Sample Lessons Learned Questions

Ron Parks

Questions would be selected based on the type and size of the project.
Lessons Learned should not just be concerning with what did not go well.

1. General Processes
   • What would you say were the most critical factors for project success?
   • Which tools or techniques worked well?
   • Were there organizational obstacles that made it difficult to complete the project
   • Were roles and responsibilities clearly defined?
2. Control
   • Were there scope changes that impacted the schedule?
   • Did stakeholders have appropriate input into the project planning process?
   • Was risk controlled adequately?
   • Did the project meet all original scheduled milestones/deadlines?
   • Were all issues resolved in a timely manner?
   • Were there project staffing issues?
3. Communications
   • Were communications adequate in all activities?
   • Were status and issues communicated in a timely manner
   • Was the communications style appropriate for all parties?
4. Requirements
   • Were requirements documented clearly?
   • Were test plans adequate?
5. Overall
   • Was the project a success?
   • Were project objectives met?
   • Be sure to ask for input on "What Went Right"

     Irina Naydich

Space for Irina

Greg Bronson

Space for Greg

Micci Bogard

Space for Micci

Lisa Stensland

Survey Questions from PS 8.9 Upgrade

These questions were used in an on-line survey and folks had to answer on a scale from 1-5 (1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree) except where otherwise noted.
OVERALL PROJECT ASSESSMENT

• Overall, this project was a success.
• I would want to be involved in another project of this nature.
• Project successes were recognized.
• (Open-Ended) What factors most contributed to the success of this project?
• (Open-Ended) What was difficult or frustrating in this project that we could have prevented?
• (Open-Ended) Based on what you know now, what should have been done differently in this project?
  LEADERSHIP
• The project manager was involved at the right level of the project.
• The lead for my area was involved at the right level of the project.
• The lead for my area clearly defined assignments.
• The lead for my area kept me well informed of the project status.
• Issues raised to the project leadership were addressed appropriately.
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?
  COMMUNICATION
• For the overall project, I received the right information from the right people at the right time.
• Within my area, I received the right information from the right people at the right time.
• Meetings I attended regarding the project were useful.
• Project status reports were useful.
• I knew where to go to get information on the project.
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?
  STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION
• The users of the PeopleSoft system were adequately involved in this project.
• The PeopleSoft directors were adequately involved in this project.
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?
  PROJECT PLANNING
• I was adequately involved in the planning process.
• Being involved in the project planning was beneficial for me.
• The project planning effort resulted in a realistic plan.
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?
  PROJECT CONTROL
• Management of project scope was effective.
• Management of project budget was effective.
• Management of project schedule was effective.
• Management of project resourcing was effective.
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?
  PROJECT RESOURCING
• Roles and responsibilities were clearly defined.
• Staffing in my area was sufficient for this project.
• The appropriate people were assigned to the tasks in my area.
• My ideas and concerns were fairly addressed.
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?
  PROJECT SCHEDULE
• The project schedule was clearly defined.
• Adjustments to the schedule were made when needed.
• I knew what I needed to do and by when.
• I received deliverables from my co-workers in a timely manner.
• I was able to do my work at a comfortable pace.
  TESTING
• Developing the test strategy was valuable.
• Developing the test plan was valuable.
• The system/parallel testing effort was well-coordinated.
• The system/parallel testing effort throughly covered all areas.
• The system/parallel testing effort prevented major surprises from arising in production.
• Issues uncovered in testing were escalated to CIT effectively.
• Issues uncovered in testing were resolved promptly.
• Issues uncovered in testing were resolved correctly.
• (Open-Ended) In what areas should we have tested more?
• (Open-Ended) In what areas did we spend too much time testing?
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?
  CUTOVER
• For cutover weekend, planning was done well.
• For cutover weekend, execution was done well.
• For cutover weekend, communication was done well.
• I was prepared to do my job on Day 1.
• I was able to do my job on Day 1 without any major issues.
  RELIABILITY AND QUALITY
• We have now been in production with PeopleSoft 8.9 for about 2 months. Compared to what you expected, how is the system quality and reliability? (Possible answers: "Better than I expected", "About what I expected", "Worse than I expected")
• (Open-Ended) What details, if any, would you like to provide regarding the answers you chose?