Project Management Lessons Learned: A Continuous Process Improvement Framework

236 Pages·2018·3.91 MB·English

by  Mel Bost

Project Management
Lessons Learned

Project Management
Lessons Learned
A Continuous Process Improvement
Framework
Mel Bost
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Bost, Mel, author.
Title: Project management lessons learned : a continuous process
improvement framework / Mel Bost.
Description: Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, [2018] | Includes bibliographical
references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018006945 | ISBN 9781498747776 (hb : alk. paper) |
ISBN 9780429490361 (e)
Subjects: LCSH: Project management. | Leadership. | Organizational
behavior.
Classification: LCC HD69.P75 .B67 2018 | DDC 658.4/04--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018006945
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
http://www.taylorandfrancis.com
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This book is dedicated to my wife Linda Bost, my daughter
Christina H. Bost Seaton, my son-in-law Mike Seaton,
and my granddaughter Quinn Penelope Seaton.
Without their encouragement, this dream
would not have become a reality.

Contents
LIST OF FIGURES xiii
LIST OF TABLES xv
PREFACE xvii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxv
AUTHOR xxvii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO PROCESSES AND PROJECTS
AS KEY FACILITATORS OF MODERN LIFE 1
The Basics of Process 2
The “Dynamics” of Processes 2
The “Sustainability” Implications of Process 3
Processes as Major Components of Individual or
Organizational “Capability” 3
What Is Process Improvement? 4
Capability Maturity and the “Well-Defined” Process 4
The Basic Principle of Process 6
Familiar Impacts of Process on Business 6
Research as an Example of Process 7
The Basics of Projects 8
Organizational Project Management Maturity Model 9
The Basic Principle of Projects 9
Conclusions 10
CHAPTER 2 UNDERSTANDING AND EMPOWERING THE
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) AND
ITS INFLUENCE ON PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED 11
VII
VIII CONTENTS
CHAPTER 3 WHAT DO I DO IF MY PMO CAN’T EXECUTE? 15
CHAPTER 4 AVOIDING DISRUPTION OF THE PMO BY
ACCIDENTAL ADVERSARIES 21
CHAPTER 5 IDENTIFYING AND APPLYING LESSONS LEARNED 27
CHAPTER 6 WHAT IS “LEVERAGE” AND HOW CAN PROJECT
MANAGERS USE IT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE? 31
CHAPTER 7 THE IMPORTANCE OF REFLECTION AND
CHANGING ATTITUDES IN LESSONS LEARNED 35
CHAPTER 8 THE BEST TIME TO DOCUMENT PROJECT
LESSONS LEARNED 39
CHAPTER 9 THE ACTUAL COST TO YOUR PMO FOR NOT
CAPTURING AND SHARING PROJECT LESSONS
LEARNED 43
CHAPTER 10 APPLYING PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED AS A
BEST PRACTICE FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION 47
CHAPTER 11 UNDERSTANDING AND USING THE NEW
PROJECT FRAMEWORK 53
Identifying Significant Events 55
Facts 55
Perspectives 55
Deliverables 57
Identifying Significant Events Related to Risks 57
Identifying Actual versus Expected Results 58
Identifying Gaps 58
Identifying Candidates for Lessons Learned 59
Preparing the Project Lessons Learned Template for
Documentation 59
Qualifying Candidates with an “Actionability” Criterion 60
The Bottom Line 60
Aspects of Facilitation of Project Lessons Learned
Exercises 61
CHAPTER 12 RECOGNIZING AND USING DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES 63
CHAPTER 13 DILEMMAS AND CHOICES FACED BY PROJECT
MANAGERS 69
CHAPTER 14 IDENTIFYING VALUABLE CANDIDATES FOR
PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED 75
Sharing Lessons Learned 76
Storing Lessons Learned 77
CONTENTS IX
Case Studies for Project Lessons Learned 78
Case Study 1: Project Lessons Learned Scenarios
Systems Development 78
Case Study 2: Project Lessons Learned Scenario
New Construction and Installation of
Equipment 80
Case Study 3: Project to Install Fire Suppression
Equipment at a Port 82
CHAPTER 15 USING THE PROJECT FRAMEWORK TO THE
BENEFIT OF ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT 85
Risk Definition 85
Risk Characterization 85
Project Risk Examples 86
CHAPTER 16 THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT OF ROLE MODELS
ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP 89
CHAPTER 17 FACILITATING A CLOSER CONNECTION:
LESSONS LEARNED, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 93
A Similar Process for Comparison 94
The Lessons Learned Process 95
The Risk Management Process 96
The Data and Information Element Process 97
A Better Connection between Risk Management and
Knowledge Management 98
Conclusions 99
CHAPTER 18 USING THE PROJECT FRAMEWORK TO
FACILITATE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN
PROJECTS 101
An “Innovation PMO” Approach to Technology
Development 102
Focus on Stakeholder Needs for Technology Development
Efforts 106
Technology Development—Capturing, Documenting, and
Sharing Lessons Learned 109
Technology Development—Monitoring Risk throughout a
Project 109
Technology Development Project—Project Lessons
Learned Summary 110
Risk Management Exercises 111
Case Study: Defining Project Requirements for a Lessons
Learned Documentation App 111
Case Study—Project Lessons Learned Scenario Technology
Development 112