dr. Leader is a Jonah’s Jonah and is on the faculty of the Goldratt Schools. He is Chair of the TOCICO Thinking Process Committee.