| Admittedly, lessons learned (often dubbed the | | | | Was communication on project progress informative |
| project's "post- mortem analysis") is a task that | | | | and timely? |
| comes after project launch and certainly isn't given as | | | | Did we have the right people assigned to the right |
| much attention. Most project managers fail to do it at | | | | roles? |
| all and get along just fine doing so. So why the focus | | | | Do you think we could have completed this project |
| on it now? | | | | well without one or more of our vendors? |
| Documenting lessons learned is an integral part of the | | | | Building this repository of feedback helps me focus |
| life cycle management of a project and is especially | | | | on areas for improvement and contributes to a |
| helpful to project managers who want to get better | | | | winning relationship with my clients. And trust |
| at their job over time. Just think of the repetitive | | | | me--having that relationship and staying in tune to the |
| nature of their role: project managers end up | | | | needs of my stakeholders makes what could be |
| performing the same sort of tasks in each project, | | | | very difficult project tasks that much easier! But why |
| whether it be building a team, communicating with | | | | else should a lessons learned process be instituted? |
| and managing stakeholders, or hiring third-party | | | | There is already a vast body of knowledge available |
| vendors. With all of these tasks, understanding how | | | | to managers online and in books authored by |
| they succeeded and where they failed will maximize | | | | seasoned PMPs that you can rely on to navigate |
| their performance over time and ultimately improve | | | | through the pitfalls and tests of a project. |
| the efficiency with which they manage our | | | | Using the lessons learned process to build your own |
| assignments. | | | | personal resource with a history of what worked and |
| In my current role as a technical project manager, | | | | what didn't in your projects builds on the already |
| I've led 30+ engagements, some big and some small, | | | | helpful resources. |
| and have worked with many of the same | | | | Don't hesitate to share these gems with PMs in your |
| stakeholder groups in each one. It is very useful for | | | | own organizations to improve their skills. This process |
| me to receive feedback from clients and | | | | also proves even more useful because you actually |
| stakeholders after each project has ended, | | | | experienced the victories and challenges yourself. |
| specifically on topics like the following: | | | | Experience is the best teacher; take advantage of |
| What was the single most frustrating part of our | | | | yours and the experiences of others. |
| project? | | | | |