Lessons Learnt Matrix

Document insights from past projects—both successes and shortcomings

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The Lessons Learnt Matrix is a structured template that helps organizations document insights from past projects—both successes and shortcomings—so teams can improve future outcomes. This is a retrospective tool that captures what went well, what didn’t, and what should be changed or repeated.

Suitable for

Planning & Strategy

Description

Designed for cross-functional project retrospectives, this template prompts teams to reflect on completed work and capture critical insights. It includes fields for project name, revision date, team members, and a project summary. The core of the template guides users through answering key questions like:

  • What happened?
  • What went well?
  • What could have been done better?
  • What was learnt?
  • What actions are recommended?

It supports attachments for evidence or related documents, including optional formats like 5W2H analysis, and allows linking to other supporting documents.

Key Data Stored

  • Project Name
  • Revision Date
  • Project Description
  • Team Members
  • What Happened
  • What Went Well
  • What Could Have Been Done Better
  • What Was Learnt
  • Recommended Actions
  • Optional Attachments or Templates (e.g., 5W2H format)

Business Use Cases

  • Project Retrospectives – Run structured reviews after project completion to identify areas for improvement.
  • Knowledge Management – Capture organizational learning to avoid repeating mistakes and build institutional memory.
  • Compliance & Audits – Store documentation of how issues were handled and resolved.
  • Training New Teams – Use past lessons as reference material when onboarding new team members or planning new projects.

Why This Template is Powerful

  • Promotes Continuous Improvement – Encourages honest reflection and learning from both failures and successes.
  • Standardizes Retrospective Practices – Provides consistency in how post-project reviews are documented across the organization.
  • Supports Decision-Making – Learn from historical outcomes to improve future planning and execution.
  • Attach Supporting Documents – Enables attaching related files or forms like 5W2H analyses for more detailed context.
  • Reusable Across Teams – Works for any industry or team conducting structured retrospectives.

This template is a foundational tool for any organization focused on learning and growth through operational transparency and team reflection.