A CRT is a focusing procedure formulated by the late [[Eliyahu Goldratt]], inventor of the theory of constraints. This process usesis time-tested rules of logicintended to help leaders -gain inunderstanding aof fewcause brief,and buteffect intensive sessions - gainin a deepsituation understandingthey aboutwant whatto really matters in any given situationimprove. It treats multiple problems in a system as symptoms arising from one or a few ultimate root causes or systemic core problems. It describes, in a simple visual (cause-and-effect network) diagram, the main perceived symptoms (along with secondary or hidden ones that lead up to the perceived symptoms) of a problem scenario and ultimately the apparent root causes or core conflict. The benefit of building a CRT is that it is much easier to identifyidentifies the connections or dependencies between perceived symptoms (effects) and root causes (core problems or conflicts) explicitly. If core problems, for example in complex situations or crises, are identified, prioritized, and tackled well, multiple undesirable effects in the system will disappear. Thus, leadersLeaders may then focus on the bits,solving the few core problems, which would cause the biggest positive systemic changes, if tackled.
