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Learn with Shu Ha Ri: Follow a Practice, Understand It, and Adapt It

Summary

Learn to apply Shu Ha Ri through reproducible practice, explanations of underlying principles, practical adaptations, and decisions about revisiting basics.

Published

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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Frequently asked questions

Q: What does Shu Ha Ri mean?

A: Following a practice, understanding its principles, and adapting it.

Q: Does everyone progress at the same pace?

A: Assess reproduction, explanation, and adaptation.

Q: Can experienced people revisit basics?

A: Yes, for unfamiliar techniques or unexplained problems.

Q: What should an adaptation record contain?

A: Changed steps, reasons, results, and relearning needs.

Sources

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