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Free template, copy and use

Free lessons learned template

A lessons learned review turns a finished project into advice for the next one. This template separates what happened from why, and ends with recommendations someone owns.

Let Acta fill it in

Paste it into Google Docs, Word, Notion or an email. Replace the [brackets].

Updated by the Acta team

Lessons learned template

Project

Project: [name] | Dates: [start] to [end] | Sponsor: [name]

Goals and results

Goal: [ ] | Result: [ ]

What went well

[Point] | Why it worked: [ ]

What didn't go well

[Point] | Root cause: [ ]

Recommendations

[Recommendation] | Owner: [name] | Apply to: [process / next project]

Where this is stored

[Link to the shared lessons library]

How to use this template

  • Hold it within two weeks of the end, while memories are fresh.
  • Focus on causes and processes, not people.
  • Make each recommendation specific enough to act on.

Skip the typing

Acta records your Zoom, Google Meet and Teams meetings, with or without a bot, and writes the notes for you: a summary, decisions, next steps and action items with owners, next to the transcript. Free for 15 days.

Try Acta free Incident post-mortem template

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Frequently asked questions

Related:

What is a lessons learned meeting?

A review at the end of a project to capture what worked, what didn't and what to do differently next time.

Is lessons learned the same as a post-mortem?

Similar. A post-mortem usually follows an incident; lessons learned reviews a whole project.

Is this lessons learned template free?

Yes. Copy it into Google Docs, Word, Notion or an email and use it as often as you like. No sign-up needed.

Can AI fill in the lessons learned for me?

Yes. Acta records the meeting on Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, with or without a bot, or in person with the mobile app, and writes the notes, decisions and action items with owners afterwards. Anything the meeting didn't cover is left out, not made up.