gr. μαιευτικός maieutikhos
It is named after the classical greek philosopher Socrates and is introduced by him in Plato’s Theaetetus as midwifery (maieutics) because it is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors’ beliefs, or to help them further their understanding. 1
It’s not suited for discovering new facts, it is designed for capturing underlying assumptions of already established ideas and processes. By doing that group may challange their assumptions, and refine their processes.
Connection with lean
Essence of lean is identification and elimination of waste. Socratic method is parent of identification part. It is a dialogue in group to bring out underlying problems by relentlessly questioning our reasoning.
By asking constructive questions about our work processes and culture we are set up for the first big task of gathering the data for further processing.
Application in work
- Retrospective
- 5 Why
- Team goals
- Asking positive questions
- Encourage knowledge sharing