“Why Change?” The Change Matrix is the “step zero” Thinking Processes (TP) tool that answers that question. This paper presents the modern Change Matrix (CM2).

The traditional 4-box Change Matrix is a well known story in the Theory of Constraints community (yes, the one with the alligator, mermaid, pot of gold, and crutches icons). And it is the basis for much discussion on buy-in (plus-plus and minus-minus) and the 3/5 Change Questions and the 5/6/9 Layers of Resistance. But the Change Matrix is not appreciated as a Thinking Process tool, has no entry in the TOCICO Dictionary, and is not mentioned in the ToC Handbook.

By correcting the inconsistencies found in Goldratt’s original 4-box Change Matrix, and enhancing it to a 6-box Change Matrix (CM2) with two new icons (gold nuggets, and rattlesnake), it becomes a more powerful for exploring the [ + ] Desirable Effects (DEs) and [ - ] UnDesirable Effects (UDEs) of Customers — collectively, Customer Needs (CNs). A tool for those who seek to make a Good Change (or add good limitations) for an improvement that is embraced, and for those who strive to prevent