Learning more of a topic one already knows is relatively easy, but learning something completely new is incredibly hard.

Harder yet is to discover what it is we have to learn. You need to start from what you think you know and explore the inconsistencies, looking for knowledge that is dubious, fragile or wrong.

By analyzing problems at their point of cause, listing factors (a minimum of seven to force the mind to go beyond the usual suspects) and testing these factors one by one, we can uncover the gaps in our knowledge and understanding, which are often the key to "aha!" moments.

The challenge is to look into a difficult problem right now, examine the detail, discover the surprising and test factors until a new picture emerge.

Then run this as a team exercise to identify the proximal zones of development for the team.

• Kaizen is fun? Really? 
• Could you clarify the difference between cause and root cause? 
• How should I accelerate my own learning? 
• I understand I have to train people , but I work in a very technical area and they all know far more about their jobs than I ever will. How can I train them if they know more than I do? Why won't sensei ever give a straight answer? 
• Why are there so many points of view about what lean is? 
• How can our back office sustain lean? 
• Five whys?