Lessons Learned: AKA “Next Time, Let’s Not Do That”
You did it. You survived being a volunteer-told Project Manager.
The meetings, the stakeholders, the budgets, the go-live chaos — all of it.
Now comes the last step of the project: the lessons learned session.
(It’s like group therapy, but with more PowerPoint.)
1. The Point of Lessons Learned
It’s not about finger-pointing. It’s about figuring out what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do differently next time.
Think of it as future-you sending a love letter to future-project-you.
2. Ask the Right Questions
Keep it simple:
- What went well?
- What didn’t go so well?
- What should we do differently next time?
That’s it. You don’t need a 50-slide deck. You just need honesty.
3. Capture the Good Stuff Too
Lessons learned isn’t just about mistakes. Celebrate what went right:
- “Weekly updates actually helped.”
- “Karen brought donuts.”
- “We survived scope creep without crying (much).”
This makes people more willing to share the “what didn’t work” parts.
4. Document, Don’t Bury
Too many lessons learned end up in a forgotten folder.
Make yours easy to find — share it, highlight it, and actually use it next time.
5. Keep It Light (When You Can)
Projects are serious, but lessons learned don’t have to feel like a trial. Humor goes a long way in helping people open up.
Closing Thought
Lessons learned is how you grow from being a deer-in-headlights “volunteer-told” PM to someone who’s actually equipped for the next round.
And that’s the whole point of this Bible: to help you survive, laugh, and maybe even thrive the next time someone says…
“Congrats, you’re the Project Manager!”