ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Leading and managing projects
At Corvane Council, a post-completion review of a failed housing-benefit software project is being planned. Staff fear that the review will be used to identify and punish those responsible. Which approach would best help the review achieve its main purpose of organisational learning?
The review should be run on a blame-free basis, led by an independent person, and should concentrate on root causes and lessons. People then give honest information and the organisation can improve future projects. Restricting it to the project manager, to cost and time figures, or delaying it would undermine learning.
- ARun the review as a blame-free exercise focused on causes and lessons, led by someone independent of the project teamCorrect
- BRestrict the review to the project manager, who is accountable and best placed to explain events
- CLimit the review to comparing final cost and duration with budget, since these are objective measures
- DDelay the review until all project staff have been reassigned so that they cannot be affected
Explanation
Learning requires honest information, which is more likely when the review is blame-free and objective, and independence reduces bias. Relying only on the project manager gives a one-sided view. Comparing only cost and time ignores benefits and causes. Delaying until staff disperse loses knowledge and the opportunity to learn.
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