Today, I’m going to show you the Feynman technique. It’s made an incredible difference to me in learning and retaining new information.
I want to talk about this because I see time and time again that people struggle with this. Here are a few examples from readers who have reached out because they were having trouble remembering what they needed to for the Six Sigma exams:
I recently completed a 5 day lean six sigma green belt course….All of the information required to learn was delivered through the wonderful world of powerpoint and the class was discouraged from asking questions. With homework set for most evenings needless to say my brain was fried on the final afternoon and for the first time I failed an exam. What is a good way of remembering the salient points prior to an exam when having to remember so much more as well??
I have always had a success in learning material and researching to all lengths to find answers through out any course. when it comes to tests though, I seem to have problems, I frequently get discouraged with answers I should know but cant remember when needed. This snowballs and the TIME CLOCK seems to get bigger which forces me to worry more about it than the work. I would say finding a system that works for me that I can use to become comfortable and patient during a test is my biggest challenge.
My biggest challenge is relying on my Lean Six Sigma Pocket guide when either discussing Six Sigma topics or taking practice exams. The material seems to be very dense and is difficult to remember and recall without experiencing applying these strategies to real-world experience.
Using the Feynman Technique can simplify complex ideas, helping you understand them better. It will also improve your real-world problem-solving and help you pass your Six Sigma exam easily.
The trouble is that most people focus on memorizing facts. They do this instead of understanding how to apply materials to their lives.
Ditch the cram sessions and embrace true learning. The Feynman Technique for Lean and Six Sigma will not only help you ace your exams. It will also turn you into a Lean-thinking, problem-solving machine.
Here’s what you’re going to learn in this newsletter
- What is the Feynman Technique?
- Why the Feynman Technique is effective.
- What most people get wrong when implementing the Feynman Technique. (And how to avoid those pitfalls.)
- How to get started step-by-step with two optional exercises to help you master Six Sigma material (and maybe help your career while doing it.)
What is the Feynman Technique?
Many people use the Feynman to learn and understand complex topics. It’s named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman.
The Feynman technique involves four key steps:
- Choose a Concept: Select a concept or topic you want to learn or understand. It could be a principle, theory, equation, or any other subject matter you’re studying.
- Teach it to someone else: Pretend you’re teaching someone new. This forces you to simplify the concept and use plain language to explain it. You can do this by explaining, giving a talk, or just talking as if you’re teaching.
- Identify Gaps and Go Back to the Source: As you explain the concept, note any gaps in your understanding. Also, note any areas where you struggle to explain. This is a chance to return to the source material — textbooks, articles, and lectures. You can review the material and fill in any gaps in your knowledge.
- Review the concept again after finding areas to improve: Try to simplify your explanation even more. Use analogies, diagrams, or real-world examples to make the concept easier to understand. The goal is to be able to explain the concept in simple terms without relying on jargon or complex language.
Why is the Feynman Technique So Effective?
The act of writing down your beliefs and learnings so that you can teach others focuses your mind. Putting your thoughts down on paper (or in a newsletter) takes effort! Along the way, you learn the subject matter better. You start to see interconnections that previously would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
- Teaching a concept to someone else makes learners break down complex ideas. They make them simpler and easier to understand. This enhances comprehension.
- Teaching requires active engagement with the material. This leads to deeper understanding and retention. It’s better than passive methods like rote memorization.
- Finding gaps helps. Explaining a concept to someone else shows gaps in your understanding. This prompts learners to revisit and clarify confusing areas.
- The Feynman Technique encourages learners to relate abstract concepts to real situations. This helps them use knowledge in the real world.
- Teaching a concept reinforces learning. It forces learners to explain their understanding. This leads to greater mastery.
The Feynman Technique promotes active learning, deep understanding, and effective retention of information. This makes it a powerful tool for mastering complex subjects like Lean and Six Sigma.
Your arguments for using the material will be sharper. You’ll also get better at stating your position. This has a host of benefits – not only for learning the material well but also for interviewing!
Here’s what most people get wrong implementing the Feynman technique
Some common pitfalls when using the Feynman Technique include:
- Learners may make their explanations too complex. This defeats the technique’s purpose of simplifying concepts.
- Ignoring gaps in understanding. Learners may overlook areas where they struggle to explain a concept well. They may fail to see these gaps. Then, they miss the chance to improve.
- People may focus on theory without applying it to real examples. This limits their ability to grasp its true importance.
- Learners might skip the crucial step of reviewing. They might also skip simplifying their explanations after identifying gaps. This leads to superficial, not deep, understanding.
- Isolation hinders the Feynman Technique. Studying alone, without feedback or engaging with others, can hinder it. Teaching and explaining concepts to others often reinforces learning.
Avoiding these pitfalls can maximize the Feynman Technique’s effect. It will improve learning outcomes.
Tired of drowning in Lean and Six Sigma jargon? The Feynman Technique cuts clutter. It gives you clarity and the confidence to tackle problems head-on.
How to Get Started With the Feynman Technique:
Choose a Topic:
Pick a topic from your study materials or a subject you’re interested in learning more about. It could be a Lean or Six Sigma concept, such as process improvement or statistical hypothesis testing.
If it helps, I have a huge archive of hundreds of articles written for all major Six Sigma exams. Feel free to take any topic from these lists:
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt Guides
- Six Sigma Black Belt Guides Bodies of Knowledge
Summarize in Your Own Words:
Write down the topic’s key points on a blank sheet of paper. Pretend you’re explaining it to a five-year-old. Use simple language and clear examples to make it easy to understand.
Explain Why It’s Important:
Consider why the topic is important to your industry or field of interest. Think about how understanding this concept can lead to better processes. How can the technique or concept improve efficiency or quality?
How You Can Do It:
Break down the topic into smaller, manageable chunks and study each part. Use resources like textbooks, online articles, or videos to deepen your understanding. Tools like the 5 whys are helpful here.
Create an Example:
Give a brief example. It should show how the concept could apply in your industry or workplace. It can be fictional. This could be a scenario where using Lean or Six Sigma principles leads to cost savings. It would reduce waste and improve customer satisfaction.
Extra Credit 1; Share on Social Media:
If you’re comfortable, post your summary and example on LinkedIn or Twitter. Tag relevant people or groups. This can help you receive feedback and engage with others interested in the topic.
Tag me on Twitter/X or LinkedIn and I’ll give you feedback or repost to my audience if you’d like.
Extra Credit 2; Customize for Your Workplace:
Adapt your explanation and example to fit your workplace or a company you admire. Share your insights with a colleague, mentor, or supervisor. Explain how the idea could help the organization.
Remember, the key to mastering the Feynman Technique is simplifying complex ideas. You deepen your understanding by actively engaging with them. Then, you apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios.
The Feynman Technique is effective. It needs active engagement with the material. It encourages deep understanding. And it helps find gaps in your knowledge. It’s a valuable tool for Lean and Six Sigma students. It helps us deepen our understanding of key concepts and principles.
When you’re ready, there are a few ways I can help:
First, join 30,000+ other Six Sigma professionals by subscribing to my email newsletter. A short read every Monday to start your work week off correctly. Always free.
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