The 3 Stages of Shu Ha Ri for Gaining Knowledge

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In Shu-Ha-Ri, there are 3 stages to gaining knowledge. Alistair Cockburn introduced an analogy to Aikido (Japanese martial art) in terms of how we learn a technique and get better at it from beginner/novice to journeyman, to master. There are 3 stages of gaining knowledge:

Shu – Beginner Stage

In shu, we repeat the forms and discipline ourselves so that our bodies absorb the forms that our forebears created. We remain faithful to these forms with no deviation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari

Here we follow the teachings of the master. Follow the instructions or rules as laid out without worrying about the why or the theory behind certain things. There is a preference for one option as many options for doing the same thing will create confusion.

Ha – The Journeyman Stage

In ha, once we have disciplined ourselves to acquire the forms and movements, we make innovations. In this process, the forms may be broken and discarded.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari

In Ha, we are beyond the basics and now understand the theory behind why we do certain things. We can evaluate different alternatives and decide on which one to take.

Ri – The Master Stage

In ri, we completely depart from the forms, open the door to creative technique, and arrive in a place where we act in accordance with what our heart/mind desires, unhindered while not overstepping laws.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari

In Ri, we are going beyond learning from others, but learning from our own experience and adapting the rules for different circumstances and creating our own approaches.

An Example

For example, when I presented my talk on Fostering Self-Organizing Teams at the Munich Global Scrum Gathering, it was my first trip to Munich. If I needed to go from point A to point B, I’m in a new setting and I’m at the Shu stage. I need directions to follow a map or preferably a guide that can lead and show me the way. If you give me more than 1 set of directions, that’s too much information.

After being in Munich for a couple of days, I got the general lay of the land and could wander on my own and know where to turn right or left or pick an alternative between 2 routes. That’s the Ha stage.

Back home in DC, my commute to work is just common nature. I do it without even thinking about it. I get in the car and drive and 25 minutes later I’m at work. If there is traffic, I discover alternate routes or shortcuts on my own that put me right back on track. This is the Ri stage.

Learn more about Team Development in the Building High Performing Teams Workshop.

Also check out the complete Fostering Self-organizing Teams series: