The Basics of Project Evaluation and Lessons Learned

The first edition won the Project Management Institute's (PMI^R) David I. Cleland Project Management Literature Award. Following in the footsteps of its popular predecessor, this second edition provides an easy-to-follow, systematic approach to conducting lessons learned on a project. The research is this book is founded on four years of doctoral dissertation research and is supported by renowned experts in the field of evaluation. The concepts covered are applicable to all types of organizations that implement projects and need to conduct lessons learned.

Willis H. Thomas, PhD, PMP, CPT is a certified project manager and performance technologist who has been involved in organizational development and effectiveness across the pharmaceutical, telecommunications, information technology and security industries. Willis holds a PhD in Evaluation from Western Michigan University. The title of his dissertation while working at Pfizer was "A Metaevaluation of Lessons Learned Repositories: Evaluative Knowledge Management Practices in Project Management" Willis' Master's of Science in Human Resource Management is from National-Louis University. The title of his Master's thesis, while working at Xerox, was "The Impact of Sales Integration on Interpersonal Communication Affecting Sales Representatives Job Satisfaction." He began his career selling copiers to small businesses and transitioned to selling information systems. After leaving Xerox, he worked for Ameritech and sold telecommunications products and services. He later transitioned to Human Resources. A unique and challenging opportunity presented itself with Brinks. It was a diverse training and project management role supporting human resources, sales, operations and marketing. After building many programs, he became a consultant for five years and developed marketing programs, websites, and training programs for companies, including GTE, DNSE, ARCO, Frito Lay, JP Systems, ODS Networks, Citizens Communications, BT Office Products, Merlin Software Services, Itronix, Primedia Workplace Learning, Avon, Richland College, TXU Utilities, and others. His move to Michigan was prompted by a desire to enter the pharmaceutical industry due to significant changes in the telecommunications industry and complete a PhD in Evaluation at Western Michigan University. Joining Pfizer offered an unique opportunity to do both.

Willis' Bachelor's of Arts degree is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While there, he served as the editor for Datelines Student Newspaper and editor for West African Monsoons from Geocentric Satellites (Space Science and Engineering Department). He has earned and maintains a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) certification from the International SOciety of Performance Improvement (ISPI).