| So, the project is at an end and you have assembled | | | | Inside each tab are the following headings |
| the Team to review what went well and what went | | | | - ID Number - Assign each row a unique ID |
| not so well. Stop! Why have you waited until the end | | | | - Description of issue or situation - Describe the issue |
| to capture something as crucial as the Lessons | | | | or situation leading up the the lesson learned |
| Learned? Do you really think that the Team will | | | | - Team response - What was the response of the |
| remember everything they should at this stage let | | | | Team? How did they handle and overcome the |
| alone be motivated enough to impart this knowledge? | | | | problem? |
| Furthermore, it may be difficult to assemble the Team | | | | - Resolution or Outcome - What was the eventual |
| at the end of a project as they may have been | | | | outcome? |
| seconded to a new project. | | | | - Lesson Learned - State how could this issue be |
| Lessons Learned are one of the most overlooked | | | | avoided next time around |
| aspects of Project Management. This can be for a | | | | - Further Comments |
| number of reasons including: | | | | It is the responsibility of the Project Manager to ensure |
| - Lack of time | | | | the Lessons Learned are captured during the life of |
| - No suitable infrastructure to store the Lessons | | | | the project whilst the information is still fresh in the mind |
| - No clear processes in place to capture the Lessons | | | | of the Team Members. Doing this ensures most if not |
| - Lack of resource | | | | all of the lessons are captured ensuring maximum |
| As a Project Manager I make it known from the | | | | value is added to future projects moving forward. |
| outset that I expect Lessons Learned to be captured | | | | Storing Lessons Learned for use buy others |
| as we move through the project. This is essential as | | | | Obviously storing this information in a spreadsheet is |
| the most accurate information can only ever be | | | | fine for everyday use by the Project Manager but it |
| garnered at the time of the event. | | | | would be a nightmare for future PM's to search |
| What to capture and how to capture it | | | | through every spreadsheet from every project the |
| The following is a comprehensive list of what should | | | | organisation has undertaken.Remember also that |
| be tracked and monitored. For smaller projects this will | | | | communication is key here. In order to gain the most |
| be overkill so simply choose what is critical and ignore | | | | from this you must be talking with your Team at every |
| the rest. | | | | opportunity. Keep them involved, solve the issues and |
| - Risks / Issues | | | | problems that arise together and document your |
| - Change Requests | | | | findings. |
| - Supplier issues | | | | That is why upon completion of the project I advise |
| - Any quality defects | | | | importing the various tabs of the spreadsheet into a |
| - Stakeholder identification and management | | | | SQL or Oracle relational database. If you are not |
| - Scope management | | | | familiar with relational databases then your IT |
| - Risk identification and management | | | | Administrator can set one up for you. Suffice to say |
| - Requirements management | | | | however that it is not that hard and allows the |
| - Schedule development and management | | | | information be accessed quite easily. Indeed, you could |
| - Resource allocation | | | | have your IT Department front end the database with |
| - Communication management | | | | a nice web interface and make it available on the |
| - Cost estimating and budget control | | | | company intranet. Remember that the more easily |
| - Quality planning and management | | | | people can access this information and find what they |
| - Change management process | | | | are looking for, the more likely it will be used. This has |
| - Teamwork/team performance | | | | huge consequences for the success of your |
| - Problem solving/issue resolution processes | | | | organisation's future projects and perhaps for the |
| - Conflict Resolution | | | | organisation itself. |
| Each topic is allocated a tab on an excel spreadsheet. | | | | |