Learn from Experience is one of the seven fundamental principles in PRINCE2 7 that guides how projects should be managed effectively. This principle emphasizes that project teams must actively seek, record, and apply lessons throughout the entire project lifecycle to improve performance and avoid r…Learn from Experience is one of the seven fundamental principles in PRINCE2 7 that guides how projects should be managed effectively. This principle emphasizes that project teams must actively seek, record, and apply lessons throughout the entire project lifecycle to improve performance and avoid repeating past mistakes.
The principle operates across three distinct timeframes. First, when starting a project, teams should look for lessons from previous similar projects within the organization or from external sources. This helps identify potential risks, effective practices, and pitfalls to avoid. Second, during the project execution, teams should continuously capture lessons as they emerge from day-to-day activities. This real-time learning allows for adjustments and improvements while the project is still in progress. Third, as the project closes, teams must document and share lessons learned so future projects can benefit from the accumulated knowledge.
Implementing this principle requires creating a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing both successes and failures. Organizations should establish mechanisms for storing and retrieving lessons, making them accessible to future project teams. The Project Manager plays a crucial role in fostering this learning environment and ensuring lessons are actively sought and applied.
The benefits of applying this principle include reduced risk of repeating costly errors, improved efficiency through proven practices, better decision-making based on historical evidence, and continuous organizational improvement. It transforms individual project experiences into organizational knowledge assets.
Practically, this means maintaining a lessons log throughout the project, conducting regular reviews to identify what is working well and what needs improvement, and ensuring handover documentation includes valuable insights for operational teams. By embedding learning into standard project practices, organizations build capability and maturity in project delivery over time.
Learn from Experience - PRINCE2 Foundation V7 Principle
What is Learn from Experience?
Learn from Experience is one of the seven PRINCE2 principles that underpins successful project management. This principle emphasizes that project teams should actively seek, record, and apply lessons from previous projects and the current project itself. It recognizes that projects are unique endeavors, but valuable knowledge can still be transferred from past experiences to improve future outcomes.
Why is Learn from Experience Important?
This principle is crucial because:
• It prevents teams from repeating the same mistakes • It enables continuous improvement across the organization • It helps identify what works well and should be replicated • It creates organizational value beyond the project deliverables • It supports better decision-making based on evidence rather than assumptions • It contributes to building organizational project management maturity
How Does Learn from Experience Work?
The principle operates throughout the project lifecycle in three key ways:
1. When Starting a Project: Teams should review lessons from previous similar projects. This includes consulting lesson logs, speaking with experienced colleagues, and examining what went well or poorly in comparable initiatives.
2. During the Project: Lessons should be captured continuously as the project progresses. Stage assessments provide opportunities to reflect on performance and incorporate improvements into subsequent stages.
3. When Closing the Project: A comprehensive lessons report should be produced and shared with the organization so future projects can benefit from the knowledge gained.
Key Elements to Remember:
• Lessons should be actively sought, not just passively recorded • Both positive and negative experiences provide valuable lessons • Lessons must be documented in a lessons log • The Project Board has responsibility for ensuring lessons are identified and acted upon • Lessons should be shared across the organization
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Learn from Experience
Tip 1: Remember that this principle applies to ALL stages of a project - before, during, and after. Questions may test whether you understand this continuous application.
Tip 2: Know the difference between a lessons log (used during the project) and a lessons report (produced at project closure).
Tip 3: Watch for questions about WHO is responsible for lessons. The Project Board ensures lessons are identified, while the Project Manager maintains the lessons log.
Tip 4: If a scenario describes a project team making the same errors as a previous project, this indicates a failure to apply the Learn from Experience principle.
Tip 5: Questions may present situations where lessons are recorded but not acted upon - this does not satisfy the principle. Lessons must be APPLIED, not just documented.
Tip 6: Look for answer options that mention reviewing previous project documentation, consulting experienced team members, or updating organizational knowledge bases - these all relate to this principle.
Tip 7: Remember that lessons include BOTH successes and failures. An answer suggesting only problems should be recorded would be incomplete.