Lessons Learned

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Lessons Learned

• Group 3
• Jason Ford
• Tom Kirkland
• Torrey Maggard
• Matthew Reilly

2
Learning Objectives

• Definition of Lessons Learned
• Integration into the PM Process
• Views of Lessons Learned Process
• Key Terms
• Key Items in a Lessons Learned Report
• Benefits to Lessons Learned Meetings

3
Learning Objectives contd

• Ground Rules
• Key Practices
• Barriers to Lessons Learned
• Real World Example
• Conclusions
• Questions

4
Definition of Lessons Learned

• What do we mean by Lessons Learned?
• The recording of project specific lessons gained
• The recording of team lessons gained
• The recording of any lessons gained that may be
  of benefit to future project teams
• The presentation of the lessons learned

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Integration into the PM Process

• Where does the lessons learned process fit into
  project management?
• Change Control, Scope Change Control, Schedule
  Control, Cost Control, Quality Assurance
• Causes of variances
• Corrective actions
• Reasoning behind corrective actions
• Lessons learned that can improve future
  performance
• ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSURE!!!

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Views of Lessons Learned

• Historical view
• Afterthought
• Unimportant
• Unnecessary
• PMIs View
• Critical to success of future projects
• Critical to success of future project teams
• Integral part of Project Management

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Key Terms

• Project Goals
• Scope
• Time
• Cost
• Success Criteria/Acceptance Criteria
• Focuses more on scope of the project
• deliverables
• Action Items

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Key Items

• Agenda
• Reflection on Project Goals
• Was the Project a Success
• What Went Right
• What Went Wrong
• Variables That Affected the Project
• Reason Behind Corrective Action
• Tools and Techniques Used in the Project
• Personal Words of Wisdom

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Benefits to Lessons Learned

• Documents the Project for Transfer of Knowledge
• Identifies Strengths and Weakness
• Identifies Opportunity and Threats
• Decomposes the project into specific areas and
  then shows the relationship to the total project.
  
• Develop action items for the next project

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Ground Rules

• No harm to anyone
• Constructive comments
• Comments add value to future projects
• Patience while others are speaking

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Key Practices

• Collection
• Sources internal and external
• Verification
• Establishing Standards
• Maintenance
• Storage
• Categorization, indexing, formatting, and
  structure
• Dissemination Search!
• User Access
• Feedback
• Reuse!

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Key Practices

• Reward and recognize the efforts of the team
• Allow people time to let their feelings out
• Capture thoughts/comments on paper or whiteboard
• Allow enough time for everyone to participate
• Participation from all levels of the project

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Barriers to Lessons Learned

• Resistance to Change
• Perceived lack of Benefit
• Cultural
• Lack of Trust

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Barriers to Lessons Learned

• Reluctance to Share Negative Lessons
• Intolerance for mistakes
• Lack of time for to identify, collect, and share
• Maintenance Issues
• System for Collecting, Cataloging, and Retrieval
• Push to start next project!

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Real World Example - NASA

• GAO Report NASA Better Mechanisms Needed for
  Sharing Lessons Learned
• Background
• NASA Policies, Procedures, and Systems
• Lessons Learned Not Being Consistently Applied or
  Shared
• Creating an Environment for Lessons Learned
  Through Knowledge Management
• Conclusions and Recommendations

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Real World Example - NASA

• Background
• Faster, Better, Cheaper
• Mars Surveyor Program
• Mishap Investigation
• NASA Efforts to Apply Lessons Learned
• Lessons Learned A Mechanism to Learn From
• Objectives, Scope, Methodology

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Real World Example - NASA

• NASA Policies, Processes, and Systems for Lessons
  Learning and Knowledge Sharing
• NASAs Policies and Procedures Require Lessons
  Learning
• NASA Uses Numerous Methods for Lessons Learned
• Additional Steps Taken by NASA to Facilitate
  Lessons Learning

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Real World Example - NASA

• Lessons Learned Are Not Being Consistently
  Applied Toward Future Program Successes
• Fundamental Weaknesses Exist in NASAs Processes,
  Procedures, and Systems for Lessons Learning

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Real World Example - NASA

• Creating an Environment for Lessons Learning
  Through Knowledge Management
• Principles Could Help Mitigate Fundamental
  Weaknesses in Lessons Learning

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Real World Example - NASA

• Conclusions and Recommendations

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