Lessons Learnt in Project Management

This document discusses the lessons learnt in project management, including areas such as planning, communication, and reflection. It provides strategies for improvement and recommendations for effective project management. The document also highlights the importance of communication and collaboration in project success.

Lessons Learnt
TERM 2 ASS_3
LESSONS LEARNT
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Student Number Insert student number
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Lessons Learnt
Table of Contents
1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
2A. LESSONS LEARNT: FRAMEWORK.........................................................................................3
2b. LESSONS LEARNT: FRAMEWORK (con’t)..............................................................................4
3.1 Lesson 1..........................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Lesson 1: IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY.....................................................................................5
4.1 Lesson 2..........................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Lesson 2: IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY.....................................................................................7
5.1 Lesson 3..........................................................................................................................................8
5.2 Lesson 3: IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY.....................................................................................8
6. Conclusion......................................................................................................................................10
7. Recommendations..........................................................................................................................10
8. References......................................................................................................................................11
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Lessons Learnt
1. INTRODUCTION
Projects are composed of a number of different elements. In order to successfully
execute and accomplish the projects, it is necessary that the project areas are well
understood. The course provided an opportunity to study and acquire the in-depth
information on Project Management and all of the project areas. The report covers the
lessons learnt during the course along with the improvement areas and strategies that
were applied (Mascia, 2014).
2A. LESSONS LEARNT: FRAMEWORK
2.1 How I planned to gather and document lessons learnt
When I planned to
identify and collect
lessons learnt
Who I planned to involve
in the process of
gathering lessons
How I planned to
document lessons
I made sure that the
reflection and lessons
learnt were carried right
from the beginning of the
project.
I intended to include the
fellow students and the
guide of the course in the
process of the collection of
the lessons.
Standardization is
something that I have
always tried to maintain
and that is why I decided to
use the standard template
circulated during the
course to document the
lessons learnt. I believed
that it would streamline the
process to a great extent.
2B. LESSONS LEARNT: FRAMEWORK (CON’T)
2.2 What actually happened?
When I identified and
collected lessons learnt
Who I involved in the
process of gathering
lessons
How I documented
lessons
I used standard template to
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Lessons Learnt
I could succeed in the
execution of the lessons
learnt process as I had
decided. I took notes write
from the project start-up to
make sure that I did not
miss out on any of the
lessons.
Fellow students and guides
were a part of lessons
learnt process. There were
also external entities in the
form of management
experts and organization
resources that were
involved in the process.
document the lessons
learnt. I made sure that the
details were correctly
included and put across.
For this purpose, I ensured
that the information was
brief and concise and valid
details were included at all
times.
3.1 LESSON 1
1. Situation 2. The situation made me
feel…
3. What I learnt from
reflecting on the
situation
The course focussed upon
the various phases of the
project management
process. I could gain an
understanding on the
classification of the
activities in each phase
and the repercussions that
may come up when not
following a phased
approach.
I was initially confused to
classify the activities to be
put in the initiation phase
and planning phase. I also
inter-mixed the two phases
during the initial period of
the course. Also, I found
certain ambiguities in the
sub-activities that are
defined for the project
planning phase for the
management of each of
the project areas
(Gowrishankar, 2012).
I could learn that a project
is composed of several
entities and elements and
the use of phased
approach is done to set up
short-term goals for the
project that are usually
easier to achieve. I could
also understand the
classification of the project
activities and the allocation
of these activities to
various phases in the
project as included in the
course content (McClory,
Read & Labib, 2017).
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Lessons Learnt
3.2 LESSON 1: IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY
1.
Improvement
strategy
2. How to
measure if the
strategy works
3. Why the
strategy is
achievable
4. Relevance of
strategy to
address the
lesson
5. When the
strategy will be
implemented
To read through
the course
material to
obtain an
understanding
of the various
phases of
project
management
and the
activities
defined under
each of these
phases.
To apply these
learning in the
practical
activities.
The applications
will highlight the
gaps in the
initial practical
projects and
applications and
the fulfilment of
these gaps will
be easily done.
The study of the
course material
will provide an
in-depth
understanding
of the project
phases and the
associated
project
activities.
At the beginning
of the course.
4.1 LESSON 2
1. Situation 2. The situation made me
feel…
3. What I learnt from
reflecting on the
situation
Reflection was one of the
significant processes
during the entire course
timeline and the relevance
of individual, group, and a
team could be identified
I used to believe that
reflection is always an
exercise that is carried out
by an individual. However,
it is better to include the
peers and fellow entities in
the process to reflect in a
I could understand the
positive and negative
approach that I was
following during the course
with collaborating with the
fellow students and
members engaged in the
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Lessons Learnt
during the reflection
exercises.
better way (Noble & Gill,
2007).
course. I could understand
the improvement areas
and the strategies that I
could adapt in order to
learn and gain better from
the course.
4.2 LESSON 2: IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY
1.
