Is there a relationship between applying lessons learned and project success? A mixed method study of project managers in Ireland

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to discover if there is relationship between applying Lessons Learned (LL) and project success in the context of project management. In addition it will investigate the factors affecting the collection and dissemination of LL to determine what role these play in inhibiting the successful use of LL. This paper was built around Project managers (PMs) in Ireland. From this research recommendations are made to improve the use of LL and to avoid the barriers that impede the successful implementation of LL. There is very little research done on the direct impact of LL on project success particularly Ireland. The dissertation includes a mixed method approach to generate the data. The mixed method approach combines quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative research was compiled by the use of an electronic questionnaire. The qualitative research consisted of face to face interviews. This approach has given a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the research problem that either approach alone. The research findings correlate with both the primary and secondary sources of data to establish that there is a relationship between applying lessons learned and project success. The findings strongly suggest that the approach to how lessons learned are collected and disseminated needs to be modified to increase the benefits from applying lessons learned.