Implementation of Lessons Learned Programs

Organizations in the engineering and construction industry cannot afford to make repetitive mistakes on major projects. Conversely, great benefits come from repeating positive project experiences. This need for institutional memory is amplified by the reality that in the course of normal turnover and retirement, people with years of experience leave their organizations.

An effective lessons learned program (LLP) is a critical element in the management of institutional knowledge; it will facilitate the continuous improvement of processes and procedures and provide a direct advantage in an increasingly competitive industry. For organizations that have already developed a lessons learned program, this publication provides a Maturity Model Matrix and Self-Assessment Questionnaire to determine its effectiveness with respect to seven key program characteristics. For organizations without a current program or those wanting to re-examine their existing one, it offers a Jump Start Guide with recommended steps for the development of a program. In addition, a sample Transactional Work Flow Diagram is provided and serves as a roadmap for typical lessons learned transactions. Together, the tools form a framework for organizations to integrate a lessons learned program into their current work processes. When organizations are able to transfer knowledge through a lessons learned program, they can increase project efficiency—an important capacity in the fast-paced engineering and construction industry.