An Analysis of Lessons Learned Programs in the Construction Industry, Second Edition
Lessons Learned (LL) is knowledge gained from experience, successful or otherwise, for the purpose of improving future performance. In an effort to promote success and achievement, each company should develop a Lessons Learned Program (LLP). A LLP involves the people, processes, and tools that support an organization’s collection, analysis, and implementation of validated lessons learned. People possess the organizational knowledge. The processes must be structured to allow people to easily collect, analyze, and share knowledge. The program tools must then allow the knowledge transfer between individuals.
Despite the fact that many engineering and construction organizations recognize the importance of LLPs, few have been successful in systematically identifying and transferring knowledge from current projects to future projects. However, many organizations outside of the construction arena have successfully implemented LLPs, such as the U.S. Department of Energy; United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines Corps, and Coast Guard; the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Federal Highway Administration.
This research showed that LLPs are probably more prevalent and more formal today than the previous research demonstrated. Collection was found to be collected electronically with analysis usually occurring at the end of project execution. Implementation typically occurs in meetings with changes to work processes. A distinct difference was noted between organizations with formal LLPs versus those with informal LLPs.
Overall, LLPs are essential to the construction industry. The key to achieving an effective and sustainable LLP is the degree of continuing commitment and leadership from the organization’s top management. LLs will become even more important as employees age and retire and turnover increases. Additionally, globalization also increases the need for LLPs to ensure that an organization is able to address critical issues such as culture, language, distance, and diversity.
