Effective Management Practices and Technologies for Lessons Learned Programs
LLPs are prevalent among many construction organizations with 94% of the evaluated organizations using some type of lessons learned process to facilitate improvement within their organizations. (RS230-1, p. 5)
An organization benefits from lessons learned most when they follow a documented, formalized three-step process; collection, analysis, and implementation. Implementation is typically less advanced than collection and analysis.
- Collection involves gathering data and information on the experiences of individuals and teams in the organization. Collection can occur at multiple stages of project execution.
- Analysis can be performed by a team or a subject matter expert (SME). This step is necessary to ensure the information gathered is relevant, correct, and easily understood.
- Implementation can involve changes in practices and procedures or changes in the project execution. Lessons learned should be implemented quickly to ensure they are helpful for the organization.
Every organization should move forward in developing or improving a lessons learned program. (RS230-1, p. 22)
- Leadership, top-level and tactical, is the most important prerequisite for success of these programs.
- Organizations should become “teaching" organizations, rather than organizations that only collect or learn from the past in an ad hoc or passive manner.
- Organizations should adopt an active implementation strategy for ensuring that lessons are used.
- Although technology is important in developing and using an LLP, the importance of organizational culture should not be underestimated.
- The quality of lessons learned is more important than the quantity of lesson in the database.
- Both owners and contractors can benefit from lessons learned programs. Necessarily, the captured lessons learned will be focused in different areas based on the business needs of the organization.
There are 7 key areas that affect the success of lessons learned programs:
- Leadership
- Lesson collection
- Lesson analysis
- Lesson implementation
- Resources
- Maintenance and improvement
- Culture
All of these areas must be addressed by an organization to effectively implement a lessons learned program. These 7 characteristics are the basis for the Maturity Model. (RS230-1, p. 17).
