Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Hello colleagues,
Recently, in my area, we Program Managers did a dynamic session with our PMs where we shared best practices. I used a 'Where did I mess up" o "Where did I go wrong' approach (with more colloquial phrases), and it was very well received.
Have you participated in other different orthodox dynamics or activities to share lessons learned? I'm curious to hear about your experiences and what worked well for you.
Francisco
Stop, start, continue is a form/framework that I have found frees up discussions about lessons learned as it prompts attendees to think of their experiences from three separate angles!
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Jun 30, 2025 12:16 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Amanda Loewy yes, I agree, 'Stop, Start, Continue' is a great framework. I've also found that it really helps to make discussions about lessons learned more open and productive, because it makes people think about their experiences from those three clear angles. It's a very effective way to get insights.Thanks! Francisco,
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Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Today, the best way to use lessons learned, is to create a system based on generative AI. Just to remember, all AI solutions are based on data then the initiative must be considered from that point.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Jul 02, 2025 12:38 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Sergio Luis Conte that's an excellent idea! Using generative AI for lessons learned sounds very promising. I will definitely look into proposing this in my organization. Thank you very much for this contribution! Francisco.
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Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Excellent approach, Francisco Herrera — turning vulnerability into collective learning is a powerful leadership practice.
There are alternative formats that can help energize the sharing of lessons learned, especially when we want to move beyond the rigidity of formal reports or overly technical sessions. Here are three that have worked very well:
- "Museum of Failures" – Each team member brings a symbolic “artifact” representing something that didn’t go well in a project. We create a visual and interactive space where the focus is on extracting insights — not pointing fingers. Humor and lightness help reduce defensiveness.
- "Futures Retrospective" – Instead of only looking back, we use lessons learned to simulate possible futures: “If we applied this lesson today, what would our next project look like?” This connects experience with strategic foresight.
- "Letters to a New PM" – Each member writes a short letter offering advice based on their own mistakes or successes. This practice often sparks deep — even emotional — reflections, while building an empathetic and human knowledge repository.
I really appreciate your “Where did I go wrong?” approach to opening up honest conversations. When leaders model this kind of openness, they create psychologically safe environments and unlock real learning.
Congratulations on the initiative — and thank you for opening up this space for exchange!
for these excellent approaches! I really like all of them.
The 'Museum of Failures,' 'Futures Retrospective,' and 'Letters to a New PM' are very creative ways to share lessons learned, going beyond rigid reports. I agree that they create a psychologically safe environment and really help with learning. Thanks for these great ideas! Francisco.
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Jun 27, 2025 9:23 PM
Replying to Amanda Loewy
...
Stop, start, continue is a form/framework that I have found frees up discussions about lessons learned as it prompts attendees to think of their experiences from three separate angles!
Amanda Loewy yes, I agree, 'Stop, Start, Continue' is a great framework. I've also found that it really helps to make discussions about lessons learned more open and productive, because it makes people think about their experiences from those three clear angles. It's a very effective way to get insights.Thanks! Francisco, Saving Changes...
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Jun 28, 2025 12:57 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
...
Today, the best way to use lessons learned, is to create a system based on generative AI. Just to remember, all AI solutions are based on data then the initiative must be considered from that point.
Sergio Luis Conte that's an excellent idea! Using generative AI for lessons learned sounds very promising. I will definitely look into proposing this in my organization. Thank you very much for this contribution! Francisco. Saving Changes...
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Jun 28, 2025 4:10 AM
Replying to Luis Branco
...
Excellent approach, Francisco Herrera — turning vulnerability into collective learning is a powerful leadership practice.
There are alternative formats that can help energize the sharing of lessons learned, especially when we want to move beyond the rigidity of formal reports or overly technical sessions. Here are three that have worked very well:
- "Museum of Failures" – Each team member brings a symbolic “artifact” representing something that didn’t go well in a project. We create a visual and interactive space where the focus is on extracting insights — not pointing fingers. Humor and lightness help reduce defensiveness.
- "Futures Retrospective" – Instead of only looking back, we use lessons learned to simulate possible futures: “If we applied this lesson today, what would our next project look like?” This connects experience with strategic foresight.
- "Letters to a New PM" – Each member writes a short letter offering advice based on their own mistakes or successes. This practice often sparks deep — even emotional — reflections, while building an empathetic and human knowledge repository.
I really appreciate your “Where did I go wrong?” approach to opening up honest conversations. When leaders model this kind of openness, they create psychologically safe environments and unlock real learning.
Congratulations on the initiative — and thank you for opening up this space for exchange!
for these excellent approaches! I really like all of them.
The 'Museum of Failures,' 'Futures Retrospective,' and 'Letters to a New PM' are very creative ways to share lessons learned, going beyond rigid reports. I agree that they create a psychologically safe environment and really help with learning. Thanks for these great ideas! Francisco.
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