The document describes Goldratt's Thinking Process for resolving conflicts using the Evaporating Cloud method. It involves constructing a diagram with the objective, conflicting prerequisites and requirements. Underlying assumptions indicated by arrows are evaluated and "injections" are created to invalidate assumptions and resolve the conflict. The example resolution uses the story from Green Eggs and Ham to demonstrate applying the method to experience happiness despite not liking green eggs and ham.
2. Current Reality Tree - helps pinpoint root causes of undesirable effects
Evaporating Cloud - solves conflicts that usually perpetuate the causes for an
undesirable situation
Core Conflict Cloud - a combination of conflict clouds for deeper conflicts
Future Reality Tree - helps identify possible negative outcomes of changes
Negative Branch Reservations - identify potential negatives of any action
Positive Reinforcement Loop - makes “future reality tree” more sustaining
Prerequisite Tree - states all intermediate objectives and the obstacles that
will be overcome in the process
Transition Tree – detailed description of action that will implement changes
Strategy & Tactics - the overall project plan and metrics
The Thinking Process
3. Conflict Resolution
“The Evaporating Cloud”
Suited to finding a solution to conflict
between two parties or two points of
view.
The method requires the participants
to find 'win-win' solutions because it
emphasizes that both parties are trying
to reach the same ultimate goal.
5. The Evaporating Cloud
Have a
Profitable
Company
Reduce
Inventory
Costs
Produce Small
Batch Runs
Produce Large
Batch Runs
Stabilize
Production
(Conflict)
Stability
Profit
6. Assumptions
Assumption-a statement about reality that is
accepted as true or valid without question or
demand for proof
The presence of an “arrow” in the diagram
indicates an “assumption”
Invariably some assumptions are not valid
Solving problems or resolving conflicts calls
upon locating all underlying assumptions we
can that are invalid
7. Invalid Assumptions
Some assumptions are noticeably
invalid
Some may have been valid at one
time but are no longer valid
When all else fails, attempt to validate
all assumptions (arrows)
8. Steps to Resolving Conflict
Construct a blank
conflict resolution
diagram (CRD)
Formulate the
objective
Articulate the
conflicting
prerequisites
Determine the
requirements
Evaluate the CRD
Relationship
Develop underlying
assumptions
Evaluate assumptions
Create injections
Select the best
injection
9. Sample Resolution
We now call on a
Conflict Resolution
Specialist with
many years
experience and
success.
You may have
heard of him
before…
14. Create injections
Experience
happiness
Eat
green eggs
and ham
Spread
happiness
I do not like
Sam-I-Am
Do not eat
green eggs
and ham
Eat them
here
or there
Eat them
anywhere
Eat them
with a
mouse
Eat them
in a house
Eat them
in a box
Eat them
with a fox
Eat them
in a car
Eat them
in a tree
Eat them
in the dark
Eat them
on a train
Eat them
in the rain
Eat them
with a goat
Eat them
on a boat
15. Select the best injection
Experience
happiness
Eat
green eggs
and ham
Spread
happiness
I do not like
Sam-I-Am
Do not eat
green eggs
and ham
Try
them
17. Things to remember
In any conflict, there are usually 5 arrows indicating
underlying assumptions
Each arrow implies the existence of at least one but
probably more assumptions
Expose as many assumptions underlying each arrow as you
can
Injections you develop to invalidate assumptions are ideas,
not solutions. They should not be constrained by premature
considerations of feasibility
In complex situations, injections are likely to be conditions
you want to create rather than actions you expect to
perform. Many separate actions may be necessary to
achieve these conditions.
18. Where to learn more
Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints by H.
William Dettmer
Wikipedia article “Theory of
Constraints”
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss