Lessons Learned

Every single project management course will sing the praises of a Lessons Learned or Evaluation report to be carried out at the end of a project – there are loads of reasons why they benefit future projects and add to the project team’s learning. So why are they so rarely carried out? Lack of time? Lack of willingness to admit any mistakes?
Firstly, make time – add it in to your project plan and ensure all the stakeholders are included in the input so that good work can be praised and not-so-good work can be analysed and refined. And secondly, it’s not a blame game – giving praise will automatically allow people to objectively review their own work and agree where improvements can be made. It takes a strong project manager to admit to their own mistakes but it will also encourage and engender a more open and honest project environment.