Turning Lessons Learned into Best Practices

Problem:    How do we translate Lessons learned into concrete actions to improve processes and projects (best practices)?

Approach:  

Take lessons learned and modify Best Practices and Standards by Project Type

(Insert Diagram) Lessons Learned - > Best Practices  ->   Project Standards by project type

Project Standards

• CPMM
• SOW
• WBS
• ENV
• Equip
• Communications Plan
• QA Standards
• Development Standards
• Other Standards

Proj Types:

• Small Projects
• Upgrades
• Large Projects
• Custom Development
• Vendor Product Implementations

Recognized that standards and best practices can be either public or private

• Some sensitive material may not be able to be published
• Need mechanism to store and share both types of LLs

Lessons Learned should include all aspects of projects

• Analysis processes
• Development processes
• QA Processes
• Implementation processes

Process:

Best Practices

• Form Working group to collect best practices and create a first draft in confluence.  We recommend the Project management SIG to be this working group.
• Best practices should include any project related templates. Practices and templates should be categorized by project type when applicable.
• PM SIG reviews LLs periodically
• PM SIG agrees on best practices changes
• Implement changes
  

Mentoring program:

• Project Catalog - List of who did what project by project type and date.
  
• Encourage PMs to conduct a knowledge transfer session, when beginning a project, with a PM that has done a similar project recently.
  
  

Recommended next steps

• Form PM Sig  and make the LL process part of its charter
• Collect Best Practices
• Create Project Templates by project type
• Create Project questionaire/checklist by type