Move from Reproducing a Practice to Understanding Its Decisions
Shu Ha Ri describes learning through following a practice, understanding it, and adapting it. Start with one procedure and examine results and unanswered questions.
Use the idea flexibly: unfamiliar tools may require returning to fundamentals even within familiar work.
Change the Learning Task across Shu, Ha, and Ri
Martin Fowler presents Shu Ha Ri as following a form, understanding principles, and creating practices. (Martin Fowler: Shu Ha Ri) Try the following application at work.
Shu: Reproduce One Procedure
Use the example’s materials and investigate differences in results before mixing several approaches.
Ha: Investigate Why a Step Matters
Compare alternatives and test the effect of removing a step. Explain why a proposed omission is appropriate.
Ri: Adapt the Practice to Actual Work
Adjust for materials and requests, recording results. Explain quality and cost for the revised method.
Assess Decisions alongside Time Spent
Assess whether you can reproduce results, explain failures, and adapt to different materials alongside study duration.
For page creation, reproduce an example, explain heading functions, then create a structure for another service.
Record Adaptations and Steps to Relearn
Record changed steps and outcomes. Reproduce unexplained problems with the basic procedure and fill knowledge gaps.
Describe actual deliverables and responsibilities when publishing work examples.
For a related practical guide, see learning and adapting from examples.
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