THEORY 61

WINSTON CHURCHILL ON THE VALUE OF POST-IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW

WHAT TO DO

• Forty years ago, one of the hot issues of the day was the failure of British industry to carry out post-implementation reviews of its decisions. This was blamed for many of its failures. Nothing much has changed in the intervening years. It is still the case that many companies undertake little or no post-implement reviews of decisions taken or strategies implemented. People argue that they don’t have the time to undertake such reviews. But I’m inclined to think it’s a case of self-preservation. They don’t want to be held accountable for poor decisions. This is a shame because by failing to review both their successes and failures they are foregoing a truly wonderful learning opportunity. Always undertake a review. Even if, the findings, ‘Are for your eyes only, Mr …’
• When reviewing a successful decision or strategy consider the following:
  • To what extent was the success due to unanticipated outside factors?
  • Would the decision have been a failure without these external factors?
  • Why didn’t I identify these external factors in my decision/strategy making process?
  • Did I maximise the benefits of these unexpected factors or was I slow to react to them?
  • How can I improve my data collection to minimise the chances that I miss similar information in the future?
  • What approaches, ideas and lessons (best practice) can I take from this successful decision/strategy, and apply in the future and share with colleagues?
• In the case of unsuccessful decisions and strategies:
  • To what extent did unforeseen events blow me off course?
  • Should I have been able to anticipate these unforeseen events? If so why didn’t I pick up on them? Was it to do with the process of data collection that I used or my own ego?
  • Did I spend enough time examining the risks associated with the decision or strategy and developing strategies to deal with them should they occur (see Theories 67–70)?
  • What lesson can I learn from the failure and pass on to colleagues?
• These evaluations don’t have to be formal or lengthy. However, you should make a note of the key findings in your learning journal. This will help you to improve future performance and add valuable data to your store of tacit knowledge.
• Finally always remember you can learn just as much from your failures as your successes.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

• Does the organisation have a policy of undertaking post-implementation reviews? If not, why not?
• Like surgeons, do I bury my mistakes or learn from them? (To be fair to surgeons they’ve always done both).