What Is Meant by Lessons Learned?

The lessons learned are a result of the closing process. It is a document filled with lections the participants have learned during the project or phase.

The lessons learned document is not intended to reopen existing wounds, but to draw lessons for a future project. The project team therefore asks itself the question "What would you do differently if you could restart the project with today's knowledge?

The following are just a few of the questions that can be discussed in the context of such a Lesson Learned document:

• What was done right?
• What was done wrong?
• What would we do differently next time?
• What risks have occurred?
• Were the measures taken to deal with the risks appropriate?
• What were the technical aspects of the project and how were they managed?
• What was the project management like? Did the WBS contain all important processes?
• Did the communication run smoothly?
• If another project manager was to receive such a project, what advice would you want to give him?