PMP Practice Questions #162
Which of the following elements are essential components of a Lesson Learned Register?
A) Lessons Learned, Reported By, Issue Description, Mitigation Steps
B) Lessons Learned, Impact, Priority, Lesson Owner
C) Lessons Learned, Recommendations, Category, Recording Date
D) Lessons Learned, Corrective Actions, Risk Impact, Lesson Owner
Analysis
This question focuses on identifying the essential components of a lessons learned register. The lessons learned register is a key document used throughout a project, particularly during phase closure and project closure. It captures both positive and negative experiences to improve future project management practices. The analysis involves comparing various options and eliminating those that do not align well with the purpose and structure of a lessons learned register.
Analysis of Options
Option A: Lessons Learned, Reported By, Issue Description, Mitigation Steps:
- Analysis:
- Lessons Learned: A fundamental component of the register.
- Reported By: Useful for tracking the source of the lesson.
- Issue Description: Relevant for understanding the context of the lesson.
- Mitigation Steps: While mitigation is important, the term “mitigation” is more associated with risk management than lessons learned. It suggests a reactive approach rather than preventive or corrective.
So this option is good but not the best due to the potentially misleading term mitigation steps.
Option B: Lessons Learned, Impact, Priority, Lesson Owner
- Analysis:
- Lessons Learned: Essential component.
- Impact: Relevant for assessing the significance of the lesson.
- Priority: Not commonly associated with lessons learned; categorization would be more appropriate.
- Lesson Owner: The term is not typically used in the context of lessons learned. It’s more applicable to risk or benefit management.
This option is less suitable because “priority” and “lesson owner” are not ideal terms for a lessons learned register.
Option C: Lessons Learned, Recommendations, Category, Recording Date
- Analysis:
- Lessons Learned: Crucial for the register.
- Recommendations: Provides actionable steps for future projects, which is more appropriate than “mitigation steps”.
- Category: Helps in organizing lessons learned by different aspects such as schedule, cost, or scope.
- Recording Date: Important for tracking when the lesson was documented.
This option is the most comprehensive and aligns well with the structure of a lessons learned register.
Option D: Lessons Learned, Corrective Actions, Risk Impact, Lesson Owner
- Analysis:
- Lessons Learned: Essential.
- Corrective Actions: Relevant but the term “recommendations” is broader and more appropriate.
- Risk Impact: This term can be confusing as it mixes risk management terminology with lessons learned.
- Lesson Owner: Not a suitable term in this context.
This option is less suitable due to the terms “risk impact” and “lesson owner” which do not fit well with lessons learned documentation.
Conclusion: The best approach for documenting lessons learned is provided by Option C: “Lessons Learned, Recommendations, Category, Recording Date”. This option includes all the necessary elements for a comprehensive lessons learned register, ensuring that lessons are documented systematically and can be easily referenced and utilized in future projects. Options A and D include some relevant components but use less appropriate terminology, while Option B introduces terms that are not typically associated with lessons learned registers.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Process | Task 17: Plan and manage project/phase closure or transitions |
Topics Covered
- Lesson Learned
- Project Closure
