Ineffective Actions – Current Reality Tree

Using the Feedback Loop Model for Actions, you can apply Goldratt’s “Thinking Process” (which is explained best in Dettmer’s book) to help understand why undesired results are occurring.

Setting a correct Vision is a large topic by itself and for this discussion the focus is on the impact of beliefs on action. So let’s assume a vision has been selected that is truly aligned to needs and doesn’t violate physical laws! If this the case, then the root cause of ineffective actions is not due to the vision. Building a Current Reality Tree diagram can then leave it out.

How do ineffective actions manifest themselves? The Gap between our Vision and Results doesn’t close (it might even get worse). Referring to the loop model, since the vision is fixed, the gap is driven by results. The results depend on Actions, so this is the place to start with the Current Reality Tree (CRT).

Working backwards from ineffective actions (the undesirable effect or UDE), the contributing causes may include wrong goals, bad habits, or constraints in the environment (that are beyond your control). Not all of these may be issues, so interpret the arrows leading into ineffective actions as an ‘OR’ condition (that’s why the typical CRT ellipse depicting a logical ‘AND’ is missing). The two legs that are within the scope of your control (goals and habits) have their causes (plans and behaviors). Rather than tracing back through the all other steps, the diagram has been collapsed to show only beliefs. These have be broken up into two pieces around desire and self; there are other ways one might break out types of beliefs. Since limiting beliefs often involve self beliefs, this approach was chosen. The diagram also illustrates how conflicts between beliefs could lead to the undesirable effect (and cognitive dissonance). Note that there are stronger and weaker influences from these beliefs on plans and behaviors.

So here is the simplified Current Reality Tree:

IneffectiveActions

In an actual analysis, each box in the diagram might be split into several parts, each containing details specific to the particular ineffective action. For example, more than one habit might contribute the ineffective action and each of these may be the result of a different behavior.

 

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