Lean Six Sigma Refresher
Lessons Learned Report
A Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Lessons Learned Report is a structured document created at the end of a project to capture insights, successes, and challenges. It’s a critical part of the Control phase of DMAIC, ensuring that improvements are sustained and that future projects benefit from past experiences.
📄 Purpose
Knowledge Transfer: Shares what worked well and what didn’t with future teams.
Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to refine methods, tools, or communication.
Accountability: Documents decisions, outcomes, and stakeholder feedback.
Organizational Learning: Builds a repository of best practices and pitfalls to avoid.
🧩 Typical Contents of a Lessons Learned Report
Project Overview
Title, sponsor, team members, scope, and objectives.
Key Successes
What went well (e.g., effective stakeholder engagement, strong data collection plan, impactful solutions).
Challenges/Barriers
Issues faced (e.g., resistance to change, data quality problems, resource constraints).
Resolutions/Workarounds
How challenges were addressed and what could be done differently next time.
Tools & Methods Effectiveness
Which Lean Six Sigma tools were most useful (e.g., Pareto charts, FMEA, control charts).
Stakeholder Feedback
Insights from sponsors, process owners, and team members.
Recommendations for Future Projects
Practical advice for similar initiatives.
Sustainability Notes
How improvements will be monitored and maintained.
✅ Value in Practice
Builds organizational memory so teams don’t repeat mistakes.
Strengthens future project planning by providing real-world insights.
Reinforces a culture of continuous improvement.
Provides evidence for audits, certifications, or executive reviews.