Project Review
Key Focus | Key Process Steps | Key Milestones | Important Things to Do Now
Key focus: Did we do what we said we would?
This is not really a phase at all, rather it should be an ongoing practice throughout the project. Many people characterize project reviews as a 'post implementation review', and when it is done it is often done poorly (or not at all). But it is an important thing to do, and provides a good chance to consider lessons learned. It is often more valuable to take time out to consider what is working for the project while it is still in progress, thus enabling improvements along the way.
In any case, reviews of any type tend to scare people so a non-threatening process is essential. A simple project review process is the one I learned at GE, called a 'Plus/Delta', it looks at what worked well and what should be changed for next time. It is easy to do, just decide on the categories for the review, e.g. budget, scope, schedule, quality, communication, etc. Then draw up a matrix, similar to the example provided, on a white board or flip chart. Now assemble an appropriate group of stakeholders and have them brainstorm.
A project review or post implementation review can be a very threatening process to many people. If there have been problems associated with the project then people may feel that speaking up could be unsafe. This is why I like the mindset of the 'plus/delta' model. Since it merely looks at would could be changed or done differently for the next project it is not as threatening as other review models.
Don't forget the old project management joke about the six stages of a project: (1) Enthusiasm, (2) Disillusionment, (3) Panic, (4) Search for the guilty, (5) Punishment of the innocent, (6) Reward of the non-participants. This joke, as with all jokes, holds some truth and the project review can be either a positive process to enhance future projects, or it can be a negative and punitive process. How positive the review process turns out to be really depends upon the nature of the project and its results, the people involved and the type of organisation.
Key Process Steps
- Customer feedback sessions
- Satisfaction surveys
- Formal post implementation reviews
- Document lessons learned
Key Milestones
- Post implementation review report
Important Things to Do Now
- Archive the project files
- Document your personal lessons learned for future reference
refer to Lessons Learned for more ideas
