Shu Ha Ri – or ShuHaRi – is a term widely used in the Agile community. In this video, I answer the question, what is Shu Ha Ri?
This video is safe for viewing in the workplace.
This is learning, so, sit back and enjoy
Shu Ha Ri
The Origins of Shu Ha Ri
Shu Ha Ri is a concept from Japanese martial arts, including Aikido, which describes the stages of learning and mastery. It’s often applied in other fields, beyond martial arts. In our case, it has been widely adopted by the Agile community. The three stages are:
Shu (守)
Usually translated as obey, follow, or protect
This stage is about learning the basics and sticking to the teachings of your master, or the basic guidebook.
It involves strict adherence to rules, techniques, and procedures. Learners will tend to imitate role models or their teaching masters. Essentially, it’s about learning the fundamentals deeply and accurately.
In the context of learning a trade or profession, we can think of this as the apprentice stage.
Ha (破)
Usually translated as digress, detach, or break-away
In this stage, practitioners have learned enough to start to form their own point of view. This allows them to start to break away from strict adherence to what they have learned, and begin to explore variations, innovations, and adaptations.
They will want to assimilate new ideas, and start to question the techniques and principles they originally learned, seeking deeper understanding and perhaps even developing their own interpretations or approaches.
In the context of learning a trade or profession, we can think of this as the journeyman stage. That is, the stage at which we can practice our craft to a high standard, without the need for advice and guidance – even starting to teach others.
Critically, it is at this stage that we start to become adept at tailoring methods and frameworks to the specific needs of each new project.
Ri (離)
Usually translated as leave, separate, or go beyond
This final stage represents mastery and true innovation. At this point, practitioners have mastered the fundamental principles so thoroughly that they can move beyond them.
They embody the essence of the art or discipline in their own unique way, often achieving a level of mastery that goes beyond mere technical proficiency. They may become teachers or innovators themselves, contributing to the evolution of the discipline. In the martial arts, these masters often practice without using the traditional forms, but through a flow of powerful movements.
In the context of learning a trade or profession, we can think of this as the master stage. These are the people who can innovate to deliver the biggest, most complex and demanding projects. This is also where some project managers develop their own style, framework, or even methodology.
Summing up Shu Ha Ri
So, Shu Ha Ri is a framework that reflects a continuous journey from beginner to master.
It emphasizes the importance of first learning and mastering the fundamentals before moving on to more advanced stages of understanding and eventually transcending those fundamentals altogether.
Recommended Articles and Videos to Help with your Career and advance from Shu to Ha to Ri
Carefully curated recommendations for you:
- Is Project Management a Good Career? How Well Does it Pay?
- Why Project Management? 13 Great Reasons to Go for a PM Career
- Building a Career in IT Project Management – with Andreanna Marshall
- Are You on Track with Your Project Management Career? | Video
- What’s the Next Step in Your Project Management Career? (Ikigai) | Video
- How To Advance Your Project Management Career
- What are T Shaped People? | Video
- Project Management Job Interview – How to Crack it! | Video
- Essential Project Management Interview Questions
- How to Answer the Question: Tell Me About Yourself | Video
- What is the STAR Format for Behavioral Interviews? | Video
- How to Pivot Your Career to AI – Artificial Intelligence Career
- How AI Knowledge will Help Your Project Management Career
What Kit does a Project Manager Need?
I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own.
Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs
Note that the links are affiliated.
Learn Still More
For more great Project Management videos, please subscribe to the OnlinePMCourses YouTube channel.
If you want basic Management Courses – free training hosted on YouTube, with 2 new management lessons a week, check out our sister channel, Management Courses.
For more of our Project Management videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.