Improvement
strategy
2. How to
measure if the
strategy works
3. Why the
strategy is
achievable
4. Relevance of
strategy to
address the
lesson
5. When the
strategy will be
implemented
To reflect on the
course activities
and learnings in
phases covering
individual
reflection, group
reflection, and
team reflection.
To document
the lessons
learnt and
reflection
outcomes and
to submit the
same to the
guide for
approvals and
feedback.
The guide will
be able to
provide
comments and
feedback on the
reflection
exercise which
will assist in the
identification
and fulfilment of
the gaps (Mas,
Mesquida,
Jovanovic &
Barcelo, 2016).
The strategy will
allow the
reflection
process to be
extensive and
also in
accordance with
the demands of
the course.
After the
completion of
the first
reflection
process during
the course.
5.1 LESSON 3
1. Situation 2. The situation made me
feel…
3. What I learnt from
reflecting on the
situation
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Lessons Learnt
Communication is a key
activity that is required in
every personal and
professional process and
plays a great role in the
success or failure of the
same.
I used to feel confused and
irritated during the course
when I could not grasp
certain elements or
particular details during the
course timeline. I did not
interact with the fellow
students and the guide
during the initial days.
Communication is
necessary and shall be
maintained during the
personal and professional
activities. The use of
effective communication in
every process makes sure
that ambiguities are
avoided and the clarity is
enhanced. It also leads to
the improvements in
perfromance (Scales,
2011).
5.2 LESSON 3: IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY
1.
Improvement
strategy
2. How to
measure if the
strategy works
3. Why the
strategy is
achievable
4. Relevance of
strategy to
address the
lesson
5. When the
strategy will be
implemented
To develop
communication
plan and
guidelines for
the course for
interaction with
the peers,
seniors, and the
guides.
To obtain
feedback from
the entities
being
communicated
in terms of the
interactivity and
responsiveness
during the
course.
Feedback
exercise is
common in such
courses and
can be followed
by the other
students as
well.
The details of
the positive and
negative
aspects will be
clear to make
improvements
in the
communication
efforts and
processes
accordingly
(Osipova &
During the
beginning of the
course.
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Lessons Learnt
Eriksson, 2013).
6. CONCLUSION
The course provided an insight in various areas and elements of project management. It
also provided an opportunity to understand personal pros and cons in terms of overall
management, communication, understanding, and knowledge. There were various lessons
that could be acquired during the course which will allow the personal and professional
development. Also, the interaction with the fellow students and guides led to knowledge
sharing and enhancement of the knowledge. The lessons on project management can now
be applied in a practical manner (Duffield & Whitty, 2015).
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that there is use of automated communication tools that is done in such
courses along with the setting up of a group on the social media platforms. The use of
such tools and platforms will provide the opportunity to interact with the fellow students
and guides. There shall also be an ice-breaking session that shall be organized by the
management and administration so that enhanced levels of communication and
collaboration can be experienced. It is also recommended that the use of course material
and information is adequately done and there is special focus put on the documentation
activities. The documentation that is carried out may be used for reference in the future as
well. The members shall also use group activities and team discussions so that the overall
interaction is enhanced and the students succeed in acquiring more about the course and
the information covered in the same.
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Lessons Learnt
8. REFERENCES
Duffield, S., & Whitty, S. (2015). Developing a systemic lessons learned knowledge model for
organisational learning through projects. International Journal Of Project Management,
33(2), 311-324. doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.07.004
Gowrishankar. (2012). Learning from Lessons Learned: Project Management Research Program.
American Journal Of Economics And Business Administration, 4(1), 13-22. doi:
10.3844/ajebasp.2012.13.22
Mas, A., Mesquida, A., Jovanovic, M., & Barcelo, J. (2016). Lessons learned from 4-year
empowering project management with TALAIA OpenPPM. Journal Of Software: Evolution
And Process, 28(11), 981-989. doi: 10.1002/smr.1827
Mascia, A. (2014). Project manager: leader, influencer and conflict manager. PROJECT MANAGER
(IL), (20), 19-23. doi: 10.3280/pm2014-020007
McClory, S., Read, M., & Labib, A. (2017). Conceptualising the lessons-learned process in project
management: Towards a triple-loop learning framework. International Journal Of Project
Management, 35(7), 1322-1335. doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.05.006
Noble, R., & Gill, A. (2007). Best Practices in Project Management: Lessons Learned in Hospital
Construction. Healthcare Quarterly, 10(1), 58-65. doi: 10.12927/hcq..18650
Osipova, E., & Eriksson, P. (2013). Balancing control and flexibility in joint risk management:
Lessons learned from two construction projects. International Journal Of Project
Management, 31(3), 391-399. doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2012.09.007
Scales, J. (2011). Project management frameworks and practitioner preferences for capturing
lessons learned on projects. Journal Of Project, Program & Portfolio Management, 1(2), 31.
doi: 10.5130/pppm.v1i2.1931
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