This concept takes a symptom and works backward to the cause not just to solve the problem but correct the cause. The truly phenomenal accomplishment of treating symptoms to get at their causes is that it reduces repetitive problems. All of the sudden managers are not putting out fires all day long. There is time to work on more important issues like personnel and expanding markets. The symptom-cause phenomena also works well because there is usually a sense of urgency to correct the problem.
Symptoms hurt and stick out.
In the complex, chaotic business world there is no cookie-cutter success strategy. Many managers feel that without a formula or template they will lose what competitive advantage they have. This is known in business as dinosaur thinking. As the 'dinosaurs' become extinct other companies evolve to take their place. We see it happening all around us.