A Lessons Report is a vital management product within PRINCE2 7 that captures and documents the knowledge gained throughout a project's lifecycle. This report serves as a formal record of what worked well, what could be improved, and recommendations for future projects within the organization.
The…A Lessons Report is a vital management product within PRINCE2 7 that captures and documents the knowledge gained throughout a project's lifecycle. This report serves as a formal record of what worked well, what could be improved, and recommendations for future projects within the organization.
The Lessons Report is created at specific points during the project, typically at the end of each stage and at project closure. It forms part of the Progress practice, which focuses on establishing mechanisms to monitor and compare actual achievements against planned targets, providing a forecast of objectives and continued viability.
The purpose of the Lessons Report is to provoke action so that positive lessons are embedded into the organization's way of working, while negative lessons prompt process changes to avoid repeating mistakes. This contributes to continuous improvement across the organization's project management capability.
Key contents of a Lessons Report include the project context, a summary of lessons learned covering both successes and areas for improvement, recommendations for future action, and details of where these lessons might be applicable. The report draws information from the Lessons Log, which is maintained throughout the project to capture observations and experiences as they occur.
The Project Manager is responsible for producing the Lessons Report, though input comes from all team members and stakeholders who have valuable insights to share. The report is then reviewed by the Project Board and shared with corporate or programme management to ensure organizational learning takes place.
Within the Progress practice, the Lessons Report demonstrates accountability and transparency by showing how experiences have been captured and communicated. It supports the PRINCE2 principle of learning from experience, ensuring that each project contributes to organizational maturity and that future projects benefit from accumulated wisdom rather than repeating past errors.
Lessons Report in PRINCE2 7 Foundation
What is a Lessons Report?
A Lessons Report is a management product in PRINCE2 that captures and documents lessons learned during a project. It provides a record of what went well, what could have been done better, and recommendations for future projects. This report is produced during or at the end of a stage, and at the end of the project.
Why is the Lessons Report Important?
The Lessons Report is crucial because it:
• Enables organizational learning by transferring knowledge to future projects • Helps avoid repeating mistakes made in previous projects • Allows successful practices to be replicated • Supports continuous improvement within the organization • Provides valuable insights for the corporate or programme management • Contributes to the maturity of project management practices
How Does the Lessons Report Work?
The Lessons Report is derived from the Lessons Log, which is maintained throughout the project. The process works as follows:
1. Collection: Throughout the project, lessons are identified and recorded in the Lessons Log
2. Analysis: At appropriate points (end of stages or the project), lessons are reviewed and analyzed
3. Documentation: Relevant lessons are compiled into a Lessons Report
4. Distribution: The report is passed to corporate or programme management and relevant stakeholders
5. Action: Recipients can implement recommendations in future projects
When is the Lessons Report Created?
• During the Managing a Stage Boundary process (for stage-end reports) • During the Closing a Project process (for the final project lessons) • It may also be created after premature project closure
Key Contents of a Lessons Report
• Executive summary • Scope of the report (what areas it covers) • Lessons identified (both positive and negative) • Recommendations for future action • Review of how previous lessons were applied
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Lessons Report
Tip 1: Remember the distinction between the Lessons Log (ongoing record throughout the project) and the Lessons Report (formal report produced at specific points)
Tip 2: Know that the Lessons Report is created by the Project Manager and is intended for corporate or programme management
Tip 3: Understand that lessons should be sought from both internal and external sources at the start of a project
Tip 4: The Lessons Report supports the PRINCE2 principle of Learning from Experience
Tip 5: Be aware that the report includes both positive lessons (what worked well) and areas for improvement
Tip 6: Questions may ask about the timing of the Lessons Report - remember it is produced at stage boundaries and project closure
Tip 7: The Progress practice is responsible for capturing and reporting lessons
Tip 8: If a question mentions improving future projects or organizational learning, the Lessons Report is likely the relevant product
Common Exam Question Themes
• Identifying which management product captures lessons for future projects • Understanding who creates and receives the Lessons Report • Recognizing the difference between the Lessons Log and Lessons Report • Knowing when the Lessons Report is produced • Understanding how lessons contribute to organizational improvement