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Lessons Learned Documents: When to look back

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(@mmd55)
Posts: 80
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Topic starter
 

While at work, I was discussing lessons learned documents with my coworkers. They mentioned it being an incredibly useful tool for transferring project knowledge. They then described that despite it being a useful tool, it's very difficult for people to know when to look back and read these documents. Does anyone have any ideas for how to make sure people know to look back at lessons learned documents?

 

Thanks,

Matt

 
Posted : 25/04/2022 8:50 pm
(@devdesai)
Posts: 79
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While I personally have not worked on a project team where a lessons learned document was utilized, If I were a project manager I would make it a practice to always start a project off by having each team member briefly read through the previous document. This way if the members encounter any difficulties that can be solved with advice from the lessons learned document, they will recall reading something relevant and can go back to the document and read it more in depth. 

 
Posted : 01/05/2022 8:28 pm
 njq3
(@njq3)
Posts: 53
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It's always important to look back at any lessons learned document because as you said, knowledge transfer is key. I've seen too many times where a new hire comes onboard and really lacks a lot of critical knowledge that can ease the transition due to no lessons learned documents being available. I feel that if I was a project manager, I would always require a lessons learned document to be made and plus if there are such documents available, to look back at the resources to gain more knowledge. For example, in my time as a validation engineer I would make it a habit to always look back at previous validations to analyze some of the shortcomings in the validation and how to best approach future validation projects.

 
Posted : 01/05/2022 8:36 pm
(@reginabarias)
Posts: 65
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While never have had experience in a lessons learned document, i think this should be applied before every meeting of a big event, or every time the team meets to discuss updates of the project. Having the lessons learned document shows the failures and successes of the entirety and its something each team member should know. I think at meetings it should be addressed for everyone to read the lessons learned, and possibly go around putting feedback. This would allow for people to openly speak on why something was successful or unsuccessful, as well as allow for input on how to improve! 

 
Posted : 04/05/2022 11:46 pm
(@pd222)
Posts: 36
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Lessoned learned documents are incredibly useful for the success and continuation of a project. I remember when I was a part of a senior design capstone project I utilized a similar document to continue a project left by the senior class before me. The document explained all of the success, difficulties, and downfalls of the project which I ended up using religiously for the entire duration of the project. After the project I also wrote a similar lessons learned document for the next group, ensureing I captured the entire ups and downs from the project. From my own experience I say for every project, the team should use the lessons learned document before starting the project so they can accurately plan out the project. Once they plan out what needs to be done then they can use this lessons learned document as a reference as needed. 

 
Posted : 17/04/2023 9:05 pm
(@mk959)
Posts: 36
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Similar to other responses, I also have not had to write a lessons learned document for a job before. From the different courses and projects I have been a part of, I see it to be beneficial for a full lessons learned document at the end of the entire project and smaller "progress reports" once a crucial mistake is made. Having smaller progress reports allows the team to figure out the best course of action to restart a stage in the development process and to figure out how to prevent mistakes in the future. Having complete lessons learned documents due at the end of the project allows the team to reflect upon their negatives and positives to figure out how to make future projects run more reliably and efficiently.

 
Posted : 17/04/2024 2:33 pm
(@atk27njit-edu)
Posts: 63
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This is an issue that has arised with my specific department. A lot of the engineers in the design department would create their models, order them, and it would be used in productions. However, any changes made to that fixture or gauge would not be recorded into the revisions but would just be left on this document that tracks the history of those tools. So, when it came to reordering these tools once they are worn down, they would come with the same problems they faced with the original one and would have to make the same modifications. Its the same analogy as "commenting your code" in which you write out a document or design something in a way in which another person could read and understand it. This is a really useful tool that every engineer needs to work on to become a better engineer. 

 
Posted : 27/04/2024 9:58 am
(@zeinab-amoabediny)
Posts: 26
Eminent Member
 

From the first comment, I believe one approach to address this issue is to have reminders within the workflow. For instance, including regular checkpoints for team members to review lessons learned reinforces the importance of leveraging knowledge. Additionally, establishing a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the team can encourage individuals to seek out and contribute to these resources proactively. All of these can help team members not only in their current projects but also in further contributions.

 
Posted : 29/04/2024 3:26 pm
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