The lessons-learned process: An effective countermeasure against avoidable risk

The engineering and operation of extremely complex and technically advanced systems pose unknown risks, and we must accept the likelihood of design errors throughout the life cycle. Expensive mistakes and lost opportunities are less acceptable, however, when it is discovered that the enterprise already knew how to avoid them. The lessons learned process performs a major role in communicating information essential to successful system design and development- especially under a compressed project schedule. This paper identifies success factors in the design and implementation of an effective lessons learned process and summarizes current research on tools for infusing enterprise-wide use of the lessons.