Foreword - hdbk750210005

Lessons Learned Handbook:

DOE-HDBK-7502-95

Foreword

Purpose

The purpose of this Department of Energy (DOE) Lessons Learned Handbook is to

provide DOE and DOE contractor organizations with information that can be used to

modify existing lessons learned programs or to develop new programs. The

Handbook is divided into two volumes. Volume I (this volume) clarifies and

supplements the guidance included in the DOE Lessons Learned Technical Standard:

Development of Lessons Learned Programs, published in May 1995. Volume II, the

Handbook appendices, provide examples of documents from existing lessons learned

programs (e.g., procedures, program descriptions, transmittal documents, examples of

communications material, corrective actions tracking forms, and program reviews).

Volume II also includes industry sources of lessons learned, functional categories, and

frequently asked questions regarding the Lessons Learned List Service.

Background

This DOE Lessons Learned Handbook was developed with information from many

sources including methods and guidance implemented by site-specific lessons learned

programs, DOE Lessons Learned Process Improvement Team research and surveys, and

information gathered from DOE Offices.

Approach

There are many ways to develop a lessons learned program. This volume of the DOE

Lessons Learned Handbook is structured around four phases of program development:

Getting Started

Familiarization and Training

Program Implementation

Maintenance, Measurement and Continuous Improvement

The specific activities, milestones, and products that are included in each phase should

be determined internally. However, this Handbook will explain the general

characteristics of each of these phases and, in some cases, provide suggested

sequence and timing.

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