Project Management Lessons Learned: A Continuous Process Improvement Framework

“Readers can benefit from the expertise of Mel Bost as both a project manager and a PMO practitioner. Kudos to him for bringing us this valuable perspective on lessons learned.” ―Mark Price Perry, Founder, BOT International and author of Business Driven Project Portfolio Management

“Every project ―by definition ―produces a valuable outcome, whether it be a bridge, an app, or a new service. But what author Mel Bost points out so well in this book, is that projects also yield something perhaps even more valuable: lessons learned, enabling an enterprise to execute projects sustainably better, with sustained benefits realization. With a flair for storytelling, Bost uses case studies, templates, and examples from his vast and varied PM and PMO experience to make this book a valuable read for any project manager who wants to consistently master the art and science of project management.” ―Rich Maltzman, co-author of the Cleland Award-Winning Green Project Management as well as Bridging the PM Competency Gap

Project Management Lessons Learned: A Continuous Process Improvement Framework

is intended for project managers, PMO professionals, and students of project management who wish to apply performance-based feedback to their process and project improvements. This feedback is the basis for modern process control theory, which is playing a greater and greater role in process design. Readers can apply the Process Feedback Framework, as well as lesson learned from the book’s case studies, to meet challenges that arise now and in the future.

Special focus is given to technology development in projects and sustainability implications of process design. The book emphasizes rationale for a robust project risk management program which capitalizes on lessons learned. PMO leaders can use the organizational dynamics and systems archetypes applications presented in the book to define project policy standards and procedures to align PMO behaviors with performance objectives.

as both a project manager and a PMO practitioner. Kudos to him for bringing us this valuable perspective on lessons learned.” ―Mark Price Perry, Founder, BOT International and author of Business Driven Project Portfolio Management

“Every project ―by definition ―produces a valuable outcome, whether it be a bridge, an app, or a new service. But what author Mel Bost points out so well in this book, is that projects also yield something perhaps even more valuable: lessons learned, enabling an enterprise to execute projects sustainably better, with sustained benefits realization. With a flair for storytelling, Bost uses case studies, templates, and examples from his vast and varied PM and PMO experience to make this book a valuable read for any project manager who wants to consistently master the art and science of project management.” ―Rich Maltzman, co-author of the Cleland Award-Winning Green Project Management as well as Bridging the PM Competency Gap

Project Management Lessons Learned: A Continuous Process Improvement Framework

is intended for project managers, PMO professionals, and students of project management who wish to apply performance-based feedback to their process and project improvements. This feedback is the basis for modern process control theory, which is playing a greater and greater role in process design. Readers can apply the Process Feedback Framework, as well as lesson learned from the book’s case studies, to meet challenges that arise now and in the future.

Special focus is given to technology development in projects and sustainability implications of process design. The book emphasizes rationale for a robust project risk management program which capitalizes on lessons learned. PMO leaders can use the organizational dynamics and systems archetypes applications presented in the book to define project policy standards and procedures to align PMO behaviors with performance objectives.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO PROCESSES AND PROJECTS AS KEY FACILITATORS OF MODERN LIFE
CHAPTER 2 UNDERSTANDING AND EMPOWERING THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED
CHAPTER 3 WHAT DO I DO IF MY PMO CAN’T EXECUTE?
CHAPTER 4 AVOIDING DISRUPTION OF THE PMO BY ACCIDENTAL ADVERSARIES
CHAPTER 5 IDENTIFYING AND APPLYING LESSONS LEARNED
CHAPTER 6 WHAT IS “LEVERAGE” AND HOW CAN PROJECT MANAGERS USE IT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE?
CHAPTER 7 THE IMPORTANCE OF REFLECTION AND CHANGING ATTITUDES IN LESSONS LEARNED
CHAPTER 8 THE BEST TIME TO DOCUMENT PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED
CHAPTER 9 THE ACTUAL COST TO YOUR PMO FOR NOT CAPTURING AND SHARING PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED
CHAPTER 10 APPLYING PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED AS A BEST PRACTICE FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 11 UNDERSTANDING AND USING THE NEW PROJECT FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 12 RECOGNIZING AND USING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
CHAPTER 13 DILEMMAS AND CHOICES FACED BY PROJECT MANAGERS
CHAPTER 14 IDENTIFYING VALUABLE CANDIDATES FOR PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED
CHAPTER 15 USING THE PROJECT FRAMEWORK TO THE BENEFIT OF ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 16 THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT OF ROLE MODELS ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP
CHAPTER 17 FACILITATING A CLOSER CONNECTION: LESSONS LEARNED, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 18 USING THE PROJECT FRAMEWORK TO FACILITATE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN PROJECTS
CHAPTER 19 USING FACILITATION AND REFRAMING TOWARD PROJECT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
CHAPTER 20 AVOIDING TRAPS WHERE STRUCTURE INFLUENCES BEHAVIOR
CHAPTER 21 LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE APPLICATION OF ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS TO THE BUSINESS CONTINUATION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 22 THE SUSTAINABILITY IMPERATIVE
CHAPTER 23 CONCLUSIONS
CHAPTER 24 SUMMARY
APPENDIX 1 PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED TEMPLATE
APPENDIX 2 A LAYMAN’S GUIDE TO REINFORCING AND BALANCING LOOP BEHAVIOR AND THE RESULTING SYSTEMS ARCHETYPES
APPENDIX 3 SYSTEMS THINKING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS EXAMPLE—TEEN DRIVERS
APPENDIX 4 PROJECT LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE PANAMA CANAL EXPERIENCES
APPENDIX 5 CAPABILITY MATURITY MODEL BACKGROUND AND LEVELS OF MATURITY
APPENDIX 6 RESEARCH AS A MAJOR PROCESS
APPENDIX 7 SCENARIOS WHERE LESSONS LEARNED CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT PERFORMANCE AND OUTCOMES