Lessons learned is the learning gained by carrying out project activities. Often times during a project, valuable learning/experience is gained in the management of an activity, or in your approach to a particular project issue. These experiences may have led to a positive or negative outcome, however regardless of the outcome, the lessons you have learned may be valuable to subsequent research projects that contain similar situations. The purpose of documenting lessons learned is to share and use knowledge derived from experience to:
- Promote the recurrence of desirable outcomes; and
- Preclude the recurrence of undesirable outcomes
It is recommended that these learning experiences be documented and communicated to the relevant project stakeholders at the end of a project. Lessons learned documentation should include the issue, your approach, the outcome, and recommendations for similar situations in the future. It is also recommended that this documentation be carried out during the course of the project to ensure accurate reflection of the project incidents.