Objective: The Thinking Processes (TP) Practitioner Exam extends well beyond the Fundamentals Exam, which focuses on knowledge, comprehension, and basic application. This exam measures deeper capability - analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and the ability to select, apply, and interpret the Thinking Processes in new and unfamiliar situations. The exam centers on a significantly longer and more complex case study designed to challenge candidates' thinking while remaining solvable within the allotted time. The scenario is broadly relatable across global contexts and does not require subject-matter expertise or prior familiarity with any specific solution. Candidates must demonstrate competency across all major Thinking Processes concepts and tools, including UDEs and the Three UDE Cloud, the Current Reality Tree (or communications CRT), Evaporating Cloud, Future Reality Tree, Negative Branch Reservation, and both the PreRequisite and Transition Trees. Given the time constraints, the exam assesses key elements of these tools rather than expecting a full, detailed case analysis. Performance is evaluated based on clarity, effectiveness, and logical application of the Thinking Processes. Candidates are expected to show solid cause-effect reasoning, address valid reservations, and demonstrate disciplined self-scrutiny throughout their responses.

Exam Structure and Point Allocation: A typical exam includes the following structure and question types, beginning with a Case Narrative that provides the essential background and current context. Part One: > Question 1 (3 points) - Goal and Necessary Conditions > Question 2 (3 points) - UDEs > Question 3 (9 points) - Three UDE Cloud > Question 4 (7 points) - Core Conflict > Question 5 (15 points) - Current Reality Tree > Question 6 (3 points) - Criteria for a good solution > Question 7 (10 points) - Injections to a cloud Part 2: > Question 8 (10 points) - Future Reality Tree > Question 9 (4 points) - Negative Branch Reservation (recognition) > Question 10 (6 points) - Negative Branch Reservation (solution) > Question 11 (5 points) - Prerequisite Tree (obstacles) > Question 12 (5 points) - PrT (intermediate objectives) > Question 13 (5 points) - PrT (I-O Map) > Question 14 (5 points) - Converting and I-O map to a project plan > Question 15 (10 points) - Transition Tree The exam is scored out of 100 points, with 70 required to pass.

Case narrative: the market for HOME MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE was robust for awhile but sales are now in a downturn. This is becoming a problem and management is pressing to cut costs. And, with the six recent new hires, the Help Desk is over budget. Management recently declared "Costs are out of control. We want you to lay-off six Telephone Service Specialists." That has put an end to John's thoughts of adding four more specialists. Management views the Help Desk as an overhead function. John views the Help Desk as an essential service. He argued that Help Desk support is a necessary condition to increase customer satisfaction and encourage future sales. And, the Help Desk performance needs to be expanded, not reduced. So far, he has prevented the lay offs. Sample Questions: 1. Select an UDE from each of three ares: the company goal, and two necessary conditions. 2. Use these UDEs to construct a three UDE (the Core Conflict). 3. Draw a current reality tree (CRT), or its abbreviated communications form (CCRT), linking the core conflict to the UDEs you observed. 4. State your preferred injection to the core conflict. 5. Use an FRT to demonstrate that this injection will convert the UDEs to DEs. 6. Suggest an NBR that might occur if the injection was implemented. 7. Show how an injection would mitigate that NBR. 8. List 5 obstacles to implementation of the injections in (4) and (6). 9. Use intermediate objectives that would overcome those obstacles. 10. Construct an intermediate objective (I-O) map. 11. Show how this map provides a preliminary implementation project plan. 12. For one of the critical intermediate objectives, construct a transition tree.