Progress Reached

Table of Contents

What we’re thinking

Progress reached is the progress state that we phenomenological judge has been reached, at a particular time, during a progress attempt.

Ideally the seeker ultimately judges it matches progress sought, indicating that maximum value has emerged. Nevertheless, reaching progress offered with a proposition is often acceptable to a seeker.

We can see progress reached is indicating levels of emerged value; however, exploring progress reached informs us of the need for emerged value to be recognised by the seeker before it can be seen as true value.

Similar to progress potential, a helper may also judge progress reached. They may withdraw from helping if they feel progress is not sufficient (i.e. value co-destruction is occurring and not recoverable).

Finally, innovation should of course aim to increase progress reached.

Progress reached is the judgment, at a specific moment, of the progress state that has been reached in a progress attempt. It is one of the named states in the progress economy; and part of a pair of phenomenological judgements made, together with progress potential.

progress reached: the phenomenological judgement, at a specific point in time, of the progress state that has been reached during a progress attempt

As viewed by a seeker

Primarily, it is the seeker who makes these judgments as part of their progress decision process (or engagement decision process) during a progress attempt. They assess, phenomenologically and regularly, whether they have made sufficient progress compared to their expectations. If they have, it is likely that they will continue the attempt.

Conversely, if they feel that insufficient progress has been made, they might decide to abandon the progress attempt.

The failure to achieve the expected progress could be attributed to a lack of resources or one of the five other progress hurdles that have proven to be more challenging than initially felt. Alternatively, it may be due to the seeker’s misapplication or non-application of the available resources. These situations represent instances of potential value co-destruction.

As viewed by a helper

While it is primarily the seeker who evaluates and reacts to their progress reached, as we move away from the enabling end of the proposition continuum, it is not uncommon for the helper to also form judgments regarding the progress reached with a specific seeker.

Helpers may identify resource challenges on the seeker’s side that could impede further progress. In response, they might attempt to address the situation or decide to discontinue their involvement in the attempt.

Measuring progress reached

Similar to measuring progress potential, we can employ artificial scales and measurements to gauge progress reached, for much the same reasons. Progress is often a complex entity to measure due to its composition of three elements, which may not inherently be quantifiable.

The same three approaches can be used, namely:

Binary Pass/Fail Scales
Subjective Assessments
Complex Scoring Mechanisms

In such ways we can construct views of learning progress as passing through levels – like the HSK levels for learning Mandarin Chinese, for example. Or project progress through the passing of milestones. And the softer “how did we do?” via web questionnaires or tapping a green/yellow/red emoji face button after leaving airport security.

Helpers often strive to assist seekers in forming judgments about their progress reached. For instance, they may offer guarantees like “money-back if not satisfied” or establish exams that allow seekers to demonstrate their levels of qualification.

relating to value

We know that there is no value at the outset, at progress origin, and maximum value at the destination, progress sought. Consequently, it stands to reason that value increasingly emerges as progress is made.

Since progress reached represents a judgment of progress achieved, it can also be viewed as a judgment of value, right?

Almost. It certainly serves as a measure of the value that has emerged. However, the critical question is whether this value holds significance for the seeker.

This largely depends on the seeker. Consider learning Mandarin Chinese. Progress can be measured based on the proficiency level reached according to the HSK classification. For most seekers, true value is only realised upon successfully passing a level’s examination. Progress certainly occurs while studying for the next level. And value emerges due to that studying (progressing). However, it is only fully realised upon obtaining the qualification.

Naturally, as with all discussions surrounding progress and value, there will be seekers who find true value in the act of studying itself. Their recognition of value therefore might be tied to the number of weekly courses attended or the number of Chinese signs learned, rather than the levels they have passed.

Hence, it is essential to distinguish between value emerging through progress and the value that the seeker personally recognises. Since these most likely occur on different schedules.