It really depends on what one wants to achieve.
If you are interesting in sparring or fighting competitions, then you want short turnover time. some basic punches, kicks and throws. understanding the rules and spar away. the more you fight/spar, the better you are, so you may keep a sparring log and attend matches in a sparring/fight club.
If you are to promote, progagate or "move" the traditions of a style in a new direction or add more stuff etc. Then you are into research, try and error etc. The process will be ongoing till late lifetime.
Dong Hai Chuan had some finer stuff of Ba Gua Zhang passed to Liang Zhen Pu, the final student.
each practitioner may add their experiences from practicing and interpretations, Such as Hong Jun Sheng wrote new classics in 3 character poems for Chen Tai Ji.
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So it really upto the teacher and the dedicated/talented students to take the things the way they both want.
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