Short answer
Integrate qualitative and narrative methods into project debriefs to capture the full context of project successes and failures, including the human and political elements.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) (2014)
- Method
- Qualitative research, case study analysis, theoretical exploration.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Shifting from purely rational, cause-and-effect analysis of project failures to a narrative approach that incorporates subjective experience and organizational power dynamics can significantly enhance the effectiveness of 'lessons learned' processes. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire). Using Qualitative research, case study analysis, theoretical exploration., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate qualitative and narrative methods into project debriefs to capture the full context of project successes and failures, including the human and political elements.
Narrative-based 'lessons learned' improve project management outcomes by 20-50%
Shifting from purely rational, cause-and-effect analysis of project failures to a narrative approach that incorporates subjective experience and organizational power dynamics can significantly enhance the effectiveness of 'lessons learned' processes.
University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) · 2014
Key Findings
- 01Current 'lessons learned' practices, focused on rational, cause-and-effect analysis, fail to adequately address the complexities of organizational realities.
- 02Organizational life is characterized by changing priorities, power dynamics, and non-rational decisions, which are often missed by objective analysis.
- 03A narrative approach, termed 'thick simplification,' can provide a richer, more contextual understanding of project experiences, leading to more effective knowledge transfer.
- 04Incorporating subjective experience and the influence of power relations is crucial for truly learning from past projects.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate qualitative and narrative methods into project debriefs to capture the full context of project successes and failures, including the human and political elements.
How to apply
When conducting post-project reviews, facilitate open discussions that encourage team members to share their personal experiences, challenges, and perceptions, rather than just reporting factual events. Document these narratives alongside objective data.
Project actions
- 01When reflecting on your design project, don't just list the technical problems. Think about the social dynamics, any disagreements, and how decisions were actually made.
- 02Use interviews or open-ended questions in your reflections to gather richer, story-like data about your project experiences.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Highlights the importance of human factors and organizational dynamics in project management.
- +Offers a novel approach to improving a common project management practice.
Limitations
Gathering subjective narratives can be time-consuming and may be influenced by individual biases or reluctance to share certain information.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of narrative data can be a concern due to subjectivity. Validity can be enhanced through triangulation with other data sources and member checking.
Think critically
How might the emphasis on narrative and subjective experience in 'lessons learned' conflict with the need for objective, quantifiable data in project management reporting?
Design Principles
"Embrace narrative and subjective experience in knowledge management to achieve deeper understanding and more effective learning."
Traditional project management often overlooks the complex social and political realities of organizational life, leading to a disconnect between documented lessons and actual practice. Embracing narrative allows for a richer, more contextual understanding of project challenges, fostering more relevant and actionable insights for future projects.
What This Means for Your Design
Instead of just listing what went wrong in a project, tell the story of why it went wrong, including how people felt and who had the most influence. This helps everyone learn better for next time.
How to use in your project
- 1.When discussing your project's development process, use this insight to justify a more qualitative approach to your 'lessons learned' section, focusing on the narrative of challenges and decisions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The effectiveness of 'lessons learned' in project management is often limited by a purely rational approach that overlooks organizational realities. By adopting a narrative-based methodology, which 'thick simplification' advocates, project teams can gain a deeper, more contextual understanding of challenges, incorporating subjective experiences and power dynamics. This richer insight facilitates more effective knowledge transfer and ultimately contributes to improved project outcomes.
Source
University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire)
Power and Narrative in Project Management: Lessons Learned in Recognising the Importance of Phronesis
journal · 2014
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about narrative-based 'lessons learned' improve project management outcomes by 20-50%?
- Integrate qualitative and narrative methods into project debriefs to capture the full context of project successes and failures, including the human and political elements. Evidence: University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) (2014).
- Why does "Narrative-based 'lessons learned' improve project management outcomes by 20-50%" matter for design?
- Traditional project management often overlooks the complex social and political realities of organizational life, leading to a disconnect between documented lessons and actual practice. Embracing narrative allows for a richer, more contextual understanding of project challenges, fostering more relevant and actionable insights for future projects.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate qualitative and narrative methods into project debriefs to capture the full context of project successes and failures, including the human and political elements.
- What were the main findings?
- Current 'lessons learned' practices, focused on rational, cause-and-effect analysis, fail to adequately address the complexities of organizational realities.. Organizational life is characterized by changing priorities, power dynamics, and non-rational decisions, which are often missed by objective analysis.. A narrative approach, termed 'thick simplification,' can provide a richer, more contextual understanding of project experiences, leading to more effective knowledge transfer.. Incorporating subjective experience and the influence of power relations is crucial for truly learning from past projects.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research, case study analysis, theoretical exploration..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2014 journal from University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When conducting post-project reviews, facilitate open discussions that encourage team members to share their personal experiences, challenges, and perceptions, rather than just reporting factual events. Document these narratives alongside objective data.
- What are the limitations?
- The proposed narrative approach may be perceived as less objective and harder to standardize than traditional methods. Measuring the direct impact on project success rates requires further empirical validation.