CPD RESOURCE
Rolfe reflection model: What? So what? Now what?
The Rolfe reflection model for CPD is a simple three-question approach to professional reflection. It helps you move from describing a learning event to understanding why it mattered and planning what to do next, making it a practical choice for concise CPD records and regular learning notes.
This guide is for professionals who want a concise structure for turning learning, feedback, supervision, training or practice experiences into CPD reflection. HandyCPD can help you work through the questions with guided prompts, but you remain responsible for reviewing, editing and approving every record.
Resources support CPD learning and organisation. You review and approve every record.
A strong Rolfe reflection should answer what happened, why it mattered and what will change.
What is the Rolfe reflection model?
Rolfe is a structured reflection model built around three questions. It helps you move from describing an experience to understanding what you learned and what you will do differently, without the length of a multi-stage cycle.
The model is commonly associated with Gary Rolfe and reflective practice in health, social care and broader professional CPD. Reflective frameworks are optional tools that support your thinking; no regulator requires Rolfe specifically.
The three questions in Rolfe's reflection model
Each question builds on the last. You do not need equal length for every section, but skipping “So what?” or “Now what?” often weakens the reflection.
What?: what happened?
Describe the learning event or professional situation in factual, proportionate terms. Focus on what is relevant to your learning, not a full narrative of unrelated detail.
- What was the learning event or professional situation?
- What was your role or involvement?
- What happened that mattered for your learning?
- What context does a reader need to understand the reflection?
CPD relevance: A clear, anonymised description anchors your record so you (or a reviewer) can understand the learning months later without unnecessary detail.
So what?: why did it matter?
Explain why the experience mattered professionally. This is where reflection becomes CPD rather than a diary entry. Connect the event to learning, standards, ethics or how you work.
- What did you learn from the experience?
- How does it connect to professional standards, ethics or service quality?
- What surprised, challenged or confirmed your thinking?
- Why is this worth recording as CPD?
CPD relevance: “So what?” turns an event into professional insight: the difference between noting that something happened and explaining what it means for your practice.
Now what?: what will you do next?
Identify specific, realistic steps you will take as a result of this reflection. Action planning makes the reflection more useful because it shows how learning may influence future practice.
- What will you do differently in similar situations?
- What further learning, reading or supervision do you need?
- What will you continue doing that worked well?
- How will you know whether your practice has changed?
CPD relevance: A concrete “Now what?” closes the loop: reflection should lead to development, not only retrospective description.
How a Rolfe CPD reflection is structured
When people search for a Rolfe reflection model template or a What So What Now What template, they are usually looking for a clear structure to follow, not just the three question names, but a sense of what a complete CPD reflection should contain. A Rolfe-style CPD record typically moves through:
- The activity or experience that prompted the reflection
- What happened: anonymised and proportionate
- So what it meant for learning, standards, practice or development
- Now what will change, continue or be followed up
- Where relevant, a link to professional standards, development goals or how this affects future practice
This is guidance on structure, not a copy-paste or downloadable template. Each part serves a purpose: the activity anchors the record; “What?” captures the event; “So what?” produces insight; “Now what?” turns insight into development.
Rather than leaving you to complete a blank template manually, HandyCPD's Reflection Engine can help you work through the questions with prompts, draft structure and space to review everything in your own words.
When Rolfe works well for CPD
Rolfe works well when…
- You need a shorter CPD reflection or regular learning entry.
- You are capturing supervision themes, feedback or quick course takeaways.
- The practice change is clear and practical.
- You want structure without a full six-stage reflection.
- Gibbs would be more depth than the learning event needs.
Choose a deeper structure when…
- The event was complex or emotionally significant.
- Feelings, evaluation and analysis need more space; Gibbs may fit better.
- Supervision, workplace reporting or formal governance processes apply, not CPD reflection alone.
- Forcing Rolfe onto every entry makes your portfolio harder to maintain.
Rolfe vs Gibbs for CPD reflection
Rolfe reflection model
- Three questions: What? So what? Now what?
- Quicker and more concise.
- Suits shorter CPD entries and straightforward learning.
- Good when you want structure without a full six-stage cycle.
Gibbs reflective cycle
- Six stages: deeper and more exploratory.
- Suits significant or emotionally complex learning events.
- Encourages feelings, evaluation and detailed analysis.
- Good when a CPD record needs substantial reflective depth.
Both models can support CPD when used appropriately. Choose the approach that fits the learning event. See our Gibbs reflective cycle guide for the deeper alternative.
Common mistakes when using Rolfe for CPD
Staying at “What?” and not reflecting
A factual account of events is not a reflection. Move beyond what happened to why it mattered and what you will do differently.
Making “So what?” too vague
General statements like “I learned a lot” add little value. Name the specific learning and how it connects to your practice or development.
Writing an action plan that is too general
“I will communicate better” is not an action plan. Name specific behaviours, follow-up learning or supervision themes you will pursue.
Including identifiable or confidential information
CPD records may be reviewed months later or shared in professional contexts. Remove names, identifiers and unnecessary detail about patients, clients, service users or colleagues.
Treating AI output as final without reviewing it
AI-assisted drafts can help organise thoughts, but they may misrepresent your experience or include inappropriate detail. Edit every section in your own words before treating it as part of your record.
Trying to force Rolfe onto every situation
Not every CPD entry needs a structured reflection. Match the depth of your record to the learning event, and use a deeper framework when the situation warrants it.
Applying Rolfe in HandyCPD
You can start from rough notes, a logged CPD activity, evidence, feedback or a learning experience. The Reflection Engine can guide Rolfe-style prompts; optional AI-assisted drafting helps organise your thoughts, but you review, edit and approve every section before saving. CPD Logging helps you keep reflections linked to structured log cards and evidence.
Professional responsibility and safe AI use
- Anonymise: remove names, identifiers and details that could identify individuals.
- Respect confidentiality: do not paste confidential workplace, client or service-user information into AI tools or CPD records unnecessarily.
- Avoid special-category data: unless you have a lawful basis and understand the risks, do not include health, ethnicity or other special-category information in drafts or examples.
- Review AI outputs: edit for accuracy, completeness and appropriateness before treating any draft as part of your CPD record.
- Keep professional judgement: you decide what is accurate, relevant and appropriate for your practice and professional context.
If you need regulator-specific record-keeping guidance, check current official guidance from your regulator. You may also find our HCPC CPD guide and Social Work England CPD guide useful.
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