Tools

                    The Future Reality Tree

Any set of actions needs to be planned, carried out, and the results studied. This study must provide us with indications on how to improve. This is what Deming called PDSA (see Step Ten).
TOC provides a tool to design and control the pattern of implementation of the injections found, as well as the means to highlight the need for new ones. The name is Future reality Tree (FrT).
The process of constructing is based on a core FRT  that is obtained from the core problem cloud.
The starting point (the bottom of the tree) is the breakthrough idea (injection D*) that lead to the achievement of both B and C requirements or needs.
Schematically, it is achieved by rotating the core solution 90° clockwise.   Later on we add causalities to the structure to ensure we understand the full logic of why the objective will be achieved if we implement the breakthrough idea in our reality. The process can continue until all desired effects (DEs)  are logically connected to the FRT. This part, from A going up, is called the trunk of the FrT. It reveals how, as a result of the injections found, all of our UDEs will turn into DEs.

At this point the vision of the solution should be clear enough for people to conceptually accept it and move forward.

The FRT is the place where we gather all the supporting logic to “prove” why we claim that the proposed change will bring results.
The injections are what is needed to transform all the UDEs present in our current reality into their opposite, the Desirable Effects of our strongly desired new future reality.
FrT puts the Deming cycle PDSA into operation. It contains all the elements that guide and sustain continuous improvement.
Like the PDSA cycle, FrT is intrinsically systemic and the necessary feedback mechanism, the ACT, is provided by the Negative Branch Reservation (NBR).

The bringing about of the injections is extremely demanding; it changes our reality and makes us go through a series of intermediate states. Changing  states may induce some unwanted effects.
In essence, FrT guides us in the anticipation of these effects, allowing the development of very focused NBR. As a matter of fact, FrT and NBR should  prevent the occurrence of unwanted effects.

 FrT and the associated NBRs are an invaluable tool in the design of the desired solution and in the logical control of its implementation.

   

go to the Negative Branch Reservation