Rolfe’s Reflective Cycle

Introduction

The Rolfe reflective cycle has the virtue of simplicity and straightforwardness. The model is based on
three key questions, as the diagram below indicates:

The model was developed initially for nursing and care education, but has become more broad in its
subsequent applications, not least because of the clarity of the model and its ease of use.

The three stages of the model ask you to consider, in turn, what happened, the implications of the
occurrence, and the consequences for future conduct. The model is cyclic, indicating a continuity. The
changes in behaviour or approach which is generated from the reflective thought can then be analysed,
and either a further revision made, or else the changes made can be found to have been appropriate.

The Three Steps of the Rolfe Model of Reflection

Rolfe et al. (2010) suggest a series of questions which may spring from the initial three; these may be
used to refine reflective thinking and isolate the key elements of the situation or occurrence so that
they can be understood in more detail:

1. What?

This element of the cycle is concerned with describing the event or occurrence being reflected upon, and
defining one’s self-awareness in relation to it. All questions in this section begin with ‘what?’:.

What:

• Is the issue / problem / reason for being stuck / reason for feeling ill at ease / reason there is a
  clash of personalities?
• Was my role in the developing situation being reflected upon?
• Was I trying to achieve?
• Actions were being done towards the achievement?
• Were the responses of other people?
• Were the consequences for the learner/s?
• Were the consequences for me?
• Were the consequences for other people?
• Feelings were provoked in the student/s?
• Feelings were provoked in me?
• Feelings were provoked in other people?
• Was positive about the experience?
• Was negative about the experience?
• Could be improved?

2. So what?

This aspect of the Rolfe cycle analyses the situation being reflected upon and begins to make evaluations
of the circumstances being addressed. All questions in this section begin with ‘so what?’:

So what:

• Does this tell me about myself and my relationships with learner/s?
• Was my thought process as I acted?
• Did I base my course of action on?
• Other approaches might I have brought to the situation?
• Might I have done differently to have produced a more positive outcome?
• Have I learned because of this situation?
• Contextual issues have been brought to light by this situation?

3. Now what?

This is the element of Rolfe’s cycle which is concerned with synthesising information and insight, as we
move from the previous elements to think in more detail about what to do differently in the future (or
perhaps, if it is more appropriate to maintain the previous course of action) and so be prepared for
what might be done if similar situations present themselves again. All questions in this element start
with ‘now what?’:

Now what:

• Do I need to do make things better?
• Should I ask of others to support me?
• Do I need to avoid in future?
• Have I learned?
• Will I recognise in advance?
• Have others learned from this?
• Broader issues need to be considered if the new set of actions are to be enacted?
• Wider considerations need to be addressed?

These questions are only suggestions. Not all may be appropriate for all contexts, and thinking of new
ones may be part of the processes of reflection being entered into. One tactic which may be of use if to
use the questions above as a cheat sheet; remembering the three core questions might be easy, but the
follow-up questions can be stored for use as required. Using them as a template for a form on which to
compile written reflection can be a useful strategy, as the writing process helps to formalise ideas,
and the outcomes may be stored away for later reference, or else as evidence that reflection has been
entered into.

Evaluation of Rolfe’s Cycle

The core advantages of the Rolfe model relate to its simplicity and clarity. Reflective tools need to be
accessible and useful to the user, and to produce meaningful results. A simple model such as this can
support that. Issues related with the model include the idea that if applied only at the level of the
three core questions, then a full inventory of the situation being reflected upon may not take place,
and the insight produced as a consequence might tend to the simplistic or descriptive.

Rolfe’s own writing indicates that is important not only to consider reflection after the event, but
reflection in the moment – as an event is taking place – so that immediate corrective action may be
considered. For Rolfe, though, this model does not fully articulate the position due to its simplicity,
reflection is not only a summary practice, but to be engaged with proactively (Rolfe, 2002).