Using The TOC Thinking Processes

The thinking processes are very flexible and are used in a number of different ways.

Most commonly the Cloud and the PRT are used together to deal with day to day problem and ambitious objectives.

The prerequisite process is one of the fastest processes available to develop a solid implementation plan either working with a small team or individually.

Cloud Overview

Prerequisite Tree Overview 

Basic Cloud Structure

Evaporating Cloud (Cld)

The cloud process is used to identify the direction of a solution by analysing the inherent conflict hidden in most problem statements.

The process enables almost every problem to be defined precisely as a conflict. In doing so it is possible to identify the underlying assumptions that have been blocking the resolution of the problem.

Identifying the assumptions that can be changed provides a number of potential directions for the solution that will resolve the problem.

There are several methods to construct a cloud. The most recent process and the most commonly used today is called the One UDE method.

More on the cloud process/...

 A Full Prerequisite Tree

Prerequisite Tree (PRT)

The prerequisite process is used to break down larger changes or implementation steps into logical smaller steps. The outcome of the prerequisite process is a Prerequisite Tree (PRT).

The diagram to the left shows a full Prerequisite Tree. At the TOP of the tree are two square corner boxes with the letters Inj in them. Inj is short for Injection. An Injection in TOC terms is something that needs to be implemented as part of a TOC application. Injections are usually non trivial changes. In this case the Inj are the objectives of this PRT. Below these boxes the intermediate objectives (IO) needed have been identified by surfacing the obstacles (Obs) that block the implementation of the Injections. Each IO in the tree is necessary to overcome one of the obstacles.

The PRT is often the basis for a project network. Each IO being broken down again into smaller steps and into the actions needed to achieve it.

Today the full PRT is not often drawn. Rather an IO map is produced without showing the obstacles.

More on the PRT process/...