Changing Software Development: Learning to Become Agile

5.5. Blocks to Learning

There is another route to improving learning: removing the obstacles that block learning. Such learning inhibitors come both from within ourselves and from outside. Likewise, for an organization some inhibitors are self-made, while others are external.

Some blocks to learning are simply the flip side of Senge's disciplines. For example, the opposite of systems thinking leaves us seeing parts, not wholes. Other blocks, such as camouflage, are distinct in their own right. In the sections below, I describe some general blocks and some blocks that are common in the software development field.

Thinking Point: Your Blocks to Learning This section looks at a few ways in which learning can be blocked. Make a list of the things that stop you from learning more.

5.5.1. Invisibility

Many of the most valuable learning experiences come from solving problems. However, you can only solve a problem if you can see it. Similarly, it isn't possible to capitalize on an opportunity if you don't recognize that the opportunity exists. Sometimes problems and opportunities are just invisible.

For large problems and opportunities, especially those that concern the team or organization, it is necessary that more than one person sees the issue. Trying to fix a problem that nobody else recognizes will be very frustrating. Therefore, one of the first things we can do is to expose problems and opportunities and let people see that they exist.

Problems can be hidden in a multitude ...