Building a Lessons-Learned Culture

  Knowledge Management   Lessons Learned   Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)   Knowledge Shelf  

Lessons learned are one of the most valuable, yet misunderstood and under-utilized aspects in project management. Often, project managers focus on the five process groups of the project life cycle (initiation, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing); then, when the project reaches the closing, up pops the checklist item indicating that a lessons learned review should be done as part of good “project management.” Let’s face it: lessons learned can easily become an afterthought, which is sometimes referred to as a “check-the-box” exercise. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)—Fourth edition, mentions lessons learned more frequently; for example, lessons learned can be found in the following Knowledge Areas: Project Quality Management, Project Communications Management, and Project Procurement Management.

This article discusses the three important ways in which lessons learned can become an integral part of your company. First, the timing of lessons learned will be explored so they can be recorded throughout the project. Second, some suggestions are provided about the characterization of lessons learned; that is, capturing key information in a way that makes sense while maintaining morale and confidence in the team’s abilities. Finally, several recommendations will be made to …

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.