7.2 Project Retrospective and Evaluation: Turning Experience into Insight

7.2 Project Retrospective and Evaluation

Managing a project well during execution is important—but what truly strengthens the next project is what happens after it ends: reflection and evaluation.

In this section, we’ll explore how to reflect not just on results, but also on the process, team, and organization. You'll learn how to identify repeatable successes and avoidable mistakes through structured methods.

Why Retrospectives Matter

Once a project ends, most team members quickly move on to the next task or assignment.
But skipping the retrospective often leads to:

• Unclear success factors that can’t be repeated
• Repeated mistakes or oversights
• Insights that stay personal and aren’t shared across the team or company

A retrospective is not about blaming the past; it's a strategic activity to improve future outcomes.

Four Dimensions of a Project Review

To get a holistic view of your project, use these four angles:

1. Results: Were the goals met? Quality, delivery, cost, satisfaction
2. Process: Was planning, progress tracking, and change management effective?
3. Team: Were collaboration, roles, and communication clear?
4. Environment: Were external factors like stakeholders, structure, and tools appropriate?

Looking at all four helps you move beyond “It went well / it didn’t” to discover deeper insights.

Evaluation Methods: KPT, 5 Whys, 360-Degree Feedback

KPT (Keep / Problem / Try)

• Keep: What went well and should be repeated
• Problem: What didn’t go well
• Try: Ideas for improvement

5 Whys

Identify root causes by asking “Why?” five times. This helps uncover the fundamental reasons behind problems.

360-Degree Feedback

Collect multi-perspective feedback from everyone involved to promote shared understanding and highlight team dynamics.

Using ActionBridge for Retrospectives

ActionBridge supports your retrospective with practical tools:

• Review task histories and comments to visualize decision flows
• Analyze pace and delays with burndown and Gantt charts
• Share retrospective templates (KPT format) as shared documents
• Collect honest feedback via anonymous comments or surveys

With these features, you can run fact-based, dialogue-driven reviews rather than relying on memory or opinion alone.

How to Make Retrospectives Stick

To avoid shallow or purely formal reviews, consider these tips:

• Schedule retrospectives as part of your closure process
• Involve the entire team, not just the PM
• Focus on constructive improvement, not fault-finding
• Apply feedback to future project templates and WBS

Summary: Retrospectives Spark Improvement

A retrospective isn’t about regretting the past—it’s about designing a better future.
Turning insights into shared team knowledge—not just personal lessons—is a hallmark of a strong, learning-oriented team.

→ Next, go to 7.3 Knowledge Transfer for Future Projects and explore how to capture and pass on learnings effectively.