Step 5. Develop Higher Level Functions

This step requires a diligent search for higher level functions. It is accomplished by asking questions of the initial basic function recorded during Step 4. The initial basic function is inserted in the blanks where the asterisks appear in the following three questions:

1. Why is it necessary to ________ *________ ?

2. What higher level function caused ________ *________ to come into being?

3. What is really trying to be accomplished when ________ *________ is performed?

Keep in mind that when these three questions are asked, we are trying to come up with three new functions; therefore, we have to force ourselves to think more deeply about our subject or project. When I do this with a team, I always evaluate the answers the participants give me. If they fail to give me a new function, then I repeat the question again and again and again until each participant gives me at least one new function if at all possible. Each time I do this, I try to think of a new function myself. As I do this step, I switch roles and I ask the participants to also play different roles until we are successful in naming some new functions. In other words, pretend you are someone else or something else, such as a piston or a molecule of gasoline.

As soon as I get at least one new function by asking Question 1, either from myself or from...