Why can’t we get Lessons Learned to stick?

In the past decade, the impulse to “not re-invent the wheel” became “capturing and replicating Best Practices” which translated into IT based knowledge management solutions. As we all came to see, “Build it and they will come” failed to deliver on the promise. What is needed at this point is not more software, but a cultural adjustment.

The first customer of learning must be the team itself.

What drives successful re-use of knowledge is a culture that has good reason to value learning through experience. That comes from people using learning to succeed in their own work, not from capturing “lessons” for others. The question; When is a ‘Lesson Learned’ learned? points out that Lessons Learned must be proven in the world of action by producing improved results—before becoming knowledge likely to be sought out for re-use.

See that learning is part of leading.

The fastest path to a learning organization coming into being is leaders visibly and daily embodying learning themselves. When learning becomes a daily part of how leaders lead, through simple disciplines, a virtuous cycle is set in motion. But how? One proven process is the Action Review Cycle (ARC). The ARC came out of Signet’s study of an organization that has been hailed as “the world’s premiere learning organization.” Core to that organization’s success is this leader-led disciplined cycle of learning. The key elements of the cycle are shown above — a clearly communicated Intent, Before Action Reviews (BAR) and After Action Reviews (AAR).

Invest in learning where it matters.

No matter how efficient the process, deliberate learning requires some investment of time. The key is to invest that time where it will pay back many-fold. Learning for learning sake does not grow roots and becomes a flavor of the month or just another box to check. Signet’s senior consultants are skilled in helping sort out where learning is a wise investment of time, and how to conduct it efficiently.

How Signet can help

Every culture is unique, so Signet provides an easily customizable approach. Generally this includes a package of: Presentations of research findings and the Action Review Cycle methodology, an agility survey, key stakeholder Q&A meetings, skill-building tailored to each level of leader and employees involved, and virtual coaching. Please contact us to discuss your particular situation and needs.

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