3.6. Reflection Checkpoint: Improving Your Professional Practice

💡 First Principle: Continuous professional growth is achieved through a cycle of learning, application, and reflection, where concepts are tested in practice and experiences inform a deeper understanding of the concepts.

Scenario: After learning about conflict resolution modes, you reflect on a recent disagreement you managed on your project. You identify that you used an 'Accommodating' style when a 'Collaborating' style would have produced a better, more sustainable outcome. This reflection provides a concrete lesson for your next leadership challenge.

• Describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict. Which conflict mode did you use (even implicitly)? Was it effective? What might you do differently applying these concepts?
• When estimating a complex user story, would you rely more on Planning Poker or Analogous Estimating? Why?
• What are the pros and cons of using EMV for risk prioritization?
• How could applying the principle 'Build Quality In' change how your team approaches testing?

⚠️ Common Pitfall: Believing that learning stops after the exam. The concepts in this guide are the foundation for a career of continuous improvement and professional practice.

Key Trade-Offs:

• Comfort Zone vs. Growth: Applying new techniques can feel uncomfortable or take more effort initially than sticking with familiar methods. This is the trade-off required for professional growth.

Reflection Question: Which single concept from this phase (Tailoring, Leadership, or a specific Tool/Technique) do you believe would have the most immediate positive impact if you applied it to your current project, and why?