FEMA's lessons learned process

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The lesson learned process at FEMA has its problems. A recent audit (Jan 2011) showed many issues, including a lack of a common understanding of what a good lesson looks like (the examples shown are mainly historical statements rather than lessons), lack of consistent application after action reviews, lack of use of facilitators from outside the region, limited distribution of the output, and loss of their lessons database when the server crashed.

However the capture and validation process, which I show below, is pretty good. 

Here's how they do it

FEMA Remedial Action Management Program Lessons Learned and Best Practices Process

Team Leader (e.g., Federal Coordinating Officer) schedules after-action review

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After-action review facilitator is appointed

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Lesson Learned/Best Practice Data Collection Forms are distributed to personnel

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Facilitator reviews completed forms

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Facilitator conducts after-action review

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Facilitator reviews and organizes lessons learned and best practices identified in after-action review

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Facilitator enters lessons learned and best practices into the program’s database

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Facilitator Supervisor reviews lessons learned and best practices

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Facilitator Supervisor forwards lessons learned and best practices to Program Manager

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Program Manager reviews lessons learned and best practices

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Program Manager distributes lessons learned and best practices to Remedial Action Managers