The TOC Ambitious Target Tree

Reaching Beyond

Introducing the Theory of Constraints Logical Thinking Tool

The Ambitious Target Tree for Achieving Goals that seem out of Reach

TOC for Education -­‐ Australia Inc.

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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Improving thinking skills, behaviour and personal achievement for people of all ages.

TOC for Education -­‐ Australia Inc. is a registered not-­‐for-­‐ profit organisation providing workshops and training in the Theory of Constraints (TOC) logical and practical thinking and communication tools to: ▪ Students ▪ Parents/carers ▪ Educators ▪ Education administrators ▪ Counsellors ▪ Community groups ▪ Business Organisations

At the heart of our approach is the desire to contribute to a better world by teaching children and adults new and effective ways of thinking in order to improve their lives and opportunities now and in the future.

The following pages provide an overview of the Theory of Constraints Thinking Tool the Ambitious Target Tree.

Based on original material by Kathy Suerken, President TOCfE International

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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THE AMBITIOUS TARGET TREE Achieving goals that seem out of reach This structured, dynamic tool enables people of all ages to analyse and sequence the steps needed to achieve an ambitious goal or target, breaking the process into smaller, more manageable and logical steps.

The logical tool is used to plan projects, address behaviour problems and analyse curriculum.

An ambitious target is a positive and desirable objective that at first glance seems unreachable.

Although this process is simple enough to be used with small children, it is equally effective in ensuring success for those who plan and manage school, business and system-wide projects.

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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The Problem

For many, ambitious targets are not achieved because: • We do not have a deep understanding of what is needed to ensure success • We don’t have a clear, logical and time sequenced plan • We can’t get participation and commitment from others in group projects • We are distracted by non-­‐essential actions that waste time • It is difficult to understand the success and failures of others’ plans

CURRICULUM • It is difficult to clarify/understand key concepts and lesson objectives within text and other information

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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The Problem

Teamwork: • There is an increasing fear of failure • Team members start to loose interest in the project • Communication breaks down • It is more difficult to trust each other • Outcomes not achieved

Why is it so hard to achieve ambitious targets?

• By definition they are out of reach • They require more than a regular “to do” list to achieve them • There are several obstacles • We do not have a deep understanding of what is needed to ensure success • We don’t have a clear, logical and time sequenced plan to overcome the obstacles

“A goal without a plan is just a wish” - Antoine de Saint Exupery TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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By using the Ambitious Target Tree technique: Develop organisational and logical sequencing skills • By graphically structuring obstacles and prerequisites in logical sequence to overcome them to achieve the Ambitious Target Develop communication and collaboration skills • By using the tool as a framework to analyse and discuss curriculum content and/or implement a plan to achieve an ambitious target.

Increase relevance to real life situations • By using prior knowledge, acquiring new knowledge and responsible decision-making.

• Being able to transfer knowledge and experience in the curriculum to real life situations.

Develop skills that focus thinking • Beyond literal interpretation of information • Convert general or abstract ideas into specific actions • Question and interpret information

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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The Solution Part 1: Clearly define the Ambitious Target.

Ambitious Target/Goal: “x y z”

Obstacle

Intermediate Objective (I.O.)

1.

1.

2.

2.

3.

3.

4. more as necessary

How to achieve the objective -­‐ Plan

A method that enables us to effectively: • Gain a deep understanding of what is needed to ensure success in achieving goals • Acquire skills to create a clear, logical and time sequenced plan to achieve goals • Gain collaboration and commitment from others in group projects • Avoid distractions by non-­‐essential actions that waste time • Gain clarity and understanding in key concepts and lesson objectives within text and other information • Analyse rather than memorise events, concepts and information • Support a position using reasoned logic • Improve recall and retelling of story • Make reasoned and responsible decisions • Effectively question and interpret information • Take greater responsibility for our behaviours

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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The Solution

Part 2: Create a plan to achieve the Ambitious Target.

A method that is:

• Simple… Is the method easy enough to be used by people of all ages and abilities?

• Concrete… Is the method specific and not too abstract? Does it allow people to relate the analysis to real life experience?

• Graphically structured… Is the method sufficiently structured and visual?

• Logically sequenced… Does the order of the steps make sense?

• Practical… Does the method enable its underlying theory to yield practical outcomes?

• Assessable… Does the method provide a strategy for evaluation?

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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Behaviour Applications:

Benefits of using the Branch in Behaviour situations:

• Personal goal setting • “Contracts” with students or classes • More focused and meaningful classroom discussions • Completion of academic work • Workplace leadership • School or workplace improvement plans

▪ Ensures the target itself is clearly defined and understood ▪ Provides more focused and deeper understanding of what is needed to ensure success ▪ Improves clarity of communication ▪ Provides concrete, written plan that is logical and easy to follow ▪ Evokes participation and commitment of all team members in group projects ▪ Ensures genuine collaboration among team members ▪ Eliminates non-essential actions that waste time ▪ Fosters confidence and momentum needed to achieve a goal

When applied to projects, the Ambitious Target Tree enables individuals and groups to think through the logical steps needed to ensure success. They not only gain confidence in their ability to solve their own problems but also are often able to prevent conflicts with others. As a result, the learning environment is significantly improved.

Reduce sense of failure, loss of confidence, reduce conflicts and stress.

Gain confidence in own ability and others, take responsible actions, achieve goals and improve personal relationships.

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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Curriculum Applications: ▪ Analysis of narrative and informational text (oral or written)

Benefits of using the Ambitious Target in content applications:

▪ Academic projects, group and individual

▪ Deepens understanding of successes and failures in analysing events and procedures

▪ Development of communication skills (oral and written)

▪ Focuses thinking beyond a literal interpretation

▪ Lesson plans

▪ Enables students to predict potential obstacles in text or projects and think through how to overcome them

Applied to curriculum content, the Ambitious Target Tree enables students to analyse events and procedures in a way that deepens their understanding and ability to apply what they learn to their everyday lives.

When teachers use the Ambitious Target with students to develop a plan to achieve curriculum objectives (standards and benchmarks) students are able to verbalise not only what they need to learn but also their own responsibilities in the learning process.

Less overwhelmed by workload, less confusion interpreting curriculum content, less failure, no blame

▪ Enables students to logically sequence new knowledge ▪ Enhances the ability to identify essential, yet less obvious, details in text or academic projects by thinking through the reasons for actions ▪ Enables focused and meaningful classroom discussions ▪ Enables students to logically plan a group or individual curriculum content project

More focus, deeper understanding, clearer thinking in achieving goals

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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Case Studies

For a comprehensive selection of case studies from around the world please visit:

http://www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au/index.php/case-­‐ studies

Contact Us For information on upcoming workshops in Australia please visit:

http://www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au/index.php/our-­‐ program

email: info@tocfe-­‐australia.com.au Phone: 1300 919 761 (within Australia)

TOC for Education Australia, Inc. | PO Box 551, Glebe, NSW 2037 | www.tocfe-­‐australia.com.au | Ph 1300 919 761

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