PMP · Question #836
During the development of a new project's definition, the project manager identifies that a similar project has recently been completed. What should the project manager do first?
The correct answer is C. Review the lessons learned from the previous project.. When a similar project has recently been completed, the project manager should first review its lessons learned to gain insights and avoid past mistakes.
Question
During the development of a new project's definition, the project manager identifies that a similar project has recently been completed. What should the project manager do first?
Options
- AArrange a knowledge-sharing session.
- BUse the project management plan from the previous project.
- CReview the lessons learned from the previous project.
- DReview the issue log from the previous project.
How the community answered
(22 responses)- A5% (1)
- B9% (2)
- C73% (16)
- D14% (3)
Why each option
When a similar project has recently been completed, the project manager should first review its lessons learned to gain insights and avoid past mistakes.
Arranging a knowledge-sharing session is a good idea but should follow an initial review of documented lessons learned.
Using the previous project's management plan directly might not be appropriate as project contexts differ; the lessons from it are more universally applicable.
Reviewing lessons learned from a similar completed project is a critical first step as it provides valuable insights into what worked well, what didn't, and why. This information helps the new project manager leverage successful strategies, avoid potential pitfalls, and streamline the project definition phase, significantly improving the chances of success for the current project. This ensures efficient knowledge transfer and application of past experience.
Reviewing the issue log is part of a deeper dive, but the lessons learned summary provides a higher-level understanding of what was learned from those issues.
Concept tested: Leveraging organizational process assets (lessons learned)
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok/current
Topics
Community Discussion
5
Brenda K.Mar 2, 2026C is your quick win here, maybe 20 seconds tops. Lessons learned is always the first stop when a prior project exists, because it gives you the pitfalls and successes without you having to dig through a full project management plan or issue log. A sounds nice but it is a follow up action after you have actually reviewed what went wrong. Flag B and D as time sinks if you are tempted, because they are too narrow and skip the knowledge transfer step entirely.
Ingrid P.Mar 5, 2026Agreed on C, and worth a flashcard pairing: lessons learned = start point when prior project exists, project management plan = too broad for knowledge transfer. I would nitpick that B is not exactly a time sink so much as a trap for people who confuse risk identification with organizational knowledge reuse.
Imani T.Mar 17, 2026C. Lessons learned is always first, but do they check OPA before or after?
Ingrid P.Mar 7, 2026I first leaned toward A because sharing knowledge sounds collaborative, but the question asks what to do first and you need to review the lessons learned before you can figure out what is worth sharing. Made a card for this: stem says recently completed plus first action equals lessons learned, with a recall interval of 10 days since I mixed it up.
Grace U.Feb 24, 2026C is the right call here, though A is tempting because sharing sounds collaborative. The thing is, you want to review the lessons learned first so you actually know what is worth sharing and what applies to your current project.