Learn from Experience

Learn from Experience Principle in PRINCE2

What is the Learn from Experience Principle?

The Learn from Experience principle is one of the seven fundamental principles in PRINCE2 methodology. It emphasizes that project teams should learn from previous experiences, whether from their own past projects or from others. This principle recognizes that organizations and teams that fail to learn from their experiences are destined to repeat the same mistakes.

Why is the Learn from Experience Principle Important?

This principle is crucial because:

• It prevents repeating past mistakes
• It builds organizational knowledge
• It improves project efficiency
• It enhances decision-making
• It contributes to continuous improvement
• It saves time and resources

How the Learn from Experience Principle Works

In PRINCE2, this principle is applied throughout the project lifecycle:

1. Project initiation: During the Starting Up a Project process, teams should review lessons from previous similar projects.

2. Lesson identification: Throughout the project, lessons should be actively identified and documented.

3. Lesson logs: PRINCE2 mandates maintaining a lessons log as an essential management product.

4. Regular reviews: End stage assessments and other review points should include reflection on lessons learned.

5. Project closure: The Closing a Project process includes creating a Lessons Report for future projects.

6. Corporate knowledge base: Lessons should be incorporated into organizational standards and guidelines.

How to Implement the Learn from Experience Principle

• Create and maintain a Lessons Log throughout the project
• Schedule regular lessons learned sessions
• Make lessons a formal agenda item in key meetings
• Consult historical data at the beginning of projects
• Create a project knowledge repository
• Encourage open and honest reporting
• Allocate time for reflection and improvement

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Learn from Experience

1. Recognize the principle: Be able to identify this principle among the seven PRINCE2 principles.

2. Understand its application: Know how this principle applies at different stages of a project.

3. Know the management products: Be familiar with Lessons Log and Lessons Report.

4. Connect to roles: Understand who is responsible for capturing and sharing lessons (Project Manager maintains the Lessons Log, but everyone contributes).

5. Identify key triggers: Know when lessons should be reviewed or recorded (project start, end of stages, project closure).

6. Relate to tailoring: Understand how the principle influences tailoring decisions.

7. Look for scenarios: In scenario-based questions, identify opportunities to apply this principle.

8. Watch for negative examples: Recognize when a scenario shows failure to apply this principle.

Common Exam Scenarios

• Questions asking which principle is being violated when a team repeats mistakes from past projects
• Scenarios asking what should happen during project initiation related to past experiences
• Questions about the correct management products for capturing lessons
• Scenarios describing a project manager who neglects to review past lessons

Remember: The Learn from Experience principle connects strongly with other principles, particularly Continued Business Justification (as lessons help improve value) and Defined Roles and Responsibilities (clarity on who manages lessons).