ShuHaRi

Follow and ape your hero, break away from their methods, and transcend with yours

The concept of ShuHaRi first caught my attention in "The Toyota Way." Initially, it seemed like just another proverb. However, I've since learned that proverbs are far from trivial; they encapsulate deep wisdom and years of experience.

ShuHaRi can be roughly translated as follows:

• Shu: Follow and master the rules.

• Ha: Branch out or break the rules.

• Ri: Start your own practice or create your own rules.

My true appreciation for this proverb's depth came from my experiences at Incubyte, my company. Here, I realized the profound impact of ShuHaRi.

In the startup world, the founder's focus often transcends the practices themselves, emphasizing the spirit and value behind them. Take Test Driven Development (TDD), for instance. While TDD is a valuable practice, its underlying benefits – quality and the courage to experiment – are what truly matter. If another practice offered greater benefits, I'd just adopt it – I’d embrace it with open arms.

At Incubyte, I personally ensure that all new team members are trained in these XP practices, a testament to how much I value them. However, a subtle shift occurred over time. Phrases like “That’s how things are done here” began to surface, signaling a transition from valued practices to rigid processes.

What's the difference? Practices are flexible, focusing on the 'how' of achieving value. Processes, in contrast, are rigid and consistent, emphasizing the 'what' and 'when.'

Consider Root Cause Analysis (RCA). Initially, it was about knowledge sharing and prevention. But as it morphed into a process, it lost its dynamism, becoming tedious and uninspired.

Another example is the XP format for writing stories, like “As an [end user], I should be able to [sign in], so that I can [view my portfolio].” When this becomes a mere process, it loses its essence, leading to uninspired iterations such as, “As a developer, I want to write a feature so that I can release it.”

The lesson here is clear: we must adhere to our practices' spirit, not just the letter.

Blindly following the letter can lead to destructive outcomes. A stark example from the United States — builders, restricted from constructing on land with endangered species, would eliminate these species to proceed with development.

In conclusion, the true value of practices lies in mastering them and then innovatively breaking and reshaping their rules. This approach allows you to develop new practices uniquely suited to you, your team, or your company.

Leaving you all with a quote from one of the books I read this year!