Many in the department have expressed interest in developing a statewide lessons learned system. The term "Lessons Learned" is defined as "knowledge gained from experience, successful or otherwise, for the purpose of improving future performance" (Construction Industry Institute, 1997).

Why did we develop a statewide system?

In today’s economic environment, management of knowledge is essential to delivering projects in an efficient and responsible manner. Research shows that implementing a Lessons Learned System can result in a substantial return on the investment. The return comes through having the means to manage and communicate organizational knowledge. Project time and cost reductions can be realized by implementing this knowledge into the proper phases of the project delivery process.

In Addition…

• Existing knowledge of best practices can be lost as people promote, retire, and quit.
• Regions, divisions, and specialty groups are often unaware of what others have already learned.
• Lessons can supply background for decisions made on projects, especially unique projects that have only been done a few times before.

How were the system’s processes, format, and categories determined?

There have been many efforts outlining lessons learned processes. The common elements of successful systems are collect, analyze, and implement. Some industry groups have designed very complex systems that require an extensive amount of resources and effort, not only to get a system started, but to also maintain. 

WSDOT conducted research on a variety of systems, transportation and otherwise. Some of the existing systems that were reviewed included NASA’s Lessons Learned Information System, Kentucky Transportation Center Lessons Learned System, the Environmental Division of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lessons Learned System, and the system created by Purdue University for the Indiana Department of Transportation. IPD also enlisted the help of the WSDOT Research Office to conduct a nationwide survey of transportation agency systems. The survey solicited information about existing systems, systems under development, and their future plans. In addition, research conducted by the University of Texas, University of New Mexico, and the Construction Industry Institute was reviewed for applicability.

In parallel of this research, the WSDOT Bridge and Structures/ACEC team developed a lessons learned database for bridge and structure related issues. The result of their effort was used as a starting point for the development of a statewide system for the project delivery program. WSDOT has met with regions, divisions and specialty groups to determine the systems format and categories. As the system is used it will also evolve. Categories, format, and processes will be updated as needed.

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