I've been doing a max rep set for my final set of the day for each of the main lifts (inspired from 5/3/1). Maybe it's the immediate gratification response of modern living but somehow it's creating a patience for the long-term results. Granted most of these PRs are because I've never attempted max reps at these weights. It will be interesting to see how it plays out in the coming cycles once I'm using certain weights for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th....nth time.
I think it's easier to trust a program that has down weeks followed by up weeks. If I were to do a full 12 weeks and, for whatever reason, have a bad test of progress, that program would be more difficult to trust for a second time through. However, having a bad week, followed by a good week keeps my trust high that a program will work long-term. I think the high frequency of micro-tests helps create that patience and trust. It also takes advantage of auto-regulation and allowing good days when I'm capable, and bad days when I'm not.
Similarly, I think the periodic non-stop swings in S&S are often neglected and provide significant benefits. Or max sets on the Russian Bear, etc. I'm finding a lot of benefit achieving trophies for winning at seemingly insignificant things.