The Future Reality Tree (FRT) Notation
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes.
Why use Future Reality Trees (FRTs)?
FRTs lay out a sequence of cause-and-effect relationships that connect proposed solutions to desired effects (DEs). FRTs use 'If... Then...' logic to answer the question, 'TO WHAT should we change?'
In contrast with a Current Reality Tree (CRT):
- A CRT starts with a set of Undesirable Effects (UDEs), leading down to the Core Driver, from which we invent Solutions.
- An FRT begins with a potential Solution and builds upward to a set of Desirable Effects (DEs).
FRTs can be constructed not only from a previously conceived solution but also from other parts of previously created CRTs and Clouds.
FRT Notation Description
The diagram below outlines the notation's structure. FRTs start with proposed solutions (Changeable nodes) and build upward to show how those solutions lead to Desirable Effects.
From there, we follow sufficient cause logic to trace the effects. Each cause itself becomes an effect (desirable, undesirable, or intermediate). "Given" causes (things that cannot be changed) may also contribute to the chain. The goal is to validate that the proposed solutions will indeed achieve the desired outcomes.
The Node Types in detail:
| Node Type | Description | Is Starting Point | Successors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desirable Effect | A wanted effect. These are the goals we aim to achieve through our solutions. They are caused by other effects or causes. | No | All Effects incl. 'And' |
| Intermediate Effect | Effects that are neither negative nor positive on their own. They are caused by other effects or causes. | No | All Effects incl. 'And' |
| Undesirable Effect | Potential negative side effects to monitor. In FRT, these help identify risks of the proposed solutions. | No | All Effects incl. 'And' |
| Given | Given entities are beyond your sphere of influence. They are sometimes called Preconditions. These always enter the tree without predecessors. E.g. Gravity is a given force unless you leave Earth. | No | All Effects incl. 'And' |
| Changeable | These are the proposed solutions or "injections" - the changes we plan to implement to achieve desirable effects. | No | All Effects incl. 'And' |
| And Junctor | In a sufficient cause diagram, each cause alone creates connected effects. The 'And' Junctor connects two causes, expressing that an event only happens if both causes are present. | No | All Effects (excl. 'And') |
Background Information on FRT Notation
FRT diagrams were developed as part of the Theory of Constraints by E. Goldratt. More on the Theory of Constraints can be found here.
Try FRT Yourself
Create and visualize your own Future Reality Tree diagram right here in your browser. Edit the VGL (Vithanco Graph Language) text on the left and click "Render" to see your diagram:
Tip: Use Ctrl+Enter (or Cmd+Enter on Mac) to quickly render your graph while editing.
Want to learn more about the VGL syntax? Check out the complete VGL Guide for detailed documentation on creating graphs in text format, including syntax reference and examples for all supported notations.