The Basics of Project Evaluation and Lessons Learned

Book excerpt: How do you determine if your project was a success (beyond being within budget and completed on time)? How do you determine the impact of a project? How do you capture valuable knowledge from a current or past project to enhance future programs? The answer to all three questions is through project lessons learned. Recipient of the 2012 PMI David I. Cleland Project Management Literature Award Although lessons learned provide invaluable information for determining the success or failure of projects, a systematic method for conducting lessons learned is critical to the ongoing success of your projects, programs, and portfolios. The Basics of Project Evaluation and Lessons Learned details an easy-to-follow approach for conducting lessons learned on any project, in any organization. Whether your job entails running small projects from a home-based business or managing large projects as a part of an international supply chain, this book will be of great benefit. It outlines a well-indexed strategy to capture, categorize, and control lessons based on best practices. Reinforcing the project standards as outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), the book incorporates the five Project Management Process Groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring/Controlling and Closing). It also integrates the nine Project Management Knowledge Areas—Communications, Cost, Human Resources, Integration, Procurement, Quality, Risk, Scope and Time. Synthesizing essential concepts of project evaluation and lessons learned into an easy-to-follow process, the book: Outlines a practical 10-step process for conducting effective lessons learned Includes a wealth of project job aids, including templates, checklists, forms, and a Project Evaluation Resource Kit (PERK) on the accompanying CD Is supported by a comprehensive website at http://www.lessonslearned.info Based on more than a decade of research supported by renowned experts in the field of evaluation, this practical guide delivers the necessary resources for active engagement. It introduces innovative concepts, improved models, and highlights important considerations to help you gain a multi-dimensional perspective of project evaluation in the context of lessons learned.