18 July, 2024

What is Shu Ha Ri? or is it ShuHaRi?


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.

Carefully curated recommendations for you:


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

Never miss an article or video!

Get notified of every new article or video we publish, when we publish it.

Mike Clayton

About the Author...

Dr Mike Clayton is one of the most successful and in-demand project management trainers in the UK. He is author of 14 best-selling books, including four about project management. He is also a prolific blogger and contributor to ProjectManager.com and Project, the journal of the Association for Project Management. Between 1990 and 2002, Mike was a successful project manager, leading large project teams and delivering complex projects. In 2016, Mike launched OnlinePMCourses.
{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Never miss an article or video!

 Get notified of every new article or video we publish, when we publish it.

>