Lessons learned, according to PMI, is the learning gained from the process of performing the project. Lessons learned may be identified and documented at any point during the project’s life cycle. The purpose of documenting lessons learned is to share and use knowledge derived from experience to promote the recurrence of desirable outcomes and preclude the recurrence of undesirable outcomes in future projects. Therefore, lessons learned should draw on both positive and negative experiences.
3Targets follows a three-step methodology to establish a lessons learned system:
- Identification and documentation: best practice is to build a system for collecting lessons learned from all stakeholders during the project lifecycle. In some cases, however, a post-project lessons-learned meeting is also required, and is sometimes the only available tool to collect lessons learned.
- Analysis and validation: not all identified lessons learned are valid. This requires a robust procedure to analyze and validate lessons learned, and to categorize and rank them.
- Dissemination and reuse: This includes incorporating the validated lessons learned into a central lessons learned log for future use of projects, as well as using them in regular training programs to enhance organizational knowledge.
3Targets provides client organizations with the required tools, procedures, training and supervision to implement this methodology and also continues cooperation to ensure maturity of the lessons learned system in the target organization.