The cloud process has existed from the mid eighties. It was used or presented then to explain how Dr Goldratt identified breakthrough solutions and to explain some of the directions of TOC solutions. The clouds primary purpose at that time was to define, analyse, and find the direction of a solution to a core problem (the constraint of a system). Now it is used to resolve daily problems.

The method of constructing a cloud has developed over the years so that now it is possible to build a cloud in a few minutes whereas when it was first introduced it took some time and often a TOC TP expert was needed to help with the construction. This was partly due to the method and partly owing to the fact that there were very few examples of clouds to give people an idea of what they were attempting. We have included a section where you can study a number of clouds from a wide variety of subjects. 

The logic of the cloud is based on the assumption that every problem is really a label for a conflict and conflicts in reality cannot or should not exist. The most common method used to build a cloud at present is called the One UDE method. This method of building a cloud has also lead to the ability to identify the Core Problem of a situation more directly. If three important problems/UDE are constructed for one environment it is nearly always possible to consolidate them into the underlying core problem. There are full descriptions on the One UDE method and the 3 cloud consolidation process for identifying core problems on the Jonah help site.

The One UDE method:

1 State the UDE or problem
2 Construct the cloud
3 Upgrade the cloud logic
4 Surface the underlying assumptions
5 Identify wrong assumptions or assumptions that can be changed
6 Decide on the direction of the solution

The six questions on this page enable you undertake steps one and two of the one UDE process outlined above. You may also find it useful to describe or explain the problem in writing before answering the questions, you might find that the following questions help to explain the problem:
Relating to question 2
In what way is it undesirable?
What is put at risk by the UDE?
Relating to question 3
What do you want to do?
Relating to question 4
What need is satisfied by the continuing existence of the problem?
Why do you tolerate the UDE?
Relating to question 5
What do you feel causes the UDE? 
What are you forced to do because of the UDE?
Does the UDE force you to act in a certain way that you dislike?
Relating to question 2 and 5
Does the UDE put you in a conflict or a dilemma - if so what is the dilemma?

Once a cloud is constructed it normally needs upgrading - by which we mean improve the logic and readability of the cloud. Upgrading the cloud aids in the identification of the underlying assumptions and hence the resolution of the problem.

The topic Upgrading Your Cloud is best left until you have built the initial cloud. If you would like to study the cloud process more before proceeding with your own cloud have a look at the Jonah help site.