A method of reaching one or more target positions in a user-directed trading system includes the steps of: identifying target positions, wherein each target position includes a tradable instrument identifier and a target quantity; for at least one of the target positions, identifying a corresponding initial position including a current quantity associated with the tradable instrument identifier; and triggering the trading system to identify orders required to reach at least one target position from at least one initial position. A user-directed trading system includes: a user interface through which a user identifies target positions, wherein each target position includes a tradable instrument identifier and a target quantity; for at least one of the target positions, identifies a corresponding initial position including a current quantity associated with the tradable instrument identifier; and identifies orders required to reach at least one target position from at least one initial position.