A FrameworkandFindings forLearning BasedProject Reviews
Catherine Vergopia · 2007
This paper contributes a framework forproject reviews. Theemphasis ofthis paper ison howtoincrease the learning thatoccurs withinproject reviews. Typical projects viewlearning as a lesson learned session attheendofthe project. We explore theorganizational learning andproject review literature todevelop an integrated framework. Finding fromworking NASA andtheLaunchServices Programareused todemonstrate theframework. A project manager can usethis papertobetter understand project reviews. I.INTRODUCTION Project organizations, aswithallorganizations, arefaced withcontinuously improving thequality oftheir products and services tocompeteinthecompetitive environment. The competitive environment includes theshift toa knowledge- basedsociety (18) andtheneedtoimprove knowledge faster thanthecompetition (17). Thekeytoquality isproducing theproducts andservices thecustomer desires. Quality fora project organization isdefined as meeting thecustomer's requirements within theproject's cost, schedule, andtechnical performance requirements. Consistently delivering quality projects arerelated totheproject manager's ability tomanage aproject. Thisability isbuilt overtimefromexperience on many projects. JohnVoeller, chief technology officer of Black& Veatch, reinforced theneedtounderstand howto learn fromproject experience whenhestated, Oneofthe mostdaunting difficulties forany professional services corporation istheability tolearn fromexperience (15). Learning istheprocessbywhichknowledge iscreated from experience andthepathbywhichimprovement takes place (3)(5).Peters andHomer(13)emphasize theneedfor project managerstolearn continuously. A setofprocessesis needed forsupporting learning among project teammembers throughout theproject's life-cycle notjust atproject closeout. Theconceptofthelearning organization hasbeen offered toemphasize theneedforcreating an environment to support learning throughout theorganization. A learning organization isanorganization continually expanding its capacity tocreateitsfuture (16, p. 14).Thisresearch focuses onunderstanding howproject managerscontinuously improve their project quality andperformance bybuilding knowledge through learning through thereview process. LBPRsoffer a mechanism toensureproject successand manage knowledge. Thisresearch addresses thequestion: How can organizational learning beintegrated into the project review processtolearn fromproject experiences to improve project knowledge andperformance throughout the life-cycle ofaprogram orproject?